'Atmospheric River' Forecast To Drench Healdsburg, North Bay

HEALDSBURG, CA — By Sunday morning, rain will become heavy in the North Bay as the long-awaited atmospheric river takes aim at Northern California, the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area said in a special weather statement Thursday.

It is one of two storm systems expected to impact the North Bay through Monday, according to a special weather statement issued at 4:57 p.m. Thursday for the Coastal North Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore, North Bay interior valleys and North Bay mountains.

The special weather statement applies to the North Bay communities of Santa Rosa, South Santa Rosa, Napa, San Rafael, Petaluma, Novato, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Healdsburg, Angwin, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls and Woodacre:

"Light rain is already falling in the North Bay and will continue overnight. A cold front will reach the North Bay after midnight and bring a band of rain through the Bay Area for the Friday morning commute.

"Inland locations that haven`t received much rain the last few days should expect to receive some light rainfall Friday morning. The morning commute will be adversely impacted with wet roadways. Slow down, use wipers and headlights and plan for extra time to reach your destination Friday morning.

"A brief break in the weather as dry weather returns Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. Use this window of time for any storm preparations.

"Light rain will start in the North Bay Saturday evening. By Sunday morning rain will become heavy in the North Bay as the long-awaited atmospheric river takes aim at Northern California. The band of heavy rain is then forecast to drift southward through the Bay Area during the day Sunday reaching the Santa Cruz Mountains by late afternoon.

"The heavy rain will then drift into the Central Coast by Sunday evening as precipitation begins to wind down across the greater Bay Area. Several inches of rainfall are forecast across the region with higher amounts in the hills. Now is the time to clear storm drains and gutters.

"In addition to heavy rain, a period of gusty winds will accompany the front on Sunday. Drought-stressed trees will be susceptible to toppling leading to possible power outages.

"Burn scars throughout the state will be prone to debris flows with likely significant impacts across the Sierra. Plan your travel accordingly. Rain will taper to showers by Monday."

7-Day Forecast For Healdsburg

The following seven-day weather forecast is from the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area:

Thursday Night: Rain. Low around 49. South southeast wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain, mainly before 11am. High near 65. South wind 5 to 8 mph becoming northwest in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Patchy fog after 9pm. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 44. Light south southeast wind.

Saturday: Rain, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog before 11am. High near 62. Light south southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain. Low around 48. South wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Sunday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 63. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night: Rain. Low around 46. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Monday: Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.

Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Tuesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Wednesday: A slight chance of rain. Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 72.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Thursday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 76.