SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — After days of relentless rain and winds fueled by a persistent atmospheric river, much of California is now seeing a brief break. However, the state isn’t out of the woods just yet, with more rain and potential flooding forecast in the coming days.
Current conditions
The atmospheric river that brought damaging rain, strong winds, and triggered mudslides has started to weaken, reported KRON4’s Gayle Ong. While the main front has moved out of the Bay Area, remnants of the system are still lingering. For Saturday night, conditions will remain mostly dry with cloudy skies across much of the region.
Flood watches and warnings
Several flood alerts remain in effect:
- Flood warning: Guerneville and the Russian River area until 4:00 AM Sunday.
- Flood advisory: Parts of Sonoma County, including areas north of Sebastopol, until 6:00 AM Monday.
The Russian River crested Saturday at 34.5 feet—above the 32-foot flood stage—and is currently sitting just under 34 feet. Forecasts predict it will dip to around 33.3 feet Saturday night, which could still cause minor flooding for residents along the river.
What’s next?
The good news is that water levels in creeks, rivers, and streams are expected to recede by Sunday night. However, another system is developing offshore in the Pacific and is forecast to bring rain starting Sunday afternoon.
Sunday rain outlook
Cloud cover will increase Sunday morning, with light rain expected to begin in the North Bay by the afternoon. Heavier rain pockets could develop in the North Bay by late afternoon, spreading Bay Area-wide through Monday.
This next system appears to be tapping into another atmospheric river, though it won’t be as intense as this week’s storm. Unlike earlier rains, this system will likely target areas south of the Golden Gate, including:
- San Jose
- Half Moon Bay
- Fremont
- San Francisco
- Santa Cruz Mountains
While this upcoming rain won’t match the intensity of the previous storms, the saturated ground and swollen rivers mean the potential for localized flooding remains high. Keep an eye on weather alerts and prepare for unsettled conditions through Monday.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — After days of relentless rain and winds fueled by a persistent atmospheric river, much of California is now seeing a brief break. However, the state isn’t out of the woods just yet, with more rain and potential flooding forecast in the coming days. Current conditions The atmospheric river that brought damaging […]
Leave a Reply