The storm system heading for the Bay Area looked like it’d be a swing-and-a-miss — but is now trending toward a much bigger event that will make for a wet Wednesday night, though there’s still considerable forecast uncertainty.
A swath of moderate rain only 50 to 100 miles wide is expected to move over the Bay Area late Wednesday through Thursday morning. A slight shift in its placement could leave some cities much wetter or drier than forecast. Still, significant rainfall totals are on the table, at least by late May standards.
- Live storm map:See where rain is hitting California
Thunderstorms already rumbled across the North Bay, Diablo Range and Santa Cruz Mountains on Wednesday afternoon, but precipitation is expected to become more widespread, though less intense, after nightfall.
Steady rain should begin in the North Bay after sunset, then become more widespread across the region after midnight. Light to moderate precipitation is expected to linger through midmorning. Scattered showers may redevelop Thursday afternoon, particularly over the East Bay hills, Diablo Range and Santa Cruz Mountains.
Forecast rainfall totals range from one-tenth to one-quarter inch in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Up to a half-inch is possible in Santa Rosa, Half Moon Bay, the Berkeley Hills, Diablo Range and Santa Cruz Mountains…