Thunderstorms, Wind And Cooler Temps Return To The Bay Area: Forecast

SAN FRANCISCO — A pleasant run of spring weather is giving way to rain, and forecasters are tracking growing chances for thunderstorms and a noticeable dip in temperatures starting Friday and lasting through the weekend.

While impacts are expected to be generally minor, with mostly beneficial rain, the National Weather Service said the potential for thunderstorms could cause sporadic issues.

"A cold front will move through the Bay Area Friday," NWS Bay area meteorologists wrote Thursday. "After the front passes, winds will shift to a westerly direction and the rain will gradually transition from steady, warm sector rain, to more convective showers on Saturday and Sunday. Some of these showers may be strong, and there is an increasing chance for thunderstorms this weekend."

According to the weather service, the rain will move into the North Bay around mid-day Friday, reaching the Central Coast by early evening, accompanied by gusty southerly winds. Outside of heavier bands from thunderstorms, forecasters expect most parts of the Bay Area will pick up between a half-inch and an inch of rain before tapering off Sunday.

Temperatures will tumble roughly 10 degrees by the weekend, and remain on the cooler side for the foreseeable future, with highs ranging from the mid-50s to low 60s. Extended outlooks favor a cooler, wetter trend sticking around next week, and another round of rain could arrive by Wednesday.