San Francisco Bay area residents, grab your umbrellas because rain is making a return this weekend. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a frigid front will hit the region on Saturday, causing light to moderate showers.

The Area Forecast Discussion from the NWS Forecast office digs deeper into the details, predicting gusty winds and cooler temperatures to accompany the rain. The NWS also signals a dry weather comeback on Sunday, followed by a gradual warming trend as the week progresses. Meanwhile, Friday will see temperature variances across the region, with places like Pt. Reyes scraping by at a nippy 56 degrees and Santa Rosa basking in almost 80-degree warmth.

The NWS also discusses a "997 mb, vertically stacked low pressure system" near the Gulf of Alaska that's slated to trundle southeast towards us, driven by a robust 150 kt jet stream. We're talking about a significant weather shift for Bay Area locals, the likes of which haven't been seen since, possibly, a cold wave back in May 1988.

Beyond the weekend, it appears the sun will have its day once again. "Ridging from subtropical high pressure builds in Sunday," the NWS states, promising a shift to the typical coastal trough pattern by mid-next week. This means a return to dry weather and temperatures that could embrace the low 70s along the coast and even venture into the 80s inland. So, while Saturday might dampen spirits with its downpours and chilly air, brighter skies are just over the horizon.

For those concerned about aviation and marine interests, NAV warnings come into full force. Flight paths may be affected as the front's gusty southwesterly winds pick up, with the potential for up to 40-knot gusts. As for mariners, expect a choppy time at sea with Gale force gusts in certain zones and rain to sprinkle the waters by Saturday. It's safe to say that it's going to be an interesting weekend for the Bay area with Mother Nature playing her ever-fickle hand.