The Bay Area may have finally stepped out of the storm spotlight, but the weather is still very much in charge. North Bay communities are cleaning up and keeping watch on lingering floodwater, while the coast gets set for a late-week run of dangerous surf. Daytime temperatures will hover near seasonal norms, but inland nights are on track to feel noticeably sharper as runoff from recent storms continues to work its way through creeks and low-lying roads.
According to SFGATE, coastal highs are expected to land mostly in the upper 50s to low 60s, with mid to upper 50s around the bay and farther inland. Overnight lows will generally sit in the 40s. High clouds passing over the region should trim back the usual morning fog, and a weakening cold front sliding through midweek is forecast to have only a minor effect on conditions. No new widespread rain is on tap, even as flood crews keep a close eye on the North Bay.
Flood warning near Mark West Creek
The National Weather Service has a Flood Warning in place for areas near and downstream of Mark West Creek at Mirabel Heights, with the alert remaining in effect into Wednesday morning. Forecasters say flooding is "imminent or occurring" in low-lying spots, noting that several inches of rain have already fallen across parts of Sonoma County and that additional runoff could still push creeks higher. Residents in Forestville and nearby communities are urged to watch for rising water and follow any local road closures, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures and gray skies
High clouds drifting overhead should tamp down on thick morning fog and low clouds, leading to gray starts that often brighten later in the day. Daytime numbers are expected to stay mostly in the high 50s to low 60s along the coast and in the mid to high 50s inland, with nights slipping into the 40s, SFGATE reports. A weak cold front brushing past the region is not expected to shake up that overall pattern.
Coastal surf threat
Even as skies turn quieter, the Pacific is not done making noise. Long-period northwest swell combined with high tides will bring hazardous beach conditions to Pacific Coast beaches on Thursday and Friday and again early next week, the National Weather Service warned in its forecast discussion. Sneaker waves, strong rip currents and large breaking surf can surge well up the sand and make rocks and jetties especially treacherous. Beach Hazards and High Surf statements are posted for stretches of the coast, and officials are urging visitors to stay off waterside infrastructure while those advisories are in effect, per the National Weather Service.
Why Mark West Creek floods fast
Creeks like Mark West can jump their banks in a hurry after a burst of heavy rain, and the Mirabel Heights area has a recent track record of nuisance flooding when storm runoff piles up. Local coverage has repeatedly flagged the North Bay, including Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park and Forestville, as particularly vulnerable to rapid creek rises and short-lived road closures when systems roll through. The Press Democrat has detailed earlier flooding episodes and the specific roads and neighborhoods that tend to see trouble first.
What to do if you encounter flooding
Officials are again leaning on a simple, time-tested warning for anyone on the roads: "Turn around, don't drown!" The Press Democrat reports that the National Weather Service has repeatedly cautioned drivers not to attempt crossing flooded roadways and encourages the public to report any observed flooding to local authorities. If you are headed for the beach while advisories are in place, stay off rocks and jetties, avoid entering the water, and follow directions from lifeguards and local officials until surf conditions calm down.
Late-week chill
As clouds thin out later in the week, temperatures overnight are expected to drop sharply, with some inland valleys flirting with freezing by Friday morning. The San Francisco Chronicle notes that this colder and quieter pattern could bring the coldest mornings of the season so far to parts of both the North Bay and South Bay, and that cold-weather watches or advisories are possible for sensitive inland locations. Residents are urged to keep an eye on daily forecasts if they have plants, pets or early outdoor plans, and to plan on brisk early starts through the weekend, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
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