Series Of Storms Begins Tonight; Bay Area Flooding Possible Through Weekend

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A series of storm systems are forecast to impact the San Francisco/Monterey Bay Area beginning late this week and persisting into potentially much of next week. At this time, the strongest system set to impact the region will be on Saturday when strong southerly winds develop ahead of the system that will result in widespread moderate to locally heavy rainfall.

The active and unsettled pattern will likely continue into next week. Please continue to monitor the latest forecasts in the coming days as we fine tune rainfall amounts and expected impacts to the region. I imagine we will have issues by Saturday night, such as possible Flash Flood Advisory or Watch and High Surf Advisory.

Impacts

• A weak system will bring light to occasionally moderate rainfall to the San Francisco Bay Area and down to the Monterey Bay area from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. This system is anticipated to remain low impact with generally light rainfall amounts.
• A series of stronger systems will lead to periods of moderate to locally heavy rainfall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Slick roadways will likely cause longer than normal commute/travel times.
• Strong and gusty winds expected on Saturday may result in tree damage or down trees that could lead to isolated power outages.
• While widespread flooding is not currently anticipated, urban and small stream flooding will be possible through the weekend.

Current Watches/Warnings/Advisories:

• No watches/warnings/advisories in effect at this time. However, a Hazardous Weather Outlook is currently in effect for this event.
• For all current watch/warning/advisories, http://1.usa.gov/1boSTTW

Forecast Confidence

• Moderate to high confidence for the Wednesday afternoon into Thursday system.
• High confidence in returned wet weather pattern late in the week and into the weekend. Low confidence in details at this point.

Timing

• Weak system to push through the San Francisco Bay Area Wednesday afternoon and down into the Monterey Bay Region by Thursday morning.
• More significant change is expected to begin Friday with the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall likely Saturday afternoon and evening.
• A slight chance of thunderstorms exists on Sunday with additional rainfall possible.

LOCATIONS

• Widespread precipitation along with strong and gusty winds (Saturday) likely to impact the entire region from late week into the weekend.

In:
• Storm
• Flooding