Rainy Christmas Morning, Then Drier Weather Ahead

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A storm system will bring rain to the North Bay beginning late on Christmas Eve into Christmas Day before passing out of the area. Here is the satellite view on Tuesday showing a low pressure trough digging down from the north.

By early on Christmas Day showers will spread over the North Bay. Not a big rain-maker, but we should pick up about a third to half inch of rain across the region. Possibly a bit more in the wetter spots according to the high resolution NAM forecast.

If you’re traveling to the south over the Holidays (perhaps along I-5 or Hwy 101), be aware that the center of the storm will be passing south along the California coast, and is expected to bring significant rain to Southern California and snow to the mountains. Rain will be especially heavy in areas near the coast.

Here is the forecast for areas to our south through midday on the 26th.

Meantime, if your plans take you up to Tahoe or the Sierra, expect snow at times on Christmas Day. It’s not expected to be heavy, but chain controls may be in effect off and on along I-80 and US 50.

Looking into the future, we may see a bit of rain in the North Bay on Sunday as a weather system passes to the north of us. Models are uncertain of amounts, but expect at least showers. After that, high pressure builds over the region, keeping us mostly dry for the first week of the New Year.

So, nice weather to begin the New Year. The extended outlook hints that wetter weather could possibly return to the region sometime in the 2nd week of January. But for now, enjoy the Holidays!