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The San Francisco Bay Area is gearing up for a bout of heavy rains expected to arrive late Sunday night and persist through much of Monday. After a relatively dry winter, forecasters from the National Weather Service (NWS) are warning residents to prepare for what could be one of the wettest 24-hour periods of the year so far.
According to the NWS forecast office in Monterey, an
atmospheric river will bring heavy rainfall to the region beginning late Sunday night and continuing into Monday afternoon.
An atmospheric river is a concentrated plume of moisture carried thousands of miles from the tropics. When these moisture-laden systems make landfall in California, they can unleash copious amounts of precipitation.
The rainfall timeline outlined by the NWS calls for showers to develop around the Bay Area after 11 PM Sunday night.
The heaviest rainfall is expected between 5 AM and noon on Monday,
said meteorologist Jan Null. Rainfall rates could reach 0.75 to 1.5 inches per hour at the peak.
Total rainfall forecasts vary across the diverse microclimates of the Bay. The coastal mountains and Santa Cruz Mountains are projected to see the highest totals, with 8 to 12 inches possible in the higher terrain. Across the interior valleys and metropolitan areas, rainfall of 2 to 5 inches is expected to be more common.
Urban Flood Risks
With such intense rainfall rates, the NWS is concerned about the possibility of urban and small stream flooding.
Leaves and debris clogging storm drains could exacerbate flooding on roadways,
cautioned Null. The morning commute on Monday is expected to be especially hazardous.
Wind Gusts
In addition to heavy rains, strong southerly winds are forecast to accompany the storm system.
We could see wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph across the higher peaks and ridges,
said Null. That level of wind could potentially topple trees and powerlines.
Break from Drought?
While this single storm won’t erase the multi-year drought impacting the Bay Area, it will certainly provide a temporary boost to reservoirs, streams and the overall water supply.
Every drop helps when you’re in drought,
remarked Null.
But we’ll need many more events like this over the coming months to make real progress.
Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel on Monday if possible and be prepared for potential delays and hazards associated with urban flooding. After the storm exits late Monday, drier weather is expected for several days.
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