SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The leading front of another big storm is set to arrive in the Bay Area Monday night before the brunt of the storm hits Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The incoming storm will bring gusty winds with moderate to heavy rainfall. The NWS advises to expect urban and small stream flooding, downed tree limbs and trees, and potential power outages.
“Another week another storm system,” said KRON4 Meteorologist Kyla Grogan. “This all-too-familiar dance is happening once more in a season that has been impressive already. The biggest impacts from this latest round of weather will be wind and rain.”
The strongest winds are expected along the coastline and at higher terrain, the NWS said. The National Weather Service warned that the winds could easily topple trees because the very wet winter has left soils saturated. A wind advisory for Monday night into Tuesday has been expanded to include the North Bay hills, East Bay hills and eastern Santa Clara hills. Peak gusts could hit 40-55 mph, according to the NWS.
The weather conditions are ill-timed when it comes to Tuesday morning’s commute.
“Rain moves in overnight tonight starting in the North Bay and working its way south. The morning commute will be exceptionally difficult as the rain gets heavier, and the wind picks up in the early morning hours,” Grogan said. “There will likely be some power outages and frankly the bridges will not be pleasant places to be with the wind and rain combining to amp up the danger so if you have a choice, I would avoid driving on Tuesday if at all possible.”
Monday will stay dry for the most part with heavy rain arriving early Tuesday morning along with strong winds, according to KRON4 Meteorologist John Shrable. Tuesday’s storm arrives with much of the Bay Area still reeling from recent storms that have brought down hundreds of trees, damaged roadways and at times, left tens of thousands without power.
More snow in the Sierras
The system could drop several feet of snow in the upper elevations of Northern California’s coastal mountains and the Sierra Nevada, making travel difficult, forecasters said. Powerful storms since late December have blanketed the Sierra in a massive snowpack with a water content that is more than 220% of normal, according to the state Department of Water Resources.
“This is a colder system than our last one so it is also likely that we will see some lower elevation snow on our peaks around the bay,” Grogan said. “The snow level looks like it will drop to about 2500-3000 feet. So, for those up at elevation be aware that this could also make things more dangerous on any mountain roads.”
How much rain will we get?
“As far as rain totals our coasts and particularly our coastal mountains could see between 2 and 4 inches,” Grogan said. “Urban areas will likely see between 1-2 inches, with lower totals in the South Bay.”
“Be on the lookout for the potential of thunderstorms on the back side of this system,” Grogan added. “Those will roll in after the main event so I expect late Tuesday night into Wednesday we’ll see some juiced up cells that could produce thunder, lightning and small hail.”
Tuesday’s showers will linger into Wednesday morning before conditions dry out until the weekend.
Winter Storm Warnings issued
“In the Sierra the Winter Storm Warnings are up throughout Tuesday and into early Wednesday morning making travel difficult to impossible at that time,” said Grogan. “Above 7,000 feet, they will pick up 1-2 feet of additional snow. I know everyone is weather weary so hang in there and please tune in if you need info as Storm Team 4 will be tracking this very closely.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
