The Bay Area had more rain, high gusts, and floods Tuesday due to an atmospheric river, and there was a growing likelihood of thunderstorms later in the afternoon.
During its daily prediction discussion, the National Weather Service stated that the Bay Area was “now in the cross-hairs of the atmospheric river” and that rain was moving southward from the North Bay to the Santa Cruz Mountains along the storm front’s leading edge.
San Francisco has seen rainfall rates of up to more than half an inch per hour, and Tuesday’s rain was predicted to intensify throughout the day.
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“As the cold front moves through during the day Tuesday, the rain rates will increase significantly as the cold, dense airmass lifts the warm, moist air mass, wringing out the atmospheric sponge,” the debate on forecasts stated. “This effect will be enhanced along the windward side of the coastal mountains.”
According to the Weather Service, the rain was causing many flood advisories for small stream and urban flooding throughout the northern East Bay, San Francisco, and the North Bay. The Russian River at Guerneville was now predicted to reach minor flood status on Wednesday morning, while the Green Valley Creek near Martinelli Road in Forestville was at moderate flood stage and rising in Sonoma County.
According to the Weather Service, reports of flooding in cities and on roads were also being triggered by heavier bands of rain that were moving through the Bay Area.
The Bay Area experienced significant wind gusts on Tuesday, and through the afternoon, the Monterey Bay region and higher elevations experienced even stronger wind gusts.Until 11 p.m. on Tuesday, the Central Coast, the Salinas and Carmel Valleys, the Hollister Area, the Santa Clara Valley and eastern hills, the East Bay and San Francisco Bay shoreline, and the Santa Cruz Mountains were all under a wind advisory.
Additionally, the Weather Service released a thunderstorm outlook, warning that through Tuesday night, there is a 10% or higher risk of thunderstorms in the Bay Area and Northern Monterey Bay districts. According to the agency, the most likely time for thunderstorms to occur south of San Jose is between 3 and 6 p.m. Lightning, tiny hail, strong gusts, and localized flooding are all risks associated with thunderstorms. The Weather Service warned of the possibility of water spouts off the shore as well.
Although it looks weaker than the present atmospheric river, another moisture plume and low pressure system was predicted to reach the coast and travel inland on Thursday, after the storm was predicted to break on Wednesday. On Friday, the Bay Area will dry out once more, and as the clouds begin to lift over the weekend, some areas may see nightly lows that fall back into the 30s.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.