Frosty forecast for New Year’s fireworks

Heavy winds that caused widespread power outages and road and transit closures in the Bay Area on Tuesday are expected to weaken today just in time for San Francisco’s New Year’s Eve fireworks show.

Pyro Spectaculars’ fireworks show producer Jeff Thomas said this morning that he’s confident the show will go on despite the strong winds that inundated the region Tuesday.

According to the National Weather Service, winds are forecast to weaken tonight, with winds around 5 to 7 mph after midnight. Clear skies are expected, with the temperature in San Francisco reaching as low as 39 degrees.

Patchy frost is forecast for after 10 p.m., according to the weather service. Thomas, who has been producing pyrotechnic shows for more than four decades, said that fog is not expected to obscure the fireworks being launched at midnight from a barge in the Bay.

New Year’s Eve revelers heading to the waterfront to watch the fireworks or those heading out for a night on the town are advised to wear extra layers since temperatures are expected to be in the 30s tonight around the Bay Area.

Temperatures tonight are forecast to reach as low as 35 degrees in Oakland and 33 degrees in San Jose, according to the weather service. Thomas said if winds unexpectedly strengthen tonight, the U.S. Coast Guard and the barge operator will determine whether or not conditions are safe enough to allow the show to go on.