Wind Whistles Louder Than Raindrops in Bay Area Storm
The Bay Area is preparing for a storm that's more about wind than rain. While rain showers have already dampened parts of Sonoma County, the real concern is the wind. Gusts could reach up to 55 mph, especially in higher areas. This could lead to:
- Fallen trees
- Power outages
- Tricky driving conditions
Wind Advisory in Effect
A wind advisory is in effect from Tuesday night until Wednesday afternoon. Rain is expected to spread across the region during this time. The storm is moving quickly, so rain might start late Tuesday or overnight Wednesday in places like:
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- Alameda
- Contra Costa counties
Once it begins, rain will stick around for about 24 hours.
Rainfall Expectations
The Santa Cruz Mountains are expected to get the most rain, with about half an inch to an inch. Other areas like the:
- East Bay
- South Bay
- Peninsula
will see less, around a quarter-inch to a half-inch. The North Bay coastal ranges and valleys will also get a good amount of rain, with up to 2.5 inches in the coastal ranges and 2 inches in the valleys.
King Tides Add to Hazards
The storm is happening at the same time as king tides, which are the highest tides of the year. These tides, caused by the alignment of the sun, moon, and earth, will make road conditions even more hazardous. Expect:
- Lots of puddles
- Minor flooding, especially near the coast
Good News Ahead
Despite the rain and wind, there's good news. The weather service doesn't expect major river flooding. Also, the rain should be done by Thursday morning, and the sky should stay dry through the weekend.
