Atmospheric river could bring heavy rain to the Bay Area next week

(KRON) — An atmospheric river is forecast to develop in the northeastern Pacific next week, potentially bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the North Bay.

The predicted storm has a 40 to 60% chance of producing heavy rain in the region between Oct. 24 and Oct. 30, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center announced Thursday.

California’s northwesternmost regions, including Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties, and southwest Oregon have the highest chance of seeing heavy rain next week. However, the storm could impact an extensive area of the West, spanning from northern Washington to the North Bay.

“Travel may be impacted by heavy rain, snow, and wind,” the NWS’s forecast states. “Heavy rain will also have the potential to produce small streams and urban flooding, though confidence is not as high at this point. Interests should continue to monitor forecasts.”

A high risk of heavy snow is forecast for Northern California and Southern Oregon. The Northern Sierra Nevada also has a 40 to 60% chance of heavy snow next week.

The storm could also bring heavy snow to the Great Basin and Northern Rockies in parts of Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado.

KRON4 will continue to track the latest weather as the potential storm develops.