Beneficial Rain Forecast In Bay Area This Weekend

By Keith Burbank, Bay City News Service

BAY AREA, CA — Light to moderate rain will benefit the Bay Area this weekend but also make roadways slick, National Weather Service officials said Friday. Rain is expected Friday through Saturday morning and then again Saturday night and Sunday with most of the precipitation falling in the earlier system.

Meteorologist Brayden Murdock with the National Weather Service San Francisco said this is going to be a nice measurable amount of rain and not an excess amount.

"It's looking just right," Murdock said, though it's not quite enough to catch us up this time of year.

Too much rain could cause flooding and make roads dangerous, he said. Coastal ranges favorable to southwest winds will get higher amounts of precipitation, while amounts will be more subdued in the Santa Clara and Salinas valleys, according to weather officials.

Light rain is possible during the day on Saturday, but most populated areas will remain dry.

Rain will return late Saturday night and move across the Bay Area Sunday with light rain possible as late as Sunday night.

Also Sunday, King Tides are expected. These highest of high tides may bring some localized flooding.

On Sunday afternoon, during the lowest of King tides when many people enjoy beachcombing, the risk of sneaker waves will be greater, weather officials said, with waves of 3 to 6 feet possible.

West-northwest waves are expected at Bay Area beaches Sunday and by Monday morning could reach 16 to 20 feet.

The large waves along with the highest of King Tides Monday morning will raise coastal flooding concerns as well as other risks in and near the water, according to weather officials.

Outside of coastal areas, flooding is not expected because rainfall rates will be low, and the ground is dry.

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