California is facing its first major storm of the season, with heavy rain, strong winds, coastal flooding and dangerous ocean conditions expected across large parts of the state. The weather system is also forecast to bring significant snowfall to the Sierra Nevada mountains, creating difficult conditions for drivers and residents in several regions.
The Bay Area is among the places expected to experience the strongest effects. Forecasters warned that heavy rain would move from the North Bay towards San Francisco and Oakland during Friday morning. Some areas could briefly receive rainfall at rates of one to two inches per hour, increasing the risk of street flooding and overflowing drainage systems.
Strong southerly winds are also expected to affect the region. Gusts could reach between 35 and 50 miles per hour, particularly around exposed coastal areas and the shoreline. The combination of saturated ground and powerful winds could bring down trees, damage property and cause power outages.
Coastal communities are preparing for especially dangerous surf. Waves of 25 to 35 feet are expected along parts of the Pacific coast, with exposed locations potentially experiencing breakers reaching 50 feet. Rising tides and storm runoff could also increase flooding around low-lying roads and shoreline communities.
The storm is expected to affect mountain travel as well. Snow levels are forecast to fall, bringing accumulating snow to areas around Truckee and South Lake Tahoe. Higher elevations in the Tahoe region could receive around 18 to 20 inches, while parts of the Eastern Sierra may see one to two feet of snow above 7,000 feet.
The conditions could make mountain roads hazardous and disrupt travel through the region. Yosemite National Park is also preparing for the weather, with Tioga and Glacier Point roads scheduled to close ahead of the storm.
Residents have been advised to monitor local forecasts, avoid flooded roads and stay away from beaches during periods of dangerous surf. The combination of heavy rainfall, coastal hazards and mountain snow makes this one of the more significant early-season weather systems to affect California.
