'Storm Door Is Officially Open' This Week: What To Expect In Pinole And Hercules

PINOLE AND HERCULES, CA — Sunday brought showers and good news for Pinole and Hercules residents ready to usher in fall weather amid a record-shattering drought in California: "The Storm Door is officially open," the National Weather Service said Monday.

It's unclear what the coming months will bring, but get ready for cooling temperatures and more rain this week and weekend as wet weather systems were expected to swoop into the Bay Area, officials said.

"Needless to say, we're just a tad excited," the weather service said.

Rain. On. Me. 🌧️☺️

Showers have started to make their way over our office this evening! Oh how we've missed that smell. Continue to share your rain reports with us using #CaWx #CaRain! pic.twitter.com/EKcZMtdw5f
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) October 18, 2021

Wind, wet roads and weather-related crashes are possible as a result, officials warned.

In Petaluma, the rain also led to a "flashover" and power outage Sunday night, and multiple other weather-related outages were reported Monday across the Bay Area.

"During a dry season, and especially amid the current drought affecting California, dust, dirt, salt and other substances accumulate on power lines," PG&E Spokesperson Deanna Contreras told Patch. "When light rain or mist arrives after a long dry spell, it can turn this mixture into mud, which conducts electricity. This can damage electrical equipment, potentially resulting in pole fires and outages. PG&E has a pole-washing program to reduce the potential for these outages."

Rainy Week Ahead

As of Monday afternoon, the forecast for Pinole and Hercules said rain was possible again late Tuesday through the rest of the week.

"A series of wet systems will impact the Central Coast and Bay Area throughout the coming week," the National Weather Service said Monday. "The next system will arrive Tuesday afternoon bringing more rain showers and locally gusty winds as a front moves through the region.

"Additional systems will then continue to impact California throughout the rest of the week and into the weekend, some of which will have a decent moisture tap from the Central Pacific. A good portion of the region could wind up with at least a couple of inches of rain during this time period. Still much uncertainty when talking about late this week and next weekend, stay tuned."

Keeping an eye on the forecast? Here's how to decipher rain probabilities, according to the weather service.

• Slight chance of rain: 20 percent.
• Chance of rain: 30 to 50 percent.
• Rain is likely: 60 to 70 percent.
• Highest confidence in the arrival of rain: 80 to 100 percent.

A few storms are affecting the western United States, weather officials said. One storm affecting California will head next to the central Plains, where it is expected to bring snow to Wyoming.