'Series Of Storms': Here's How Much Rain NorCal Will Get; What's Next

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Another series of storms are headed to Northern California in what is shaping up to be a wet March for the region, weather officials said.

The storms are coming after a brief reprieve from winter weather.

"Beautiful late winter day around the Bay Area and Central Coast with mostly sunny skies and mild temperatures," National Weather Service forecasters said Monday, adding: "It's the proverbial calm before the storm."

The second storm is technically categorized as an atmospheric river, systems that play a vital role in helping the state maintain its water levels.

"While it will be a weaker [atmospheric river] it's not as juicy as some of the systems earlier this season," Bay Area forecasters also noted.

🛰️Check out that satellite view. A few showers will be possible along the Central Coast, but this low pressure system will bring more widespread rainfall to SoCal. #cawx pic.twitter.com/sH4n2zOLyy
— NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) March 10, 2025

The two low pressure storms are forecast to bring chilly temperatures, significant rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, high surf and snow at higher elevations. Meanwhile, the same storms are also predicted to bring much needed moderate to heavy rainfall to parts of parched Southern California.

Arriving late Tuesday night, the first storm is forecast to increase in intensity through Wednesday, with the heaviest rainfall expected to impact morning commuters, weather officials said.

Temperatures are also expected to drop quite a bit on Wednesday in most areas. San Francisco will see a low of 46, while areas like Sonoma will feel 39 degrees that night.

"The aforementioned cold front will be knocking on our doorstep early Wednesday," forecasters said.

Some 1 to 2 inches are expected to drench lower elevations with 2 to 3 inches in the North Bay and coastal mountains expected. Thunderstorms are possible, and some pockets could produce heavy rain, gusty winds and light hail, according to the NWS.

The National Weather Service has also warned of strong south to southwest winds, reaching 30 to 40 mph, with gusts potentially exceeding 50 mph in higher terrain, weather officials said.

Such conditions could also knock out power and disrupt travel, especially in wind-prone areas.

Those living along the coast should brace for dangerous surf conditions, with wave heights potentially reaching 20 feet or higher by midweek.

The National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory and warned of an increased risk of strong rip currents and sneaker waves along the coastline. Beach goers are urged to stay away from jetties, rocks, and steep beaches where large waves could unexpectedly strike.

And NWS officials say this won't be the last of the rain by any means as "multiple rounds of rainfall" are expected to continue Friday and into next weekend.

Rainfall totals are expected to be a "repeat," Matt Mehle, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office, told SFGATE.

“There’s some uncertainty over how much we’ll see, but the trend has been wetter,” Mehle said.

Bay Area residents are urged to stay updated by monitoring updates from the weather officials and local authorities, as conditions can evolve rapidly with atmospheric river events.
Sources