If you are in Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Danville, San Ramon, or Lamorinda and staring at sheets of rain right now, the basic answer is: the worst of this storm is today, Thursday November 13, with conditions easing tonight and much lighter, showery weather through the weekend.
The big, intense part of this atmospheric river is fairly short lived over the 925. The National Weather Service says the main rain band slams the heart of the Bay Area this morning, then moves east as winds gradually back off later in the day. National Weather Service
Cool, unsettled weather sticks around into early next week, but what we are dealing with today is the peak of the storm.
Today in the 925: Peak of the Storm
As of Thursday morning, a strong atmospheric river is aimed at Northern California, including Contra Costa and the Tri-Valley. A powerful cold front is dragging a band of heavy rain and strong southerly winds across the Bay Area, which is why your windows may be rattling and gutters are overflowing.
The National Weather Service Bay Area forecast discussion highlights:
- Moderate to heavy rain with a chance of thunderstorms today.
- Strong wind gusts, with some places in the region seeing gusts up to around 60 mph in the hills.
So When Does the Heavy Stuff Actually Stop?
For most readers in the 925, the answer is: the worst of the rain and wind should fade later today.
Meteorologists tracking the cold front say the strongest rain and wind focus on the Thursday morning commute, with the main band of heavy rain sweeping through the core Bay Area between roughly 4 am and late morning. After that, the front moves inland, and winds gradually back off as the day goes on.
In practical terms for the 925:
- Thursday morning: Expect the roughest conditions. Heavy rain, ponding on roads, low visibility, and gusty winds.
- Thursday midday to afternoon: Still showery and breezy, but the truly intense band eases. Winds and rainfall rates trend downward.
- Thursday evening and night: Mostly lighter rain or showers, with winds continuing to diminish.
If you have flexibility, the most hazardous driving window is this morning. Conditions should slowly become more manageable late this afternoon and tonight, even though the pavement will stay wet.
What About Friday and the Weekend?
Once this core atmospheric river passes, the pattern does not snap back to clear blue skies right away, but it does step down several notches.
The National Weather Service describes a move from a strong, focused rain band to a more scattered, showery pattern as the upper trough lingers and then slowly shifts east.
Based on the current forecast:
- Friday (Nov 14):
Skies stay mostly cloudy early, but we begin to see breaks of sun in the 925. Any remaining rain should be lighter and more showery, with many inland neighborhoods seeing long dry stretches. - Saturday (Nov 15):
A better mix of sun and clouds. Another system offshore may increase clouds later, but inland Contra Costa and the Tri-Valley look to have a decent amount of dry time, with only a few showers. - Sunday into Monday (Nov 16–17):
Forecast models hint at a weaker, follow-up system that could keep showers in the picture, particularly later Sunday into Monday, but with much lower rain totals compared to today. Temperatures stay on the cool side of normal.
If you are planning kids sports, errands, or outdoor time, Friday afternoon and Saturday currently look like your best bets for drier breaks, especially away from the hills.
For more local weather breakdowns, road closure updates, and ideas for what to do when the sun peeks back out, sign up for the free 925 News newsletter here: https://bay-area-telegraph.ck.page/317a2ba0d5
