A so-called atmospheric river barreling toward the Bay Area is expected to pummel the region with heavy rainfall and gusty winds Wednesday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.
The latest winter storm has triggered multiple weather alerts, including a flash flood watch for much of the Bay Area and a high wind warning for locations higher in elevation, the weather service reported.
Widespread rain is expected to fall around lunchtime before becoming heavier later in the afternoon and into the evening, according to weather officials.
Rainfall totals for Wednesday could soar to anywhere from 3 to 6 inches in the coastal hills, the weather service stated. Most urban areas and hills in inland areas are expected to collect 1 to 2 inches of rain. Valleys in the North Bay could pick up as much as 2.5 inches of rainfall.
The incoming deluge of rain has prompted officials to issue a flash flood watch between Wednesday afternoon and late Wednesday night for all Bay Area counties except Solano County.
Weather officials warned that urban and smaller streams could flood while larger rivers could rise rapidly.
Before the brunt of the storm even arrived, a pile of mud, rocks and other debris came crashing down into the slow lane of southbound Highway 101 near Spencer Avenue in Sausalito Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Gusty winds are also expected to wreak havoc across the region, possibly toppling trees and leading to potential power outages, according to the weather service.
A high wind warning for higher elevations around the region will take effect between 1 p.m. Wednesday and 3 a.m. Thursday, according to the weather service. Winds could blow between 25 and 35 mph with some gusts peaking as high as 60 mph.
Weather officials have also declared a wind advisory for lower-lying areas near the San Francisco Bay and various valleys around the region. The wind advisory is slated to go into effect at 1 p.m. Wednesday and expire at 3 a.m. Thursday.
Aside from widespread rain and strong winds, Wednesday’s storm could also feature isolated thunderstorms, according to the weather service.
An evacuation warning took effect Tuesday night and continues into Thursday morning in Butte County, site of the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in US history.
The Camp Fire destroyed nearly 15,000 structures and killed 86 people in November.
The evacuation warning is for the community of Pulga, a canyon community near the town of Paradise, which was virtually incinerated by the blaze.
Meanwhile, a blizzard warning for much of the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe was set to go into effect Wednesday night, with meteorologists predicting as much of 5 feet of snow in upper elevations.
Dangerous and potentially life-threatening blizzard conditions were expected at elevations above 7,000 feet, with high avalanche danger throughout the region.
Weather forecasters have predicted a series of storms that could keep bringing rain and snow through the middle of the week.
The first in the series of storms dumped an inch of rain in Los Angeles and snow in the mountains Monday. Rain closed the Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement parks.
In San Diego County, a 20-foot-long, 20-foot-deep sinkhole developed on an Interstate 805 off-ramp near Serra Mesa.
Ice and blowing snow also shut down a major route connecting Los Angeles with San Francisco. Dozens of cars and trucks were stranded for hours before the Grapevine, a high pass on Interstate 5, reopened after nightfall.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Photo Credit: CHP Marin
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Source: NBC Bay Area
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