The Bay Area is bracing for a powerful storm system poised to unleash heavy rain and potent winds through early Monday, as reported by NWS Bay Area. Flood Advisory warnings have been announced, reminding residents to stay vigilant until 8:30 AM PST.
Flood Advisory Now in Effect until 830 AM PST This Morning. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/wkpf5zb8XU
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) February 4, 2024
In a detailed forecast shared by the NWS Forecast Office, the agency painted a grim picture of strong winds reaching hurricane force along the Big Sur coast and significant rainfall across the region. Coastal and high elevation areas are on high alert for "potentially damaging wind and rain," with flood and flash flood watches underscored by expectations of road flooding, downed trees, and conditions ripe for mudslides. The NWS anticipates gusts as high as 80 mph in peaks and ridges, and a hazardous sea state with storm to hurricane force winds.
As the storm barrels down, the Bay Area's smaller streams have begun to rise ahead of the main rain band, with winds gathering strength across the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo range, hitting around 60 mph. The Big Sur coast faces even more ferocious conditions, with gusts up around 80 mph, and marine zones potentially experiencing 80 knot gusts. This has placed those in the south marine zones of the Big Sur Coast under a Hurricane Force Wind warning.
Urban areas are not spared from the storm's wrath, with reduced visibility, the threat of shallow mudslides, and debris flow in the River Fire Burn Scar area taking center stage in the list of concerns. According to the forecast, the Santa Clara Valley and the Interior East Bay might see rainfall between 2.00" to 3.00", while the Santa Cruz County and higher elevations of the North Bay brace for 3.50" to 5.00". The Big Sur Coast's highest peaks could amass more than 7.00" of rain.
A look towards the upcoming days provides some respite, as rainfall is expected to taper off from north to south post-frontally into early Tuesday. Though the week may continue to struggle temperature-wise, the NWS acknowledges a brief dry spell before rain possibly returns Wednesday night or early Thursday. Meanwhile, aviation advisories warn of strong low level wind shear and potential mixed surface winds across the Bay Area, cautioning of MVFR to IFR conditions in heavy rain.
For maritime concerns, the turbulent weather advices storm force gusts across the waters through early Monday, and an advisory remains in effect underlining the surging southerly swell expected to rise to 15 to 20 feet at 10-11 seconds by Sunday morning. While the winds are set to diminish by Sunday evening into Monday, the coastal waters are advised to stay alert for the remainder of the inclement onslaught.
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