San Franciscans must brace for a chilly start this Saturday, as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a frost advisory for the southern Salinas Valley and surrounding mountain areas. Residents should expect "low temperatures between 32 to 36 degrees" in the early hours. But the brisk spell is fleeting, as NWS predictions suggest a significant rainfall to the Bay Area and Central Coast by Tuesday night. Forecasters have indicated that "rainfall totals 1 to 2 inches across the region" are possible, with certain areas along the coastal ranges potentially receiving up to 4 inches, according to NWS San Francisco.
With dry conditions lingering through the weekend, residents can get a reprieve from the cold. Light showers are lurking on Monday's horizon, with impactful rainfall inbound Tuesday through Thursday. This wet front, however, now looks to be more Southern California-centric. The cut-off low steering our weather ship might opt for a southern course, leaving Monday's forecast parched, with only light showers and drizzle possible elsewhere in the Central Coast and coastal San Mateo County, reported NWS' Area Forecast Discussion.
On the upside, the coming days promise an aesthetic balance of clear skies and seasonal temperatures, ideal for any weekend leisure. Yet, all eyes are on Tuesday to Thursday's stormy interlude, with models showing variable outcomes based on how the upper-level trough shapes up. Tighter contours mean heavier showers, but as it stands, we're generally looking at 1-2 inches of rainfall, potentially stretching to 4 inches in the higher coastal terrains.
