Thunderstorms, Minor Flooding Possible In Pinole, Hercules

PINOLE AND HERCULES, CA — Widespread rain is expected to return to the East Bay and Bay Area early next week, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service in a briefing Friday said the storm is a "weak to potentially moderate atmospheric river" that will be preceded by wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph.

Forecasters expect the rain to arrive first over the North Bay and then the greater Bay Area around midday Monday into Monday afternoon, with the North Bay mountains and Santa Cruz Mountains likely to see the most precipitation. Those areas could see 2-4 inches, according to the weather service, with lesser amounts (0.25-1.5 inches) farther south and east.

Power outages are possible, along with minor flooding of small streams and creeks and areas with poor drainage.

There is also potential for an isolated thunderstorm or two late Monday in the East Bay, and lingering showers may continue into Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

However, the rain from this system is expected to move through the region at a decent pace, therefore not stalling in any one area for a long period of time, the weather service said.

"This would overall provide mostly beneficial rainfall to the region with less of a widespread flooding concern."

Here's the current 7-day forecast for Pinole and Hercules.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. South southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. Calm wind becoming west northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. West northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light after midnight.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of rain after 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 58. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Monday Night: Rain likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday: Rain. Cloudy, with a high near 62.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Veterans Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 65.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.