2+ Inches Of Rain Forecast In The Bay Area, Starting This Weekend

SAN FRANCISCO — More details are coming into focus in the forecast for potentially significant rainfall in the Bay Area, kicking off what could be an extended wet period poised to soak Northern California leading into the holidays. Depending on how the incoming storm shakes out, it could make for the first big system of the season.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service's Bay Area office said they were confident in rain arriving late Saturday and stretching into Tuesday, but acknowledged some uncertainty in precisely how much precipitation will materialize.

Most areas are favored to see at least an inch of rain over 72 hours, but updated projects suggest many could see more than two inches — or considerably more.

"The distribution of precipitation remains the same but the amounts vary upon exactly how this plays out," said Brian Garcia, a meteorologist with NWS Bay Area. "How it plays out will depend upon how close that area of low pressure gets to us and how fast that cold front lifts through us on Monday."

According to the National Weather Service, San Francisco, the North Bay, the Peninsula and coastal regions have the best shot at significant rain, with lower expectations for rain-shadowed areas like Santa Clara and East Bay valleys.

Long-range forecasts suggest the wetter pattern will linger well beyond Tuesday, potentially through the end of the month, with some models seeing another round of significant rain closer to Christmas.