Atmospheric river storm to bring rain to Bay Area after mostly dry January

Sharing is caring!

A wet weather trend is returning to the Bay Area starting on the last day of January, after the month was largely dry.

“The storm door opens on Friday allowing for an atmospheric river to set up over the area,” the National Weather Service issued a statement from its San Francisco office.

The weather system that is moving into the area on Friday and Saturday is the first of several systems, according to forecasters.

Jessica Burch, a meteorologist for the Bay Area for CBS News, says rain is predicted to begin Friday morning in the North Bay and move southward throughout the day. The Bay Area will have another round of rainy weather on Saturday morning following a reprieve late Friday, with rainy spells lasting throughout the afternoon.

More rain is predicted for Sunday and Monday of next week, continuing the pattern of rainy weather.

The Santa Cruz Mountains and the North Bay’s heaviest areas could receive over three inches of rain by late Sunday. San Francisco is predicted to receive more than an inch and a half of rain, while San Jose is predicted to receive more than half an inch.

In the meantime, it is anticipated that the forthcoming atmospheric river would provide much-needed snowfall to the Sierra. Snow levels will start at about 5,000 feet on Friday morning and rise to 6,000–7,000 feet on Friday evening, according to forecasters at the weather service’s Sacramento office.

This weekend, “significant amounts” of snow might fall in the areas surrounding Donner Summit, with higher peaks potentially receiving two feet or more. From Monday through Wednesday, the Sierra is predicted to see more snowfall.

Tim Fang works for CBS Bay Area as a digital producer. Tim, a resident of the Bay Area, joined the digital staff in 2006 and has been with the CBS Bay Area newsroom for over 20 years.