Bay Area residents, brace yourselves for a series of wet and potentially thundery days ahead. The National Weather Service San Francisco announced a steady bout of rain on Wednesday and showers through Thursday, forecasting accumulations between half an inch to two inches in most parts and up to three inches in coastal ranges. Snow may grace areas above 3,000 feet starting late Wednesday, adding a wintry mix to the season's surprises.
Along with the rain, locals should keep an ear out for rumbles of thunder, as the weather gurus have pegged a 20-30% chance for thunderstorms across the Bay Area and Central Coast during the same window. Heavy downpours and small hailstones could accompany these storms, making for slick roads and a reminder of nature's capacity to awe and disrupt. Remember, "when thunder roars, go indoors! Or, see a flash, dash inside!" as the National Weather Service advises.
As the first system exits, a second act is on Friday's schedule, not as intense, but still worthy of umbrellas and caution; the valleys are looking at a drenching of a quarter to half an inch with up to an inch in the higher elevations. The stormy symphony continues through next week, each system playing its tune, and while Saturday offers a pause, another round moves in Sunday, dishing out half an inch to an inch of rain in some locations. Meanwhile, temperatures stay low, 8 to 15 degrees beneath what's normal, before gradually warming through Sunday, only to dip again post-storm.
In the skies, aviation also feels the weather's whims, with the National Weather Service's aviation forecast cautioning of scattered showers persisting into the morning and dwindling by the afternoon, winds will shift from westerly to southerly, ramping up before the rain reappears, with the Monterey Bay Terminals holding onto showers a while longer.
The persistent strong breezes mix with scattered showers and storm threats to make the waters particularly treacherous for small craft; a series of storms ensures this turbulent tableau sticks around. Footing on beaches is risky too, with Wednesday and Thursday surf building up to 15 feet and waves making rocky and jetty areas especially dangerous, Sunday's forecast suggests another round of hazardous surf.
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