SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – A fast-moving cold front caused showers in the San Francisco Bay Area early Thursday.
While the rain further eased the extreme drought conditions, a stronger atmospheric river shifted its path over the weekend, missing Northern California and heading northwest.
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“The rainfall was pretty decent, with a few hundredths to a few tenths over North Bay,” said the National Weather Service. “The highest amounts are over the coastal mountains like Mt Tam, which approaches three-quarters of an inch.”
“The morning commute will not be a total washout,” said the weather forecasters. “Some wet roads will be possible. The shower activity will be over by Thursday afternoon. “
Originally, forecasters believed that a Category 1 atmospheric river would roll into the Bay Area on Sunday evening, bringing more intense rainfall with it.
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On Thursday morning, forecasters rolled back that forecast when the strong plume of moisture in the Pacific began to track northwards.
“The latest atmospheric river forecasts have scaled back the potential for Monday and Tuesday,” said forecasters. “It now looks like California is still getting a moisture boost, but the stronger boost previously advertised has shifted north. Deterministic models have also withdrawn in the case of precipitation on Monday / Tuesday. “
Meanwhile, federal drought officials released their latest weekly update Thursday morning, showing improvements in arid conditions in the Bay Area.
Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties were all in extreme conditions.
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While Napa, Contra Costa, and Napa counties continue to experience exceptional drought conditions.
