Forecast: Storm Door Swings Open

Three systems will make for a messy four days ahead.

After a full 32 days with no rain, the Bay Area is finally welcoming in the season of winter. NBC Bay Area meteorologists say we are going to get hammered with rain, wind and even snow thanks to three storms headed our way.

The first system arrived Thursday with rain arriving midday north of the Golden Gate and hitting all of the Bay Area by nightfall. 

The storm door was opened making it possible for two more powerful systems to bring even more rain to the Bay Area this weekend.

The second and strongest storm is forecast to arrive Friday afternoon with periods of heavy rain and gusty winds sustained at 20-30 mph wind.  The rain will continue through Friday night.

Early Saturday we will get a break from the heavy showers with hit and miss isolated thunderstorms possible. 

The third and final system is expected to arrive on Sunday evening. NBC Bay Area meteorologist Christina Loren said rain will impact the big NFC Championship game at Candlestick between the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants.  Kick-off is 3:40 p.m. and fans should bring their rain gear.

All the rain will turn to snow in the Sierra with accumulations upwards of 6 feet expected in the higher elevations. That is bad news for drivers, but great news for skiers. Bring your chains and your patience if you are heading up to Tahoe anytime this weekend.  They will be measuring the snow in inches at lake level and in feet on the slopes.

By Monday a ridge of high pressure will build back into the area nudging the storm track back to the north and bringing in more of a quiet weather pattern through the middle of the week.
 

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