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A cold start to the day will give way to days of rain and coastal flooding across the San Francisco Bay Area as king tides and a wet weather pattern move in ahead of New Year’s Eve, forecasters said Tuesday.
In a weather briefing around 5:25 a.m., the National Weather Service said interior valleys woke up to chilly temperatures Tuesday morning, with lows dropping into the mid-30s. Forecasters warn that the cold could be dangerous for unhoused people, pets and livestock, and could damage sensitive plants and crops if precautions are not taken.
Rain is expected to return on Wednesday and spread across the region by New Year’s Eve, continuing through the weekend and into early next week. The heaviest rainfall is expected in the North Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains and along the Big Sur coast, where totals could reach 4 to 6 inches by Sunday. Most other areas are forecast to see between 1 and 3 inches of rain, the weather agency said.
Forecasters say the rain could cause flooding in low-lying neighborhoods, urban streets and poor drainage areas, along with fast-rising creeks and streams. Confidence in the rainfall forecast is moderate, with more lighter rain expected into the following work week.
Coastal flooding is also expected from Wednesday through Sunday due to king tides combined with a storm surge. High tides in San Francisco are forecast to reach up to 1.8 feet above normal Friday and Saturday mornings, enough to flood coastal roads, parks and parking lots, though only isolated closures are expected.
Strong winds may add to the impacts late Friday into early Saturday. The weather service said unsecured objects could be damaged, and some tree damage is possible during that period.
The weather service urges residents to stay aware of changing conditions, especially near the coast and in flood-prone areas, as the busy holiday period approaches.
