A strong cold front has brought widespread rain to the Bay Area Friday evening, marking a significant shift in weather patterns and offering temporary relief to the parched region. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that rainfall rates have increased slightly as the frontal band narrowed, bringing moderate rain to many areas.
Radar data shows the main rain band moving steadily southward, with post-frontal showers and lingering drizzle expected to continue overnight. Initial rainfall measurements indicate the North Bay has received between 0.30 to 0.50 inches, with some of the highest peaks seeing up to 0.70 inches. Elsewhere, most areas are seeing about a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts recorded in the coastal ranges.
The cold front, first observed near Eureka earlier in the day, began affecting Sonoma County by early evening, with showers spreading southward through the Bay Area. Most of the rain is expected to clear by Saturday morning, though some light showers could persist over southern regions through midday. Temperatures overnight are projected to be slightly warmer than previous nights due to cloud cover and moisture ahead of the front.