Warmer Days To Follow Atmospheric River, Cold Weekend In The Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — The Bay Area is in for a stretch of calmer, cooler weather on the heels of an atmospheric river that poured over the region Thursday.

Preliminary totals from the National Weather Service showed more than an inch of precipitation recorded over 24 hours around San Rafael, Redwood City, Oakland and the Sonoma County Airport.

Now, forecasters are tracking a cold air mass expected to settle over the region this weekend.

"Inland temperatures will drop into the mid-30s, where there is actually a slight chance of patchy freezing fog," the weather service said. "While most of it will dry out Friday, any remaining standing water on sidewalks or roadways could also freeze. Coastal areas will drop into the low-to-mid 40s."

A frost advisory will be in place through 9 a.m. Saturday for the inland North Bay valleys and eastern Santa Clara hills where overnight temperatures are expected to fall to the low 30s.

The weather service said Saturday should stay dry but cloud cover will start to build in the evening, setting up for widespread overcast skies Sunday and a chance for some light rain in the North Bay.

A new pattern will emerge early next week, heralding the return of pleasant weather and warmer temperatures throughout the week. While early forecasts suggest a chance for some light rain around the end of the week, long-term outlooks favor nicer weather through the end of the month.

"At this point, even the most aggressive solutions only show run-of-the-mill type rain," the weather service said. "In the extended forecast, the remainder of February is leaning drier and warmer than normal. Perhaps the groundhog was wrong this year?"