Bay Area bracing for new storm
Heavy winds, widespread rain forecast to return
After being hit with rain and heavy winds last week, the Bay Area is getting ready for a weekend reprise as forecasters predict a new storm to arrive Sunday.
The system comes on the heels of a storm that struck the region with rain, lightning, heavy winds and some hail.
While some higher elevations in the North Bay picked up more than 3 inches of rain, San Francisco received 0.8 inches and areas in the East Bay got 0.6 inches by the end of the storm on Friday, said Mark Strudley, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Monterey.
Forecasters predict slightly less rain in the next storm system, but they expect the precipitation to be more widespread.
The forecast calls for “moderate rainfall throughout the day on Sunday with gusty winds and some lingering showers on Monday,” said Strudley.
San Francisco and parts of the East Bay should get around a half-inch of rain, while areas in the North Bay will pick up even more — around 1.25 inches.
Along with the rain, strong winds — 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph — are expected in parts of the Bay Area. A wind advisory has been issued for the hills in the East Bay and the North Bay
mountains.
“It’s going to be windier. The last one had some good winds. This one might be a little bit windier, especially during the duration of the storm,” Strudley said.
There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms by Sunday evening, with dry conditions returning by Tuesday.
In the Sierra, skiers are getting ready for another round of fresh powder. Earlier in the week, about 2 feet of snow fell at popular destinations such as Kirkwood Mountain Resort, Northstar California Resort and Heavenly Mountain Resort. Other places, such as Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, got 21 inches, while Squaw Valley Ski Resort picked up 17 inches. And more snow is on the way.
The storm should bring anywhere from 1 to 2 feet of snow to the higher elevations above 8,000 feet and another 12 to 18 inches around 6,500 feet of elevation, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento.
“Everyone turns into a little kid when the snow comes out and conditions are great,” said Marcie Bradley, a spokeswoman for Northstar. “It makes kicking off holiday season pretty amazing.”
Some lingering snow showers should continue Monday morning, forecasters said.
“The last one had some good winds. This one might be a little bit windier.” Mark Strudley, National Weather Service