Northern California braces for soaking as storm nears

Heavy rain, strong winds and possible thunderstorms are in the forecast for the Bay Area and California this week as another atmospheric river arrives, according to meteorologists.

“Northern California will definitely see the brunt of it, but Southern California won’t be left out either,” said Cindy Palmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Bay Area office.

The storm is predicted to hit the state’s northwest region Monday, bringing torrential rainfall to southern areas of Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino counties, as well as portions of Lake County, according to the weather service.

Meteorologists predicted the storm will arrive in the Bay Area by late Monday and last through Wednesday morning, with scattered showers for the remainder of the week.

“Strong atmospheric river likely to be associated with inbound storm across NorCal on Tuesday,” UCLA climate and weather expert Daniel Swain tweeted Sunday. “More storms, though probably weaker, will follow.”

Residents of the North Bay will probably see the first rainfall Monday evening, with rains predicted to become stronger and spread to the South Bay and East Bay into Tuesday morning.

Up to 4 inches of rain could fall in coastal areas; about 3 inches of rain in interior neighborhoods; and up to 2 inches of rain in the valleys, the weather service tweeted.

Bryan Garcia, a weather service meteorologist, said the upcoming storm will be slightly stronger than the one that hit the Bay Area at the beginning of the month.

“This one will just kind of notch it up a little bit over what we saw earlier this month,” he said.

Residents should prepare for windier and wetter weather, Garcia said.

“We’re definitely encouraging people to be prepared for the upcoming system as it rolls through with the wind and the rain,” he said. “If you can, just hang out at home, enjoy the holidays with your friends and family or your pets.”

The storm is also expected to bring flooding and rapid rises on creeks, streams and rivers.

“It’s going to be a messy commute Tuesday morning,” Palmer said. “Pack some patience if you’re having to go back to work on Tuesday morning.”

The Sacramento branch of the weather service warned on Twitter of “difficult driving conditions, downed trees/power lines, and (possible) power outages” during the storm.

It also said that mountain roads may be problematic: “Strong south to southwest winds and snowfall will create difficult mountain travel conditions Tues morning-Wed morning.”

Beachgoers were warned of large waves that could reach up to 25 feet late along the Bay Area coastline Tuesday into Wednesday, according to the weather service.