Flooding Rains Overnight, Santa Rosa 3.37 and Counting, Russian River to Hit 39 Feet

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Flooding rains driven onshore by an atmospheric river hammered Sonoma County overnight, with Santa Rosa recording more than 3 inches, and Venado in the coastal hills more than 6. Here are the 24 hour totals throughout the North Bay as of Wednesday afternoon.

The Wednesday satellite image shows the atmospheric river circulation continuing to push moisture into northern and central California.

More rain is due to arrive in the North Bay Wednesday afternoon, increasing the flooding that has already taken place on many small streams, roads, and intersections in the region. The River Forecast Center now says the Russian River and Napa Rivers will overflow their banks by Thursday and early Friday.

Here is the latest forecast for the Russian River at Guerneville, showing its peak at almost 39 feet, 5 feet over flood stage, at 7AM on Friday.

The atmospheric river moisture is forecast to remain over Sonoma County and the Bay Area over the next 36 hours, then slowly shift south.

As for additional rainfall, the forecast models say Santa Rosa and the rest of the North Bay could pick up 3 or more additional inches before this storm is over late on Thursday.

ADDITIONAL RAINFALL WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY