Atmospheric river could bring rain to Bay Area this week

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Rain could return to the Bay Area as early as Friday as a powerful atmospheric river is forecast to impact the Western United States. The system will bring increased chances of heavy rain, high winds and snow to high elevations, according to the National Weather Service.

A low pressure system developing in the Gulf of Alaska is expected to hit the West Coast later in the week bringing “generally beneficial rainfall,” the NWS said. Rain could begin Friday and stretch into the weekend with the greatest impacts felt in the North Bay.

Potential impacts from the system include wet roadways and elevated levels on creeks and streams. Heavy snow is also expected in the northern Sierra Nevada, potentially impacting travel.

Right now, the NWS has low to moderate confidence in the forecast, which is expected to evolve in the coming days.

“Stay tuned!” the weather service advised in a tweet.