Freezing Temps, Rain And Snow Headed For Parts Of Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Bay Area is bracing for a dramatic weather shift as freezing temperatures and rain return to the forecast this weekend.

Much of the Bay Area has enjoyed mostly clear and sunny skies on Thursday, the National Weather Service says conditions are likely to change quickly.

"Waking up to cold temps once again this morning, followed by another beautiful afternoon under bright sun and light winds," the NWS said on Thursday. "Get out and enjoy it today, a pattern change is in full swing by sunrise tomorrow."

After a dry spell that has driven much of Southern California back into drought, rain is expected to dampen the Southland and central regions. While the same system is likely to bring some showers to parts of the Bay Area, the National Weather Service predicts that chilling temperatures are more likely to take center stage when another cold system arrives on Saturday, which will bring below-freezing temps to some areas.

"A pattern change will be in full swing across our region by sunrise Friday morning the aforementioned upper trough moving south will bring the first of two cold fronts into our area by Friday afternoon," NWS officials said.

Over in Lake Tahoe, ski resorts could enjoy their first snow in weeks as snow showers are expected to arrive on Friday and last possibly through Sunday.

Some cities, like San Ramon, may even see snowfall as temperatures plummet to 35 degrees there on Saturday night. In San Francisco, the Saturday low will be 43 degrees with a chance of rain after 4 p.m.

In parts of the Peninsula, like Redwood City, there will be a slight chance of rain and snow over the weekend with nightly lows of around 38 degrees, according to the NWS.

In Santa Cruz, temperatures could fall to 36 degrees on Saturday night, bringing a chance of rain with less than a tenth of an inch possible.