Cotati Opens Sandbag Stations Ahead Of 'Atmospheric River'

COTATI, 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.

In anticipation of the severe rainstorm forecast to hit the North Bay, the City of Cotati announced its free, self-serve sandbag station is open from noon until 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday.

Each Cotati household or business can fill up to 10 bags at the station, which is located at 1 Trebino Court, off of Blodgett Street.

The city also reminded residents not to drive through floodwaters, and to notify the Cotati Police Department of any flooded streets by calling dispatchers at 707-792-4611. If in a life-threatening situation, call 911.

Special Weather Statement

Two storm systems are expected to impact the North Bay, Bay Area and Central Coast 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.

In the North Bay, the special weather statement applies to the cities of Santa Rosa, South Santa Rosa, Napa, San Rafael, Petaluma, Novato, Rohnert Park, Cotati, 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 Cotati, Rohnert Park

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

Thursday Night: Rain. Low around 52. South southeast wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Rain before 11am. High near 63. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Friday Night: Patchy fog after 8pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the evening.

Saturday: Rain likely, mainly after 11am. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 60. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Saturday Night: Rain. Low around 51. South wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 61. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 2 and 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Monday: Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.

Monday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Tuesday: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 61.

Tuesday Night: A chance of rain. Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Wednesday: A slight chance of rain. Patchy fog. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 68.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Thursday: Patchy fog. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 71.