'Potent' Storm To Hit Santa Cruz; Here's When Rain Could Start

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A "potent" storm was expected to bring a significant amount of rain to Santa Cruz and across California this weekend and into early next week, according to the National Weather Service.

On the lower end — or the "reasonable worst case" scenario — the storm could bring around 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain in urban areas, the weather service said Friday morning. Rain totals rise to 4 to 6 inches in coastal areas. Those projections could change as the storm nears and the weather service grows even more confident in its predictions.

Rain was expected to affect the region late Saturday into Monday as a "weak to potentially moderate" atmospheric river spread southward over the Bay Area. An atmospheric river is a long, narrow channel of water vapor akin to a river in the sky.

Prepare for moderate to heavy rainfall, with the most rain likely expected to fall midday Sunday into Monday afternoon.

Santa Cruz will see a 30 percent chance of rain Saturday night, but the likelihood of rain goes up to 70 percent Sunday and 100 percent Monday, according to the forecast.

Residents can expect gusty winds, minor flooding in urban areas and small streams and slick roads. Drivers should use caution, and people should keep their rain gutters and storm drains clear at home, the weather service said.

Officials will monitor fire burn scar areas for potential debris flows but expect the rain to be overall beneficial. Debris flow is a risk in sloped areas following a large wildfire and can cause more injuries than the wildfire itself.

Some thunder is possible Monday off the coast.

The Bay Area enjoyed unseasonably warm temperatures in past weeks, but colder weather has officially arrived. The region on Thursday night saw the coldest temperatures it's expected to see all season, according to the weather service.

The weather service encouraged residents to stay tuned to its social media channels, @NWSBayArea, and news reports as the storm closes in.