TIMELINE: Strong level 3 storm Wednesday will bring heavy rain with flood watch for entire Bay Area

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Our fair weather pattern is about to end, as a strong storm will push into the Bay Area overnight.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Wednesday's atmospheric river has been upgraded to a level 3 on the ABC7 Exclusive Storm Impact Scale.

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

ABC7 News meteorologist Drew Tuma has a breakdown of what to expect.

So you hit a puddle while driving and now you're hydroplaning. Don't panic -- here's what you need to do:

TIMELINE

5/6/7 a.m.: Expecting an uneventful AM rush. Perhaps light showers in the North Bay. Breezy along the coast.
11 a.m.: Winds start to ramp up. Light to Moderate rain in the North Bay. Isolated showers elsewhere.
4/5/6 p.m.: Getting into the worst of the storm. Winds gusting 40-60 mph. Rain becoming widespread, heavy at times. Probably start hearing storm damage reports.
11 p.m.: Worst wind is over, but rain is still heavy in areas. Likely hearing reports of flooding and trees down.

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.
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

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.
Wind advisories and warnings are in effect