A series of three back-to-back storm systems will move through the Bay Area over the weekend, dousing the region in rainfall amounts that could lead to minor flooding and landslide risks in some areas.
The first system is expected to make landfall Friday evening across most of the Bay Area, with the second storm following close behind on Saturday during the daytime and evening hours, according to the National Weather Service.
Then, after a pause from Saturday night and into Sunday morning, the third system is expected to roll in on a strong jet stream from the Pacific Ocean and will likely produce moderate to heavy rain and gusty southwest winds Sunday afternoon into early Monday.
It could also produce thunderstorms on the Peninsula, in the North Bay and in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties.
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"The first and second systems are expected to put down up to an inch (of rain) in the city and then the third one could be up to an inch and a half in the city," said National Weather Service meteorologist Roger Gass.
"The North Bay mountains of course are going to see the heaviest rainfall -- anywhere up to about 7 and a half inches from the three storms combined," Gass said.
While the storms do contain some subtropical moisture, they're not considered a classic atmospheric river, which typically moves more slowly through the region and then stalls out.
The repeated precipitation expected over the next few days will fall on already saturated soils, which could lead to mudslides and downed trees and power lines.
Also, people should be prepared for the rapid rise of rivers and streams along with minor "nuisance" flooding across the region, according to the weather service.
San Francisco’s Department of Building Inspection alerted building owners Thursday to prepare for the incoming storm, specifically asking them to check for any signs of distress around windows.
“As our weather pattern is changing, as storms are becoming more violent, we need to take every precaution, we need to warn people, we gotta get people get ready for the worse,” said San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin.
In Contra Costa County, residents like Greg Bell are keeping a close eye on the San Ramon Creek that rose several feet during last year’s storms, causing major flooding in parts of Danville.
Bell says crews have done a good job of clearing out debris and trimming branches that could potentially obstruct the creek, leading to flooding during the storm.
He added it’s held up so far with the most recent storms and its why residents are feeling optimistic heading into the weekend but are still staying prepared.
“Some of the neighbors still even have their sandbags. Making sure if we need to deploy those real quickly, we can get them, around the front doors, garages, fences, to keep the water coming in for sure,” he said.
