3 Storms Poised To Dump More Rain On The Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Bay Area forecasters are tracking a trio of weather systems headed for NorCal that look likely to keep things wet for several days, returning heavy rain and gusty winds to the region by the second half of the week.

The first and weakest of the three storms is due late Wednesday, bringing light rain to the Bay Area through Thursday. The next two storms promise a heavier dose of precipitation through the 3-day weekend, accompanied by stronger winds.

"The front attached to this low is much stronger, has more dynamics, and a deeper moisture tap," the National Weather Service said Monday. "Steadier rainfall returns early Friday is expected to increase in coverage and intensity through Saturday. There will likely be a window where heavy rain occurs with the front late Friday/early Saturday."

Forecasters expect showers will taper off late Saturday before the third and final system arrives Sunday and carries stormy weather into early next week. Though the weather service does not anticipate the storms will be as strong as the last atmospheric river, which knocked out power for a million people, they warn there will still be a risk of downed branches and minor flooding.

While still gusty, the winds should be less severe, with most of the Bay Area showing just a medium chance for gusts above 25 mph.

Early rain projections show most of the region picking up a quarter-inch of rain with the first system, with up to an inch possible in the North Bay mountains. The following systems could dump more than 3 inches of rain in Cloverdale, more than 1.5 inches in San Francisco and more than an inch around the East Bay and South Bay. The models favor 4 to 6 inches of rainfall in the coastal mountains.

Better details on the timing of the heavier bands of rain will be shared as the forecast firms up over the next few days.