Bay Area's First Big Storm Brings Outages, Huge Traffic Delays
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- The first California winter storm of the season is expected to continue through Monday evening.
Rain and cooler weather are expected across the state.
A slight chance of thunderstorms is expected Monday afternoon with clear skies predicted by Tuesday.
The National Weather Service says a cold front coming from the Pacific Northwest has already dropped some rain in the Sacramento region.
Some cities in the Bay Area have already seen nearly an inch of rain. Power outages and traffic accidents were widespread across the region.
An early morning big-rig accident on Highway 580 along the Altamont Pass snarled traffic for hours.
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As of 5:30 a.m. about 2,700 homes were without power, according to PG&E. The North Bay was the area most affected.
Forecasters said the storm could dump up to 8 inches of snow at about 7,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada, and possibly up to 12 inches of snow along the highest mountain peaks.
In Southern California, forecasters warn of rough seas and gusty winds due to the cold unstable air.