The Bay Area is soaking wet today, and it isn't letting up. The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued multiple Flood Advisories on X earlier today, for parts of Northern California including Napa, Sonoma, Alameda, and Contra Costa counties, as well as Marin and San Francisco counties. The advisories warned residents of "urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall," which is expected to continue until mid-morning.
Urban and Small Stream Flooding Caused By Excessive Rainfall Is Expected.. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/4flcrCm6II
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) December 18, 2023
According to the National Weather Service, "Between 0.2 and 0.6 inches of rain have fallen," with additional rainfall amounts of "0.3 to 0.5 inches" expected in certain areas. Areas such as Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco are among those expected to get an unwelcome drenching. The same sources are cautioning locals to "turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads," reminding us that most flood deaths happen in vehicles.
As the skies opened up Sunday and continued to pour down Monday, cities scrambled to respond to the deluge. Forecasters are expecting strong showers, potential thunderstorms, and gusty southerly winds. The National Weather Service’s forecast discussion mentioned "widespread showers with some thunderstorm potential," not letting up until the afternoon.
Looking ahead, while Tuesday's rains are expected to be less intense, rainfall will be more prolonged, and by Wednesday, the forecast remains uncertain, with heavier showers possibly moving south of Golden Gate. The weather service's area forecast discussion explains, "The long term forecast is complex...it will just seem like a prolonged rainy week," signifying a wet pattern set to camp over the region for several days.
The recent storm systems have also riled up coastal waters, prompting marine advisories including a Small Craft Advisory and Gale Warnings along certain parts of the coast. The weather service warns of "gale force wind gusts" and "a large SW swell," with significant wave heights reaching up to 12 ft, representing rough conditions for maritime activities.
