Another atmospheric river storm packing heavy rain and powerful winds wreaked havoc on the Bay Area overnight Thursday.
Here's what you need to know about the storm.
Bay Area storm timeline
After some light rain Tuesday evening, expect mostly dry conditions during the day Wednesday, NBC Bay Area's team of meteorologists said. A stronger system is expected to sweep in Wednesday evening and douse the region through early Thursday morning. Off-and-on rounds of rain will continue during the day Thursday and into Friday.
Flash flood warning
A flash flood warning was in effect Thursday morning for Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, according to the National Weather Service.
Flood watch
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all Bay Area counties, excluding Solano. It will be in effect from 10 p.m. Wednesday until 10 p.m. Saturday.
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Heavy rain in these counties could cause flooding along rivers, creeks and streams as well as in low-lying and flood-prone areas, the weather service warned.
High winds
Nearly the entire Bay Area will either be under a high wind warning or wind advisory early Thursday morning through Friday morning, according to the weather service.
The high wind warning will be in effect along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges. Strong southwest winds blowing at 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph, are possible along the coast, the weather service said. Some isolated 80 mph gusts are also possible.
The wind advisory will be in effect in the interior Bay Area, where southwest winds in the 35-40 mph range with gusts up to 60 mph are possible.
Atmospheric river will impact the Bay Area and Central Coast in several different ways: excessive rainfall, possible flooding in areas, and strong and damaging winds. Here are some graphics that highlight the major hazards in the area as well as the rainfall amounts. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/UlOj0vDjFx
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) February 12, 2025
High surf warning
The weather service has issued a high surf warning for the entire Bay Area coastline from 3 p.m. Thursday until 3 a.m. Saturday.
West-facing beaches are likely to face "dangerously large" breaking waves anywhere from 20 to 30 feet on average, with some spots seeing waves top out as high as 45 feet, the weather service said.
At non-west-facing beaches, waves will likely crest at about 15 to 20 feet, with some climbing as high as 30 feet, according to the weather service.
"Stay off of jetties, piers, and rocks, keep pets on a leash and away from the water, and never turn your back on the ocean!" the weather service warned.
Large breaking waves of 20 to 30 feet, up to 45 ft, are expected Thursday afternoon through Saturday at all Pacific Coast beaches. Stay off of jetties, piers, and rocks, keep pets on a leash and away from the water, and never turn your back on the ocean! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/bIKQdZVBPk
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) February 11, 2025
Estimated rainfall totals
Below is a look at projected rainfall totals around the region through Friday, courtesy of the weather service.
- Cloverdale: 2-3 inches
- Santa Rosa: 2-3 inches
- Napa: 2-3 inches
- Concord: 1.5-2 inches
- San Francisco: 2-3 inches
- Livermore: 1-1.5 inches
- San Jose: 1.5-2 inches
- Santa Cruz: 2-3 inches
- Hollister: 1.5-2 inches
- Monterey: 1.5-2 inches
- Big Sur: 4-6 inches
🌧️Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected tonight through Friday morning as an intense storm system reaches the Bay Area and Central Coast. Urban and small stream flooding and shallow landslides are likely. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/uTDCk2LefE
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) February 12, 2025
Thunderstorm chances
Isolated thunderstorms are possible across the region between 4 a.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday, the weather service said.
Be sure to visit NBC Bay Area's weather page for the latest storm information and forecasts.
