Bay Area forecast: One more ‘atmospheric river’ as rainy season continues
A series of storms this week in the Bay Area, including a weak ‘atmospheric river’ system Friday expected to bring widespread rain to the region, should allow San Francisco and San Jose to reach their annual rainfall totals.
Since the start of the water year Oct. 1, San Francisco has received 23.27 inches of rain, just shy of its annual average of 23.65 inches. San Jose has received 14.82 inches (annual average is 14.90) and Oakland 18.57 inches (20.81 average).
At 42.45 inches, Santa Rosa has already surpassed its annual water-year average of 36.28 inches.
Estimated rainfall totals from the ‘atmospheric river’ storm Friday range from 1 to 1.5 inches in the North Bay, a half-inch to 1 inch around San Francisco, and one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch in the South Bay, according to Matt Mehle, a meteorologist with the weather service.
The system that is dropping light rainfall to the Bay Area on Tuesday likely won’t help San Francisco or San Jose reach their water-year averages. Through 6 a.m. Tuesday, 24-hour rainfall totals include San Jose at .05 inches, Oakland and Concord at .04 and San Francisco at .02.
Unsettled weather is forecast thru the work week. Shower chances start today and continue through Tuesday. More showers possible Thursday, with widespread rain likely on Friday. Rainfall amounts forecast to be light thru Thursday, then heavier on Friday. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/Mb9NTTvpXL
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) April 1, 2019
While December through March are the wettest months of the rainy season, it’s not unusual to see an ‘atmospheric river’ storm in early April, according to Matt Mehle, a meteorologist with the weather service. Mehle noted that a “historic atmospheric river” last April brought some flooding and hazardous weather to the region, including 2.22 inches of rain San Francisco, a record for April 6.
“We’re getting toward the end of our wet season,” Mehle said. “But we do get systems this late in the year. We are heading toward drier months coming ahead.”
Tuesday at 5:30 a.m., there were still a “few scattered showers hanging around San Jose and the East Bay,” Mehle said.
Wednesday is expected to be mostly dry. Thursday, a weak system is forecast to move through the region, just ahead of a “weak atmospheric river” expected to deliver a good soaking across the Bay Area.