TIMELINE: Atmospheric river brings heavy rain, strong winds with flood watch to Bay Area

Wednesday, January 31, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Wednesday's atmospheric river will be a level 3 on the ABC7 Exclusive Storm Impact Scale.

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The worst impacts including flooding and downed trees will come Wednesday evening after sunset.

WATCH: Latest AccuWeather forecast
AccuWeather Forecast: Storm to stay active until at least midnight


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TIMELINE




  • 4/5/6 p.m.: This is when we will be in the worst of the storm. High winds, heavy rain at times. May start to hear of storm damage.

  • 11 p.m.: Winds will have calmed down, but rain will still be heavy in spots. Likely hearing of flooding reports and trees down.




RAINFALL



  • Heaviest rain will fall in the evening. Highest impacts will be seen after sunset.

  • Expecting 4"-7" in our coastal hills, 3"-5" in the North Bay, 1"-2" for the rest of the Bay Area.

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  • Soil is saturated and runoff will occur quickly. Roads, smaller streams and creeks will see flooding.

  • Shallow landslides will likely happen (think mud on roads and not necessarily massive boulders).

  • Currently, none of our rivers have a high chance of flooding.

  • Flood Watch in effect for the entire Bay Area





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WIND



  • Gusts up to 45 mph possible in the afternoon and evening.

  • In the Santa Cruz Mountains we could see gusts up to 60 mph.

  • Saturated soil is like oatmeal. Trees have no stable surface and will come down easily.

  • Power outages are likely in areas, especially in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

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  • Wind advisories and warnings are in effect




SNOW



  • Winter Storm Watch for the Sierra starting Wednesday morning

  • 1-2 feet of snow above 6,000ft

  • 3 feet of snow on highest peaks




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