San Francisco Braces for Storm
San Francisco is preparing for a storm expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain this week. City officials are warning of potential power outages and travel delays. Residents have been urged to secure outdoor items and avoid non-essential travel.
- This storm is the first of two back-to-back systems originating from the Gulf of Alaska. Forecasters also identify it as an atmospheric river, a concentrated band of moisture from the tropics. - The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory effective through Tuesday, warning of possible one-foot inundation above ground level along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. - Rainfall rates are predicted to reach up to 0.75 inches per hour along the coast, with some areas potentially receiving over 2 inches of rain by Monday morning. - Wind gusts are expected to reach 25 to 40 mph, with a possibility of hitting 50 mph if the low-pressure system moves further north. The weather service also warned of potential severe wind gusts up to 60 mph south of the storm's center. - The storm has already caused significant travel disruptions, with inbound flights to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) delayed by more than two hours and outbound flights delayed by over an hour. - What makes this weather system unique is the combination of a cold air mass, which could lower snow levels to around 1,500 feet by Wednesday night. - In preparation, San Francisco's Department of Public Works is offering residents and businesses up to ten free sandbags, which can be picked up at their operations yard. - This wet period follows a relatively dry January, and rainy conditions are expected to persist intermittently through the following Sunday.
