The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued multiple advisories as the San Francisco Bay Area gears up for a mix of weather conditions, including a dense fog advisory and minor coastal flooding due to high tides on Saturday morning. Travelers can expect challenging post-Christmas commutes as the area braces for an "active pattern continuing into the New Year" with heavy rainfall expected to kick in by mid-next week, as reported by the NWS.
Residents in low-lying areas are advised to prepare for possible road closures and take necessary measures to protect their properties in anticipation of the minor coastal flooding forecasted for Saturday morning, a situation exacerbated by tidal levels roughly one foot higher than predictions, with a high tide peak at around 8:05 am PST. The NWS Bay Area tweeted that "the most intense rainfall coming on Wednesday" will likely bring two to three inches of rain across the North Bay and one to two inches across coastal ranges and valleys, thus potentially "impact post-Christmas travel, so allow extra time and leave more space between cars," as further supported in the detailed forecast.
The weather conditions are linked to a series of low pressure systems moving into the region over the next few weeks. The Area Forecast Discussion by the NWS points to an unsettled pattern, where the European model shows low pressure centers farther north towards the Gulf of Alaska, while the American GEFS indicates that some systems could be heading closer to the contiguous United States.
Mariners in the Bay Area were also under a gale warning until 9 AM PST this morning with gusts up to 35 knots and seas reaching 11 to 15 ft., and they were advised to "alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions," according to the NWS, looking ahead, the Gale Warning has expired, but conditions at sea will remain rough, as a new northwest swell is expected to build up starting Christmas day indicative of more unsettled weather on the horizon "(Today through Thursday)".
