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Bay Area Faces Days of Heavy Rain as Atmospheric River Hits

Climate and Weather

Business Honor
20 November, 2024

Bay Area prepares for heavy rainfall this week, as an atmospheric river increases seasonal rainfall totals

The Bay Area prepares for heavy rainfall this week, with the first atmospheric river of the season expected to pass Tuesday night, bringing four days of continuous rain. After the parched fall, the storm will put Northern California well ahead of its seasonal rainfall average for mid-November, according to meteorologist Nicole Sarment with the National Weather Service.

North Bay is the worst hit, with 4–6 inches of rain forecast to fall inland while as much as 7 inches are forecast along the coastal regions from Wednesday to Thursday. Northern regions may have as much as 10 inches of rain. San Francisco, in the first wave of the storm, can get up to 1.5 inches of rain.

The storm will involve two low-pressure systems. One is due to hit the Bay Area by midweek, and the second one will land on Friday, stretching into the weekend. There is heavy rainfall in the North Bay and San Francisco Bay areas, with possibilities of reaching the same quantities as in the first wave. The amounts of rainfall will decrease as the storm moves south. South Bay will get less than an inch in other areas, except for the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Despite the heavy rainfall, Sarment and Sonoma County emergency management director Jeff DuVall pointed out that the risk of flooding is still minimal. The soil is less saturated after dry fall, which would lessen the flooding potential. Flooding may occur in small streams and creeks, but major rivers like the Russian River are not expected to reach water levels that could cause flooding.

Residents are advised to prepare for rainy, windy conditions by cleaning gutters, securing outdoor items, and watching out for downed power lines. Authorities recommend staying home during the storm to avoid potential hazards.