'Atmospheric River' May Cause Flooding In North Bay

MARIN COUNTY, CA – A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the central and southern Bay Area as another incoming atmospheric river is expected to likely drench the region with more rainfall, according to the National Weather Service.

The most recent watch was issued Sunday afternoon after a Flood Watch was issued for the North Bay earlier Sunday morning by meteorologists.

In addition, a Wind Advisory was issued for the East Bay hills, along with the mountains and coastal ranges of Sonoma, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Contra Costa counties until 2 a.m. Tuesday.

A Gale Warning is also in effect starting in the north and stretching into the Bay and southern coast later Monday afternoon and evening.

Estimates of rainfall amounts have since increased, with as much as 6-to-12 inches estimated to fall in the coastal ranges and North Bay, 4-to-6 inches on the coast and bay shorelines and around 0.25-to-1.5 inches in other areas.

NWS Meteorologist Roger Gass expects the region to get hit with significant rain, but forecast models still aren't concrete on where the heavier rain will fall, as it could stay in the North Bay or go as far south as the Santa Cruz Mountains.

"Looks like a setup for those wet spots that usually see a lot of rain, that they'll see some pretty impressive rainfall with this system," Gass said.

Although the ground is still heavily saturated from recent rains, Gass said the river levels have come down significantly with a break between storms.

There is no snowfall expected in the Bay Area with this storm, as snow levels will be above 6,000-7,000 feet by Tuesday.

Heavy winds are also expected from Monday afternoon into Tuesday night, with the heaviest winds starting late Tuesday. The heaviest winds are expected on the coast and hills, where gusts may be between 40-to-50 mph.

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--Bay City News