First Big Storm Wallops Northern California; More Rain, Snow To Come
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF / AP) -- More rain and snow are on the way for Northern and Central California as part of the region's first wave of major storms this winter.
The National Weather Service says showers are likely in the San Francisco Bay area on Sunday. The rain follows heavy downpours and gusty winds Friday night and early Saturday morning that downed trees and caused minor flooding in some areas.
Elsewhere, a winter weather advisory was in effect in the northern Sierras, where up to an additional five inches of snow were expected on Saturday.
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More significant snowfall was expected in the central Sierras, with accumulations up to four inches on Saturday followed by up to two feet between Sunday evening and Monday afternoon.
Ski resorts that have had to rely on artificial snow until now are welcoming the storms.
Heavy rain and gusty winds arrived in the Bay Area in full force Friday night and created hazardous conditions along the coast and on the roads Saturday morning, according to weather and traffic officials.
A portion of state Highway 1 in San Mateo County was reopened after downed trees that blocked the roadway for several hours Saturday morning were removed.
Both north- and southbound lanes of Highway 1 just south of Whitehouse Canyon Road near Ano Nuevo State Reserve were blocked when two eucalyptus trees fell across the entire roadway, according to the CHP.
Reports of flooded roadways came in overnight from the San Francisco, San Jose, Marin, Santa Rosa, Dublin and Oakland areas, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The San Jose Avenue off-ramp on southbound Interstate Highway 280 in San Francisco reportedly was under 7 to 9 inches of water around 1:40 a.m. Saturday morning, according to the CHP.
Further south in San Jose on northbound I-280 just south of Saratoga Avenue one lane is apparently heavily flooded with about 2 feet of standing water, reported around 1:30 a.m., according to the CHP.
A high wind warning was issued for the Carquinez Bridge at 11:57 p.m. Friday night as the storm blew through the Vallejo area and into Contra Costa County, according to the CHP.
The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory set to begin at 10 a.m. along the North Bay coast and at 4 p.m. for San Francisco-Peninsula and Monterey Bay coasts.
Swells of up to 18 feet are expected to hit the coast Saturday and into Sunday, according to weather officials.
The NWS said local beaches could see large breaking waves at more than 20 feet, which poses hazards such as rip currents and beach erosion.
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