Remember: sunscreen and a fire extinguisher

San Francisco doesn't get to enjoy too many days of sun and warmth, which is why we like to bask in those two or three days a year. Sadly, the North Bay had to blemish this beautiful morning.

Some folks in San Francisco reported seeing nasty smoke casting a pall over the city, which firefighters traced back to multiple grass fires in the North Bay. Hot temperatures and falling trees are fueling these sprawling fires -- and the slight winds are sending the smoke our way.

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Caltrans in the stone age

No need to cancel your day trip to Marin. Highway 101 has reopened after being closed for more than three hours when some huge ass boulders fell, striking cars and blocking traffic.

According to press reports, rocks, measuring three to four-feet in diameter, fell just before 5 a.m. onto Highway 101, right outside Marin's Waldo Grade. The rocks hit an SUV and other cars. Thankfully, nobody was hurt.

According to Golden Gate Bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie "We've had rockslides all along here over the years. This one is pretty significant in that it shut down two lanes. Our guys tried to move the rocks with their tow trucks but we're not able to do it. "

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Griz415 via YouTube

The cops vs. Kevin Clark

Some 150 people who are really pissed at the police marched through the city's Mission District last night accusing the SFPD of using a little too much force against an 18-year-old San Francisco man.

The protest, which was sparked by a recent YouTube video showing two cops "pushing Kevin Clark into a storm grate," started out just as you expect a protest to start out in the Mission: lots of walking, chanting, anti-cop posters, and lots of police standing by ready for action.

And then the rain fell, washing all protesters away.

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Tis the season

The world hasn't ended, but it certainly sucks, especially if you are trying to fly out of SFO today.

The airport is reporting not just delays but massive flight cancellations, and you have the rainy weather to thank for it. NBC reports that more than 60 flights have been canceled -- and the number is still growing.

"Lots of the flights are very full today, so they will continue to operate albeit somewhat delayed," SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said. "I think the day will really show based on how the weather comes in and the severity of the rain will really determine how long the delays are."

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On the brighter side ... nudists hate the rain

More rain is set to fall on San Francisco starting tonight storms after a short and sorta sunny reprieve the last two days.

"The San Francisco Department of Public Works is getting ready for the expected rains -- clearing catch basins, checking for vulnerable trees -- and we hope the public can help out, too," DPW Director Mohammed Nuru said today.

So here's what you should do to stay dry and safe:

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The Eggplant via Flickr

Happy Friday

(Update 9:30 a.m.) Those of you relying on public transit this morning aren't faring much better than drivers on the wet roadways. Muni is reporting "significant delays" for all inbound trains after a mechanical issue on a train at the Forrest Hill station essentially brought service to a screeching halt. There are surface shuttles for those of you trying to make it to downtown from West Portal. "We're trying to clear it as soon as possible," said Muni Spokesman Paul Rose.

(Original story 8:30 a.m.) That big rainstorm everyone's been waiting for has finally arrived -- and it's wet.

According to press reports, the wet, windy weather already knocked out the lights on both the Richmond-San Rafael and the Bay Bridges, triggering freeway spin-outs early Friday morning.

The lights on the Richmond Bridge were back on by 4:30 a.m. However, as of 6:30 a.m., the lights on the Bay Bridge were still out. A high-wind warning has also been issued for the entire span of the Bay Bridge.

So drive carefully today.

See also: Here's How to Prepare for the Torrential Rain

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Stop smiling

Yesterday afternoon's sunny skies were nothing more than a calm before the storm -- literally. We're now bracing for a second, more powerful rainstorm this evening, which could cause mild flooding in parts of the Bay Area.

The city earlier this week issued advice to residents on prepping for these storms; crews have been placing sandbags near Folsom and 17th streets, a low-lying area in San Francisco. In addition, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission crews have been removing sand from Ocean Beach after a stormwater discharge closed the beach last week.

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Plus rain

The much-anticipated rainstorm has landed -- and not even the worst of it.

Of course, those folks trapped in the air, trying to land at SFO might feel differently right about now. Airport officials are reporting major delays for arriving flights of up to three-and-a-half hours.

In addition, 20 flights heading to and from airports in Orange County, Monterey, Santa Barbara and other West Coast destinations have been canceled, according to SFO officials.

See also: Here's How to Prepare for the Torrential Rains That Will Hit San Francisco This Week

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The Eggplant via Flickr

It'll be a good excuse to sleep all weekend

As you already know, heavy rains and strong winds on their way to San Francisco. So enjoy your last few moments of dry land while you can. Also, spend this time to prepare yourself for something bigger than a light West Coast drizzle.

The Department of Public Works has been kind enough to start clearing catch basins and removing dangerous tree limbs before the storm.

Meteorologists are expecting heavy rains and high winds to shower the Bay Area through Sunday.

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If you were outdoors enjoying the unusually warm weather in the Bay Area last night, perhaps you experienced the other surprise: that really loud, bright boom that everyone is talking about (on the Internet, of course).

As we are all eagerly awaiting the Orionid shower, which is happening this week, it seemed only fair for people to believe that that shocking sighting last night was indeed the expected gift from outer space.

But alas, scientists prove us wrong again. According to the professional star gazers, that the fiery show you saw might have been a meteor, but it definitely did not come from Orion (or from Chevron's refinery, for that matter).
 

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