Powerful Storm To Hit Bay Area: 'Temperatures Will Drop Like A Stone'

BAY AREA, CA — A potent storm is expected to move into the Bay Area from the Pacific on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing drenching rain, chilly temperatures, and strong wind.

The bulk of the rain in the Bay Area will fall beginning Wednesday.

"Yes, my friends, this is an atmospheric river, but we aren`t expecting days of intense rainfall," National Weather Service forecasters said. "The really intense rainfall from this system is expected to come through late on Wednesday into Thursday, this being the time that the main rain band with the subtropical tap comes through the region."

However, temperatures will "drop like a stone" on Wednesday, bottoming out in the mid-50s to lower 60s for the lower elevations on Thursday and Friday, forecasters said.

Up to an inch of rain is expected in San Francisco. To the north, from 2 to 4 inches of rain is likely along the lower, sea-facing slopes of the coastal ranges in Northern California and southern Oregon, according to reports.

Southerly winds will increase as the storm approaches. Although the exact details are still being refined, widespread gusts of 30 to 40 mph are possible, with stronger gusts along the coast and at higher elevations, primarily through favored gaps and passes, according to the forecasts.

Significant travel delays are likely due to rain during the height of the storm, affecting both roadways and airports, AccuWeather meteorologists warned.

Forecasters expect temperatures to drop sharply across the Sierra Nevada, allowing snow to accumulate quickly above the passes in the north. Over the ridges and peaks above 8,000 feet, a couple of feet of snow and blizzard conditions are possible as strong winds develop, according to reports.

In the Bay Area, lingering showers are forecast continue during the week.

On the water, winds, combined with a building north-west swell, will generate rough seas.

Winds are expected to decrease Friday, but the larger swell will continue to build with seas up to 15 feet before diminishing through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

A second trough could bring rain Sunday, lasting into the early part of the following week.

Here's the forecast Tuesday and Wednesday across several Bay Area cities, according to the NWS:

Livermore: Veterans Day will be mostly cloudy with a high near 78. Light and variable winds are expected to build Wednesday to 6 to 9 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent during the day, increasing to 90 percent overnight.

Fremont: Veterans Day will be mostly cloudy with a high near 78. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent during the day, increasing to 90 percent overnight.

Healdsburg: Veterans Day will be mostly cloudy with a high near 77. Calm wind. Wednesday rain is expected, mainly after 10am. Expect overnight downpour and thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall between 1 and 2 inches.

San Mateo: Veterans Day will be mostly cloudy with a high near 76. Expect Wednesday afternoon rain, mainly after 4pm. Overnight showers 100 percent likely and possibly a thunderstorm.

Walnut Creek: Veterans Day will be mostly cloudy with a high near 78. A 60 percent chance of rain arrives Wednesday, increasing to 90 percent by evening, with thunderstorms.

Berkeley: Veterans Day will be mostly cloudy with a high near 73. On Wednesday there will ne and an 80 percent chance of rain in the afternoon, increasing to 100 percent in the evening.