Temps To Plunge, Rain Returns As Cold Front Sweeps Through Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Thursday will kick off a significant shift in the weather for the Bay Area as temperatures tumble, rain showers return and a fresh dusting of snow coats the mountain peaks, according to the latest forecasts.

Forecasters tracking the incoming cold front see afternoon highs running about 20 degrees cooler on Thursday compared to Tuesday and overnight lows dipping into the 30s for many.

"Max temperatures on Thursday will struggle and only reach the upper 40s to upper 50s (mid-30s to 40s for higher terrain)," NWS Bay Area wrote in a Wednesday briefing. "Even colder temperatures Thursday night/early Friday with more 30s showing up. The combination of cold temperatures and damp conditions will impact the vulnerable population."

The weather service said updated models suggested Thursday's overnight lows could dip enough to land one of the coldest April temperatures on record at the Oakland International Airport, and the chillier trend may linger into Sunday morning.

Forecasters said the colder turn will pull down the snow levels and may provide some of the lowest-elevation snow of the year.

"Snow will accumulate the most over the Santa Clara Hills, Gabilan Range, and especially the Santa Lucia Range," forecasters wrote Wednesday. "The biggest 'winners' for snow will be the Santa Lucia Range with 5-10 [inches] possible. However, [we] could see snow over the higher peaks of the Santa Cruz Mountains (Hwy 17/Skyline) and North Bay. Not expecting much accumulation, but notable nonetheless."

As for the rain, the forecast largely calls for scattered showers Thursday through Friday with low-to-moderate intensity. However, there will be some regionwide potential for isolated thunderstorms to develop, bringing periods of heavy rain and graupel.

Mostly sunny skies should return Saturday, along with a slight improvement in temperatures, ahead of abundant sunshine and more warmth in the forecast Monday and Tuesday. Climate outlooks strongly favor a hotter, drier trend taking hold in NorCal and across the West by the middle of next week.