The Bay Area is bracing for a refreshingly typical bout of spring weather as a cold front trek through the region, bringing rain, wind, and a dash of thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service San Francisco, today’s showers are predicted to increase in coverage and intensity, with rainfall totals climbing up to half an inch across most areas and localized areas potentially seeing up to an inch.
Notably, gusty winds are also on the dance card, with widespread gusts ranging from 20 to 30 mph, which are expected to veer and strengthen. The higher terrain is particularly advised to prepare to experience gusts up to 45 mph potentially. Moreover, there’s a slight possibility for thunderstorms to punctuate the otherwise dreary day, though the NWS pegs these chances at a modest 15%. "If a thunderstorm were to develop, the primary hazards will be lightning, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds, and small hail," an NWS San Francisco statement described.
The NWS Bay Area contrasts the ongoing rain with optimism, forecasting light scattered showers that will continue to move east with "little to no impacts anticipated." Nonetheless, they caution against complacency due to the threat of thunderstorms later in the afternoon, which could bring winds that gust fiercely up to 45 mph.
[7:10 AM Radar Update] - Areas of light scattered showers will continue to gradually move east this morning with little to no impacts anticipated. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon with gusty winds up to 45mph. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/Yaxhs4LdJL
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) March 31, 2025
Maritime conditions, too, are expected to be choppy. Small Craft Advisories have been hoisted across multiple zones, signaling that seafarers should expect robust westerly winds and significant wave heights that could peak around 15 feet on Tuesday. But as the winds slowly drift, Wednesday ushers in a warming and drying trend, the forerunner of a likely ridge of high pressure that promises sunnier days and higher temperatures by the weekend.
