More Bay Area Rain Expected Soon, But No Overflowing Of Rivers

BAY AREA, CA -- In contrast to last month when a storm flooded the area around Coyote Creek in San Jose, Bay Area rivers are expected to stay within their banks when rain from two storms hits the region Friday and Sunday, National Weather Service officials said March 23.

The main stem rivers such as the Russian, Napa and Salinas rivers as well as Coyote Creek are expected to stay well within their banks when the rain ends on Monday, forecaster Bob Benjamin said.

Rain was expected to start falling Thursday in the North Bay and spread south, affecting the rest of the Bay Area on Friday.

About an inch and a half of rain is expected to fall across most of the Bay Area on Friday, but the North Bay and coastal mountains are expected to receive more, with 1.5 to three inches falling in lower elevations and more than four inches possible in higher elevations, according to weather service officials.

Residents can expect the storm to bring gusty winds of 25 to 35 mph with stronger winds in the mountains and hills, according to the weather service.

Skies are expected to clear late Friday or Saturday morning and temperatures will be cooler. Rain then will start falling again Sunday afternoon and could last until Monday afternoon, weather service officials said.

Most of the area on Sunday will get only a quarter- to a half-inch of rain but one to two inches could fall in the mountains and hills. Winds are expected to be weaker Sunday than during Friday's storm.

The most significant effects of the two storms will be urban flooding, downed trees and mudslides and rockslides in mountainous regions, Benjamin said.

Dry and warmer weather is expected to begin Monday afternoon and could last through next week.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Al Francis of NapaSonomaPhotos.com