Bay Area Braces for New Storm After Atmospheric River Deluge

UPDATE: The Bay Area is experiencing a brief respite this Friday after an atmospheric river storm unleashed over 5 inches of rain in some areas, leading to significant impacts across the region. As calm returns, the National Weather Service warns that a new storm system is on the horizon, set to bring more rain and potentially severe weather by Sunday evening.

Friday morning saw a momentary quiet, but lingering dampness remains as residents prepare for what’s next. “It’s kind of looking mostly dry,” said Dalton Behringer from the National Weather Service. However, isolated showers may still occur, particularly along the Central Coast, with many areas potentially seeing some sun today.

The atmospheric river storm that swept through earlier this week wreaked havoc, especially in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where Ben Lomond recorded a staggering 5.33 inches of rain. Other parts of the North Bay also faced significant rainfall, with more than 4.5 inches reported in areas of Sonoma County north of Santa Rosa. Downtown Oakland and San Francisco International Airport saw around 1.5 inches, while the rain shadow effect left Livermore, Concord, and San Jose with less than 1 inch.

As the remnants of the initial storm dissipate, another system brewing to the south is expected to combine with low pressure from the northwest. This mix will lead to stormy conditions returning by Sunday night, with forecasts indicating a band of heavy rain sweeping across the Bay Area. “That rain will be a quick-hitting one,” Behringer noted.

Residents are advised to stay alert as the weekend approaches, with the possibility of a break in the rain on Monday and Tuesday before yet another storm system is likely to hit midweek. Behringer emphasized, “We’re in that wet weather pattern,” urging the public to prepare for ongoing changes.

The Bay Area, which has already faced challenges from the recent deluge, is gearing up for further weather disruptions. With an active weather pattern expected to continue, officials stress the importance of being prepared for rapidly changing conditions.

As this story develops, stay tuned for updates and keep an eye on local forecasts to ensure safety and readiness.