Rain, Slick Roads In Santa Cruz Amid Christmas Travel Week

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Slick roads and minor flooding are possible this week as Santa Cruz residents hit the road ahead of Christmas.

Gusty winds were also expected, according to the National Weather Service's Monday morning forecast. Residents are advised to anticipate intermittent waves of light to moderate rain Monday into Sunday.

"Please be prepared for unsettled weather and take caution while driving since roads will be slick and there will be a lot more traffic on the roads with holiday travel," the weather service said.

Ponding is possible on offramps and roads, and creeks and streams could rise. Rivers should not flood, according to the weather service.

Anyone who plans to travel into higher elevations, such as the Sierra Mountains, should keep a close eye on the forecast and come prepared with chains or emergency supplies, the weather service said.

The majority of Santa Cruz County, including the city of Santa Cruz, is expected to see 3 to 4 inches of rain over the next week. The Santa Cruz Mountains were expected to see more rain than any other part of the county.

Most of the Bay Area is expected to see 2 to 3 inches of rain, while areas further inland should see less. Coastal North Bay peaks could see as much as 6 inches of rain, the weather service said.

The "moderate" rains could arrive mid- to late-week, but the weather service cautioned that residents should stay tuned to reports, as it is difficult to predict the timing of the heavier waves of rainfall.

Officials were monitoring the CZU fire burn scar for the possibility of debris flows, which can cause more injuries than the wildfire itself.

Rain will likely continue into the weekend, but it remained unclear what the next week might bring. Rain is possible, the weather service said.

Here are the rain totals expected from Monday through Sunday at various locations across Bay Area, according to the weather service.

• Concord: 2 to 3 inches.
• Fairfield: 2 to 3 inches.
• Half Moon Bay: 2 to 3 inches.
• Livermore: 1.5 to 2 inches.
• Napa: 2 to 3 inches.
• San Francisco: 2 to 3 inches.
• San Jose: 1.5 to 2 inches.
• San Rafael: 2 to 3 inches.
• Santa Cruz: 3 to 4 inches.
• Santa Rosa: 2 to 3 inches.