San Jose commuters woke up to a soggy start today, with light rain and a chilly 46°F recorded at Mineta San José International. The early showers are just the opening act: rain is expected to intensify through the morning, with a more organized band of heavier showers and thunderstorms moving in by late morning into the afternoon. Southerly winds will also pick up around the midday commute, raising the chances of slick roads and pockets of localized flooding.
Morning Commute and Timing
Rain is likely before 10 a.m. today, with steadier downpours and the best shot at thunderstorms coming in late morning and around midday. The National Weather Service is calling for a high near 52°F, with temperatures sliding back into the upper 40s later in the afternoon. Many spots could see roughly a half to three quarters of an inch of new rainfall.
South-southwest winds are expected to run about 8 to 20 mph, with gusts that could reach up to 33 mph. That combination of rain and wind is expected to slow the daytime commute and make conditions messier on the roads, according to NWS Bay Area.
Afternoon Gusts and Thunder
Through the afternoon and into the later part of the day, gusty southerly winds will continue to push through the region. Those gusts can shake tree limbs and make things dicey for high-profile vehicles on bridges and freeways.
Any thunderstorms that develop may bring brief but intense downpours, sharply cutting visibility and creating standing water in low-lying spots. Drivers are urged to slow down, leave plenty of stopping distance, and take it easy on wet roads. If you have outdoor plans, this is the time to tie down patio furniture and secure anything loose before the stronger gusts arrive.
Snow in the Hills
Colder air is dropping snow levels enough that the Santa Clara Hills could see accumulating wet snow through Wednesday afternoon. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for higher terrain through 4 p.m. tomorrow.
That setup could make some mountain roads slick or even temporarily impassable, especially over ridge crossings and along routes heading up toward Mount Hamilton and other nearby summits. Anyone planning to travel along canyon or ridge routes should keep an eye on conditions and consider postponing nonessential trips until things improve.
Warming Centers and Local Help
Santa Clara County and many city libraries open warming centers and community spaces during stretches of cold, wet weather. Residents who need a warm place to be are encouraged to check local resources for available locations.
The county's emergency office posts warming-center locations and hours, and outreach teams are active during weather events, according to Santa Clara County OEM. If you see an unhoused neighbor who appears to be at risk in the cold and rain, officials urge residents to contact local services for help rather than leaving anyone exposed to the elements.
Quick Safety Tips
Drivers should plan for slower commutes, build in extra travel time, and avoid driving through standing water. If you lose power, treat any downed lines as live and report outages directly to your utility.
Keep pets and plants protected from the chill overnight, and check back with the National Weather Service for updated forecasts as this storm system continues to move through the region during the week.
