Significant Rain, Record Cold Temps: Weekend-Wrecking Bay Area Forecast

A cold front is approaching, promising to deliver almost as much rain to the Bay Area in a single weekend as it typically receives throughout the entire month of May.

SAN FRANCISCO

A late-season cold and rainy weather pattern is poised to disrupt weekend outdoor plans as a low-pressure system makes its way to the Bay Area.

Incoming Weather System

The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that this cold front will start influencing the region on Friday evening. Expect breezy conditions, unseasonably low temperatures, and widespread rain showers.

Rainfall Predictions

Initial rainfall models have been updated to reflect higher precipitation amounts. Though flooding is not anticipated, the Bay Area could see more than half its usual May rainfall from this single system.

Temperature Drop

Another notable aspect of this system is the significant drop in temperatures, which will be 5 to 15 degrees below average for early May. Daytime highs on Saturday are expected to struggle to rise above the upper 50s, and overnight temperatures could approach record lows.

NWS Statement

"Chilly to cold overnight low temperatures for this time of year (40s coastside and bayside; 30s inland) are forecast late Saturday night to Sunday morning and Sunday night to Monday morning," the NWS Bay Area stated on Thursday. "San Francisco and Oakland downtown, possibly a few other locations, may be nearing record lows Sunday and Monday mornings."

Looking Ahead

Fortunately, the weather is expected to dry out by Sunday, with a gradual warming trend forecast for the following week. Updated forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center suggest above-average temperatures across Northern California as we move into the middle of the month.