The National Weather Service in San Francisco is warning Bay Area residents to buckle up for a series of intense weather systems expected to roll in tomorrow. According to the NWS San Francisco forecast office, coastal areas are at a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms, including a 2% probability of tornadoes. A Flood Watch has been declared across the North Bay until Friday Night, extending to the rest of the Bay and Central Coast from Tuesday morning.
Folks in the valleys should prepare for 2-5 inches of rain, with the coastal mountains potentially receiving up to 6-8 inches. Rapid rises in creeks, streams, and urban roadway ponding are likely. And for beach lovers, think twice; a Beach Hazards Statement calls for powerful winds and waves reaching 20 feet, making conditions hazardous. The High Wind Warning specifies gusts up to 65 mph for coastal zones, while the interior can still expect blustery conditions up to 55 mph.
The marine scene isn't faring any better, with "Extremely dangerous marine conditions for mariners are expected this week," including Storm Force winds across coastal waters and Gale Force through Bay and Monterey Bay waters, starting on Tuesday. The situation presents a threat to safety and property, with potential power outages and risks to marine navigation. Outdoor activities, particularly along beaches and waterways, should be avoided where warnings have been issued, as per the NWS San Francisco.
"Moderate to heavy rain associated with an atmospheric river," as per the National Weather Service, signifies a period where urban flooding and extensive travel delays become a reality from late Tuesday into early Friday, amid the heavy rain and "very hazardous, impactful winds" along the coast and higher elevations inland, with the backdrop of a slight chance of severe thunderstorms, which could continue into Friday. And while the prospect of significant flooding seems nuanced with tonight's system, the mix of robust winds and heavy rain might lead to inconvenient if not perilous conditions, such as downed trees and power outages, primarily along coastal areas, according to the NWS San Francisco.
The long-term forecast suggests this isn't quite the end of our weather woes, with another system on the horizon, potentially ushering in continued rounds of rain and wind through late December into January. The second wave, arriving Wednesday through Friday, carries an even higher severity risk, where "The SPC has issued a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms and a 2% chance of tornadoes/waterspouts," especially for coastal regions, per the National Weather Service.
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