After a largely dry January, an atmospheric river storm on Friday marks the return of wet weather to the Bay Area, prompting the issuance of a Flood Watch for the whole area.
All nine counties are under the flood watch, which is in force from Friday at noon until Sunday at 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
First Alert Weather: Current conditions, warnings, and maps for your area from CBS News Bay Area
“Excessive rainfall”
Overwhelming rainfall is predicted for the area. By Sunday afternoon, 1-3 inches of rain are predicted to fall throughout the cautioned area, with locally greater totals of up to 5 inches in the higher altitudes, according to a statement from the weather service.
From 12 PM on Friday until 10 PM on Sunday, the following counties are under a flood watch: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma. You should keep an eye on upcoming forecasts and stay vigilant for any potential flood warnings or advisories.HIfq8lF1iX #CAwxpic.twitter.com
It is advised that residents keep an eye on forecasts and be vigilant for any potential flood alerts. Residents who live in flood-prone locations should be ready to act if flooding occurs.
Finding an umbrella and rain gear, as well as clearing leaves and debris from storm drains, are preparation advice. Drivers should use headlights when driving, inspect their tires and wiper blades, and get ready for lengthier trips. It is never safe for drivers to travel on flooded roads.
According to a post on X by the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab, the stronger second system is predicted to drop more snow after the weekend showers, resulting in a total expected mix of snow and rain precipitation volumes of 12-15″ with up to seven feet of snow accumulating by Tuesday.
With a #snowsandwich (snow-rain-snow) projected through Tuesday, there will likely be 12 to 15 inches of precipitation!By Tuesday evening, there might be seven feet of snowfall. Rain will soak some of that on Saturday and Sunday, but there will be a lot of rain after that. UHCnEFrfZo 1/2pic.twitter.com
First atmospheric river
Early on Friday morning, the North Bay experienced its first round of rain. While the Bay Area may receive up to half an inch of rain on Friday, forecasters said the rain should move southward during the day, starting with an initial 0.5″ to 1.5″ in the North Bay.
Saturday is predicted to see more rain, with the most intense downpours occurring in the morning and afternoon. Rainfall in the North Bay is expected to be more concentrated and lighter on Sunday.
According to CHP, chain restrictions will be implemented on I-80 at Donner Summit just before 11 a.m. Friday due to the storm system’s substantial snowfall in the Sierra.
Monday is predicted to bring more heavy rain.
Dry January
The Bay Area will see its first weather system in weeks on Friday. The last notable rainfall in the area was on January 3, when 0.49 inches fell in Santa Rosa, 0.2 inches in Oakland, and 0.18 inches in San Francisco, according to the meteorological service.
Although one may anticipate that Northern California’s unusually dry January would significantly affect the area’s water supply, officials report that the majority of reservoir levels are still above average.
According to Jeffrey Mount of the PPIC Water Policy Center, “Shasta and Oroville are well above their historical averages,” considering the state’s largest reservoirs. We’re approximately average, and at the moment, our reservoirs are in excellent condition. The only thing is that. even in the state’s arid regions.”
Emergency preparations
In anticipation of the potentially devastating winter storms, California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state’s Office of Emergency Services said that staff and resources will be sent throughout Northern California.
We’re sending more people and resources to communities across NorCal in preparation for a possibly severe winter storm.California is keeping an eye on the effects of the weather and coordinating with local officials to get ready in advance.Download the most recent version here: https://t.co/gIKZPSxNaVpic.twitter.com/s6fqu3PuyK
The state is preparing staff and equipment to handle the expected severe rains and snow, including snowplows, backhoes, and storm drain clearing equipment, in addition to providing sandbags for people in regions where flooding is possible.
Up to 8 inches of rain could fall in certain areas of northern Sonoma County over the course of the next week, putting the North Bay at the most danger of receiving more rainfall.
The Ready.CA.Gov website offers more details on what locals can do to get ready for severe storms.
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.