Flood Watch Issued As 2 Storms Bear Down On The Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — High winds and heavy rain are poised to hammer the Bay Area through the long holiday weekend, carrying risks for landslides, flooding and downed trees, with potentially major impacts Sunday and Monday.

The incoming pair of powerful storm systems prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch that will be in place for the Bay Area and Central Coast from Sunday morning to Wednesday morning.

Forecasters expect the first system will bring periods of moderate-to-heavy rain and gusty winds to the region Saturday, ahead of the second system due Sunday that may pack an even bigger punch. The weather service said the forecast for the latter storm is more complicated but there is a chance it could evolve into a bomb cyclone.

Friday's models favored 1.5 - 3 inches of rain falling in lowland areas from Sunday through Wednesday, with 3 to 6 inches likely in the mountain ranges. Should the storm gain strength, rain totals could run much higher, and forecasters are keeping a close eye on Sunday night.

"It's also looking more and more likely that Sunday night will be the most impactful period during this extended event," NWS Bay Area wrote Friday. "This is when the triple point (confluence of warm, cold, and occluded front) has the best chance to come ashore. If this happens, expect stronger showers with a decent chance for thunderstorms overnight."

Sunday evening is also favored to have the strongest winds, with gusts of 30 - 45 mph expected for most areas, but there is a chance they could top 50 mph. Thunderstorms could develop Sunday night into Monday morning, with chances ranging from 15 to 30 percent.

The storm's intensity should diminish after Monday, but flood risks will remain as rain continues Tuesday. Lingering showers could stick around through Wednesday.