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Bay Area Braces for Cooler Weather and First Spring Rain in Weeks

An offshore low-pressure system is set to bring cooler temperatures, gusty winds, and a modest chance of rain and thunderstorms by late week.

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The exact location and strength of an upper-level low pressure system on Friday will determine how much precipitation falls throughout the region. 

Overview

  • The Bay Area is transitioning from an unusually dry April to its first credible rain window of the spring season, expected Friday into Saturday.
  • An upper-level low-pressure system spinning off the coast is forecast to lower temperatures by 10–15°F below seasonal norms and increase instability in the atmosphere.
  • Rain chances are estimated at 30–45%, with most areas receiving under 0.1 inches, though up to 0.25 inches is possible in elevated regions south of the Golden Gate.
  • Onshore winds are strengthening, with gusts of 30–35 mph expected through coastal gaps and ridgelines, contributing to cooler and cloudier conditions across the region.
  • There is a small chance of isolated thunderstorms, with probabilities under 15%, and light snowfall is possible in the Sierra Nevada as colder air moves aloft.