High Wind Advisories on I-8 and Major Lunar New Year Closures in Kearny Mesa

High Wind Warning for East County Commuters

Good morning, San Diego. For those heading out this Sunday, February 8, 2026, traffic patterns are being influenced by a combination of high-desert winds and significant cultural festivities. Caltrans has issued a high wind advisory for Interstate 8, specifically impacting the stretch from Alpine to the San Diego/Imperial County Line. Officials are strongly recommending that drivers of high-profile vehicles, including campers, trailers, and permit loads, avoid this route until conditions settle. The gusts in the mountain passes can create hazardous conditions for larger vehicles, so please exercise extreme caution if you must travel east.

Local Traffic: Lunar New Year and Gaslamp Events

The most significant local traffic impact today is the 'Convoy Rising' Lunar New Year celebration in the Kearny Mesa area. The event is scheduled from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, but motorists should expect heavy congestion and limited parking along Convoy Street and surrounding arteries starting early in the afternoon. This landmark cultural festival is expected to bring thousands to the district, potentially causing delays on the I-805 and SR-163 off-ramps near Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.

• Gaslamp Quarter: The Gaslamp Artisan Market is in effect today from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Specific closures are active on the 400 and 500 blocks of Fifth Avenue, between Market Street and J Street. Island Avenue is also barricaded between Fourth and Fifth Avenues.
• Balboa Park: With San Diego Museum Month offering half-price admission throughout February, the parking lots near the Prado and the San Diego Zoo are filling up significantly faster than usual for a Sunday morning. Expect slow-moving traffic on Park Boulevard.

Public Transit Alerts and Detours

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has several active alerts for Sunday riders that may affect your commute time:

• Route 3 Detour: Due to ongoing construction, Route 3 is experiencing a stop closure on Market Street between 4th Avenue and 10th Avenue today until 4:00 PM. Passengers traveling toward UCSD are advised to use alternate stops at Market Street & Park Boulevard or 7th Avenue & F Street.
• Grossmont Station: Elevators at the Grossmont Trolley Station remain out of service for mechanical repairs. If you require elevator access, MTS suggests using Bus Route 852 as a shuttle between the platform and the upper levels.
• Schedule Reminders: Commuters are reminded that significant schedule adjustments for 26 routes—including Routes 2, 4, 8, 9, and 12—took effect recently. Ensure you check your updated Sunday timetable on the PRONTO app to avoid long waits at the station.

South Bay Roadwork Awareness

While major connector closures on the I-805 and SR-54 concluded earlier this week, drivers in the South Bay should remain alert for ongoing long-term construction projects. Auxiliary lane additions between H Street and Telegraph Canyon Road are currently underway. While through-lanes remain open, drivers may encounter narrowed lanes and shifting traffic patterns. Always adhere to the reduced speed limits in these active work zones to ensure the safety of highway crews.