Atmospheric River Headed Toward Pleasanton; Flood Watch Issued

PLEASANTON, CA — The phrase "atmospheric river" is back in the weather forecast for Northern California — the same "conveyer belt of moisture" that drenched the area for three straight weeks from late December to mid-January, according to the National Weather Service.

While scattered showers can be expected throughout the week, the weather service reports that the potent atmospheric river will arrive Thursday and continue through Friday. Pleasanton and the entire Bay Area are under an NWS Flood Watch from 1 p.m. Thursday until 9 a.m. Sunday. The heaviest rain is expected to fall Thursday evening into Friday morning.

The storm is coming from the tropics in the Pacific Ocean, with an increasing possibility of several inches of rain. The areas at highest risk of more than 2 inches of rainfall include the North Bay, elevated parts of the peninsula in San Mateo County, southern Monterey County and the Central Valley.

In Pleasanton, 0.96 inches of rain are expected to fall over 11.5 hours Thursday night, though the East Bay can expect as much as three inches. Winds are expected to gust at up to 30 mph. On Friday, another 0.87 inches are expected, with winds of up to 22 mph. There is also a nine percent of thunderstorms.

Since the moisture is coming from the tropics, the rain could prove to be a threat for the deep Sierra snowpack.

The National Weather Service in Reno cautions residents that snow at 5500 feet or lower is at risk of being melted by the rain.

Local resources

Sandbags are available at the City’s Operations Services Department at 3333 Busch Road and at a new location at Ken Mercer Sports Park at 5800 Parkside Drive.

The Alameda County Public Works Agency also has sandbags available at their Maintenance and Operations Corporation Yard at 4825 Gleason Drive. Zone 7 Water Agency is also offering pre-filled sandbags at the Parkside Administrative Building on 5997 Parkside Drive.

For a full list of storm safety tips, local contacts, and closures, visit the city’s Storm Update page.

See here for further resources, tips, and useful contact information.

To receive local emergency notifications, text your zip code to 888–777. For Alameda County notifications, sign up for AC Alerts here.

To report flooding, damage, or other hazards, call the Pleasanton Operation Services Department at 925-931-550 during business hours, 925-931-5100 after-hours, or email osd@cityofpleasantonca.gov.

To report downed power or electrical lines, contact PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

— Bay City News and Bea Karnes contributed to this report.