California’s Bay Area is bracing for a series of hazardous weather conditions, as a potent storm system is expected to impact the region over the Christmas period. With rain already saturating the ground, residents should prepare for additional precipitation and powerful winds starting late Tuesday night and continuing into Wednesday.
Initially, from Monday into early Tuesday, the weather will remain wet but manageable, with scattered showers expected across the urban Bay Area. The North Bay and coastal ranges are likely to experience heavier rains, leading to a flood watch being issued for the region through Friday due to the risk of minor flooding along roads and waterways.
The first significant round of impacts will occur late Tuesday night, as a low-pressure system drives a cold front through the Bay Area. The most severe weather is predicted between 7 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday, marked by moderate to heavy rainfall and rapidly increasing winds, particularly along the coast. The National Weather Service has issued a high wind watch, forecasting gusts of 70 to 80 mph from Big Sur to Point Reyes, which may down trees and power lines, creating hazardous conditions. Inland areas can expect gusts of 40 to 50 mph.
This weather system will also likely lead to localized flooding, especially in urban centers. By midday Wednesday, most areas in the Bay are expected to have received between half an inch to an inch of rain, with the Santa Cruz Mountains and North Bay potentially experiencing the heaviest totals of 1 to 3 inches.
The turbulent weather will not end there, as another powerful low-pressure system is expected to bring a second round of cold fronts starting on Christmas Day and continuing into Friday. With the ground already saturated and trees stressed from wind, there is an elevated risk of tree failures and power outages as the storm progresses.
While the forecast entails challenging conditions, there is hope that the substantial rain could help alleviate drought conditions in the region in the long run. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for the evolving weather situation as the holiday approaches.