The wet season has officially arrived in the Bay Area, bringing much-needed rainfall. On Sunday, rainfall accumulations reached up to a half inch, marking the first widespread soaking rainfall since May. However, residents can expect a brief dry break on Monday and Tuesday, with near-normal temperatures ranging from the 60s at the coast to near 80 inland.
The weather is expected to turn turbulent on Wednesday, as a cold front moves down from the Pacific Northwest. This will raise the chances of rain across Northern California and bring light snow to the Sierra Nevada. Snow showers are also expected around Lake Tahoe on Wednesday night, with the snow level dropping as low as 6,000 feet.
After months of mainly dry weather, the jet stream is beginning to visit California once again as winter approaches. This ribbon of strong winds in the upper atmosphere guides storms over the Pacific Ocean and pushes them towards California. Weather models suggest that Sunday’s rainfall may not be the last wet weather system of October.
While impactful rainfall is unlikely in the Bay Area, heavy snowfall is expected in the Cascade Mountains and around Lake Tahoe. The snow level could drop as low as 6,000 feet on Thursday night, with accumulations of up to 5 inches at the highest elevations. Temperatures will also drop considerably statewide on Thursday, with morning temperatures in the 40s in Wine Country and the Sacramento Valley, and afternoon highs struggling to break the mid-60s.
The next chance of rain showers for the Bay Area comes on Friday as a weak low-pressure system approaches Northern California from the Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, Monday’s weather breakdown shows fog and clouds slowly clearing throughout San Francisco, with highs in the upper 60s in some districts. The North Bay will likely experience morning fog before clearing for afternoon sunshine, with temperatures climbing to the mid-70s. The East Bay may see lingering fog in the morning before a mainly clear afternoon, with highs in the lower 70s. On the Pacific Coast and Peninsula, drizzle showers and patchy fog may occur in the morning, but drier air is expected for the afternoon with the return of sunshine. The South Bay and Santa Cruz will be mainly dry, with a cloudy and foggy morning giving way to a sunny afternoon and temperatures in the lower to mid-70s.
As the wet season settles in, it is essential for residents to stay informed about changing weather conditions and be prepared for potential rainy and snowy conditions.