Stephen Ellison

Bay Area Rain, Sierra Snow Return

First of three systems in seven days arrives, but Thanksgiving Day will be spared from the downpour, forecasters say

Keep those umbrellas handy.

Rain returned to the Bay Area on Tuesday night, the first of three systems headed to the region over the next seven days, according to the National Weather Service.

Rainfall started in the North Bay on Tuesday evening and moved south, with the largest amounts of precipitation in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties.

Santa Rosa was one of the first cities to get wet, starting at about 8 p.m., and it got heavy at times, causing concern for those getting ready to travel for the holiday.

"It makes the roads really slippery," said Logan Santillano. "I live in St. Helena, so I'll be driving over the hill. Just be extra careful."

Some were worried about flight delays out of town.

"I'm flying home tomorrow to Orange County, so I'm hoping this rain won't impact it," said Amy Saunders, who was visiting Rohnert Park. "I don't think it'll change flights."

Still others were embracing the wet weather.

"It just reinforces the desire to stay with my family - my cat family - and my boyfriend," said Vanessa Brutschy of Santa Rosa.

snow-sierra1
KCRA
Ski slopes in the Tahoe area get a fresh covering Tuesday night. (Nov. 22, 2016)

Light rain may continue in some areas into the early morning hours, but skies are expected to clear up Wednesday through Thanksgiving Day, forecasters say.

A second system arrives Friday, and a third is expected Sunday, the weather service said.

And as usual, with the Bay Area rain comes a fresh blanket of Sierra Nevada snow. A winter weather advisory began at 6 p.m. Tuesday and continues through noon Wednesday, the weather service said. Forecasters expected snow accumulations of 3 to 6 inches above 5,000 feet and up to 10 inches possible over the peaks.

Travelers should expect delays and chain controls on Highway 50 over Echo Summit and Interstate 80 over Donner Pass on the way to the Reno-Tahoe region.

Motorists can view live shots of traffic and road conditions on the Caltrans website.

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