PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — It's only about 13 miles across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, but for those who use it every day, that bridge means the difference between getting home and not.

Last week when the weather got rough, all eyes were on the Skyway.

On Friday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol had placed restrictions on semis and other high profile vehicles. Then when the winds really kicked up, FHP closed the bridge for most of the day — not opening until just past 5 p.m.

Real Time Traffic Expert Chuck Henson gets calls and questions when the bridge closes. Here is what you need to know about the process.

Anytime there is a sustained wind of 40 mph, the bridge will close. We didn't have that on Friday, but the wind gusts reached speeds well over that, so that's why FHP started with only high-sided vehicle restrictions and then moved to close the bridge.

Visibility is also a big issue across the skyway. This is entirely up to the highway patrol's discretion. According to Sgt. Steve Gaskins, there is no minimum criteria for visibility.  That would include, fog, low clouds or reduced visibility due to storms.

As for when the bridge reopens, it stands to reason that when conditions improve the bridge opens. However, many times the state will hold off opening the bridge even when you may think it's OK to travel, based on what their weather experts predict.

It is very labor intensive to close the bridge. The FHP doesn't take it lightly and wants to make sure everyone who uses the bridge is safe at all times.