Forecast: Snow possible on highest peaks

Precipitation totals are predicted up to half an inch

MONTEREY » The second in a series of three storms swept into the Bay Area Thursday, delivering light rain and the potential for a dusting of snow on the region’s tallest peaks.

The rain was expected to give way to scattered showers today.

Precipitation totals are predicted to range from half an inch in the North Bay to one- quarter of an inch in most Bay Area cities to two-tenths of an inch in the Monterey area, said Drew Peterson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Monterey.

Colder temperatures associated with the weather system also could bring a dusting of snow to Bay Area mountaintops. The snow level is expected to drop as low as 3,000 feet by this morning, said Carolina Walbrun, a meteorologist with the weather service.

The Sierra Nevada, meanwhile, is on track to receive up to a foot of snow, according to the weather service.

Back in the Bay Area, the Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing declared its fourth inclement weather episode of the year. Lows in the mid- 30s are expected this weekend, Walbrun said. The declaration, which runs through Monday, adds nearly 300 more beds to shelters and warming centers, including the Gilroy Armory and the Bill Wilson Center.

Dry weather is expected to return Saturday, but more wet weather is in store. On Sunday, a possibly stronger storm could deliver around three- quarters of an inch of rain, Pe- terson said.

“It looks like heaviest rain will be coming late in the afternoon to the overnight period into Monday morning,” Peterson said. “With that system, it’s a bit more precipitation than this one ( Thursday).”

Earlier this week, a storm slightly boosted rainfall totals in some parts of the Bay Area. San Francisco on Monday received just .02 inch of rain, but other cities did not record any measurable pre- cipitation.

California remains in a precipitation deficit for this time of year. San Jose is at 61 percent of its historic rainfall average with 4.11 inches, while San Francisco is at 64 percent with 7.23 inches and Oakland is at 69 percent with 7.08 inches, according to the weather service.