San Francisco Bay Area hit with steady rain, gusting winds from storm system

The Bay Area started the weekend with the early arrival of a very winter-like storm bringing steady rain with occasional downpours, gusty winds and colder temperatures.

Scattered showers will linger throughout Saturday after a cold front moves through the region, the National Weather Service said. The rainfall started late Friday night in the North Bay and is expected to continue through Saturday.

The NWS predicted about a half inch of rain would fall in the Bay Area, with up to an inch and a half in parts of the North Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Flooding potential should remain low overall.

Most of the rain is expected between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. The chances of rain after 5 p.m. fall drastically. The heaviest rain will be focused on the coastal ranges.

The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement advising of high wind on Saturday morning in San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland, as well as San Mateo County and much of the East Bay.

Wind gusts of up to 40 mph are possible. The Weather Service recommended anyone outdoors consider seeking shelter in its message just after 9 a.m.

The special weather statement remained in effect until 10:30 a.m. Gusts of 30+mph were possible into Saturday evening.

Daytime highs will be mostly in the 50s in the Bay Area. Overnight lows will be in the low 40s on the coast, in the mid-40s around the bay and inland.

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After the lingering showers, the Bay Area will see dry weather on Sunday. Warm temperatures are expected for next week.