The Bay Area is expected to experience a series of light rain showers this week, starting today. Rain chances will spread to include the Bay Area and parts of the Central Coast through Saturday. Looking ahead, a more significant series of storms is predicted to hit next Sunday, December 21, and continue through the Christmas holiday, likely impacting holiday travel along the West Coast, as stated by the National Weather Service in San Francisco.
In a statement by the National Weather Service, patchy dense fog is also expected this morning before the wet weather takes hold. Commuters should allow extra drive time and use precaution: "slow down, use your low-beam headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you." Despite the rain's delay in arrival, it has been noted that no measurable precipitation has fallen yet. With a 15% chance of thunderstorms predicted for certain northern areas, the region is on the periphery of broader meteorological activity.
Weather officials are tracking the placement of moisture plumes and storm tracks, vital for determining precise rain amounts and peak wind forecasts. They recommend regular monitoring of the forecast, especially for those with travel plans in the region.
Confidence is growing for a pattern change next week, with wetter and windier conditions expected from December 22 to December 26. Though exact timing and amounts are not set in stone, the prospect of a significant change is on the horizon. The condition known as the 'Tule fog' has already appeared in the North Bay and East Bay Interior Valleys, creating challenging visibility conditions on the roads. Those planning to hit the skies should be aware that flight patterns might also be influenced, with conditions ranging from LIFR to VFR, and potential impacts later today and Wednesday morning, as light rain is forecast across the North Bay and parts of the Bay Area.
The Area Forecast Discussion from the National Weather Service, San Francisco, CA, emphasizes that the expected rain until next Tuesday should be beneficial, considering the three-week dry spell the region has faced. Rainfall totals could reach up to 5 inches in the Coastal North Bay and significantly less in the other areas. Furthermore, winds are expected to pick up on Sunday and continue into the following week. Residents are advised to prepare by securing outdoor items and cleaning gutters in anticipation of the wetter conditions to come.
