Bay Area storm: Thursday offers brief intermission from rain as predictions show wet weekend

While clear skies and sunshine have become rare commodities in the Bay Area 12 days into 2023, Thursday was expected to offer a brief but welcome intermission from the gauntlet of rain and wind that has left the region with tattered roadways and uncomfortable conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

In San Jose, forecasts showed a partly sunny day Thursday with a high of 65 degrees and winds between 10 and 13 miles per hour.

In Oakland and San Francisco the expectations were similar. Highs were a bit chillier, at 63 and 61 degrees respectively, with wind gusts topping out at 20 mph. Walnut Creek was forecast a high of 64 degrees and wind between six and 13 mph.

Rain was predicted to be possible overnight heading into a wetter Friday throughout the region, but no more than one-tenth of an inch was expected in urban areas.

The Northern California coast was expected to see a drier day Thursday, but gusty winds prompted the NWS to issue a high-surf advisory to go in effect at 1 p.m. Thursday. The advisory, which lasts until 10 a.m. Saturday, warns of 10 to 15 foot waves, localized beach erosion and dangerous swimming conditions.

While Thursday’s break from the rain could be welcome to most throughout the Bay Area, which saw about half of its annual average of precipitation over a 10-day stretch Dec. 26 to Jan. 11, another relentless onslaught was expected to be on its way beginning Friday. San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland could each see a half of an inch of rain Friday and one full inch Saturday.

The NWS predicted at least a chance of rain each day and night from Friday to next Wednesday, though the wind gusts from past days and weeks could be left behind. Residents should still be wary, however, as heavily saturated soils could still leave a window of opportunity for strong gusts to bring trees down and cause damage.