The Bay Area is bracing for a tumultuous weather kick-off this week, with forecasters warning of moderate to heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and the possibility of thunderstorms late Sunday night into Monday morning. Residents are being cautioned to stay vigilant and prepared as the storm system makes its approach.
The National Weather Service's San Francisco office issued a series of alerts, indicating that moderate to heavy rainfall will commence late Sunday, with chances of isolated thunderstorms by Monday morning. To compound the concern, a wind advisory is in place from 10 PM Sunday through the early hours of Monday for strong southerly winds. Coastal mountains are set to receive between 2-3 inches of rain, while the greater San Francisco Bay and Monterey regions can expect roughly 0.75-1 inch.
In response to the anticipated storm conditions, a flood watch has been declared for the North Bay from Sunday evening through Monday evening. Forecasters at the National Weather Service are calling attention to an increased risk of minor flooding along certain creeks such as Mark West and Green Valley. The watch remains in effect for the Coastal North Bay, including the Point Reyes National Seashore and the Marin Coastal Range, among others, according to a weather alert issued early Sunday.
Gusty winds are predicted to pose additional hazards, potentially blowing around unsecured objects and leading to downed tree limbs and power outages. The wind advisory warns of south winds reaching 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph expected. In higher elevations, gusts could surge to a formidable 50 mph. The National Weather Service also highlights, the added danger of saturated soils, raising the possibility of shallow landslides in the area.
With the weather system poised to drench the region, local residents are encouraged to follow updates from local authorities and prepare for the inclement conditions. The NWS Bay Area's Twitter urges the community to stay weather aware and seek information from reliable sources. With the weather expected to calm later in the week, locals hope for a brief respite following the storm's passage.
