Bay Area Faces Another Storm: Rainfall and Wind Expected Soon

UPDATE: The Bay Area is bracing for another storm as weather experts predict widespread rain and gusty winds beginning this weekend. After a powerful atmospheric river delivered over 5 inches of rain in some areas just days ago, the region is set for more precipitation as early as Sunday evening.

Friday morning brought a brief respite with calm conditions following Thursday’s chaotic weather. The National Weather Service reported that while the rain has paused, many areas remain damp, creating a “calm before the storm” scenario. “It’s kind of looking mostly dry,” said Dalton Behringer from the National Weather Service. “But we’ll see scattered showers, primarily in the Central Coast, and a lot of people may see some sun.”

However, this reprieve is short-lived. Significant rain is expected to return on Saturday, particularly in the southern parts of the Bay Area. Behringer emphasizes that the intensity will not match the previous storm but will still impact the entire region.

The most recent storm wreaked havoc across the Bay, with the heaviest rainfall recorded in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where Ben Lomond received 5.33 inches. Areas of Sonoma County reported over 4.5 inches, while downtown Oakland and San Francisco International Airport measured about 1.5 inches. In contrast, regions like Livermore and San Jose saw significantly less, under 1 inch, due to rain shadow effects typical of atmospheric rivers.

Looking ahead, weather forecasts indicate that moisture from the south will combine with low pressure moving in from the northwest, leading to stormy conditions by Sunday night. Behringer warns that this rain will arrive quickly but will be followed by a brief break on Monday and Tuesday. Another storm system is expected to hit the region again on Wednesday and Thursday.

Residents are advised to prepare for potentially hazardous conditions as the Bay Area continues to experience a persistent wet weather pattern. “We’re in that wet weather pattern,” Behringer noted, adding uncertainty about how long it will last. “We anticipate that it’s going to remain an active one.”

Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops. The National Weather Service encourages residents to stay informed and take precautions as storms approach.