Bay Area Storm Brews, With Heavy Rain Possible

SAN FRANCISCO — Forecasters are growing increasingly confident in a "notable pattern change" descending on the Golden State next week, which looks likely to dump rain over the Bay Area between Wednesday and Friday.

Flagging early signs of an "impactful storm system" brewing on the horizon, the National Weather Service shared an early look at what looks to be the first "higher-end rain event" of the season, which may offer a preview of a wet El Niño winter to come.

While there are plenty of details in the forecast to work out, near-term climate outlooks strongly favor wet weather sweeping across Northern and Southern California next week. Bay Area forecasters noted early models contain plenty of uncertainty concerning timing and rainfall amounts — details that will become clearer in the coming days.

The Climate Prediction Center sees a slight to moderate risk of heavy precipitation across a broad swath of California from Nov. 15 - 17, and the National Weather Service said drivers headed over the mountains next week should plan for potential snow and related disruptions.

As for this week, conditions should stay chilly and dry through Thursday afternoon, with lows dipping into the low to mid-40s for most of the Bay Area, with patchy frost possible across parts of eastern Santa Clara County and the North Bay valleys.

The cooling trend was already evident Wednesday morning.

There will be a shot for some light rain along the Peninsula coast and in the North Bay late Thursday and early Friday, but forecasters expect a dry weekend with afternoon highs warming back into the upper 60s and 70s.