San Francisco may be in for a rainy Christmas this year. The stormy December weather is returning to San Francisco starting this Friday, with eight total days of rain predicted through next Friday, December 26. The rain is likely to start tonight, with a 40% chance of rain mostly after 10 pm. The rain will continue throughout the weekend and for most of next weekend, ending on Friday, December 26.
According to the National Weather Service, they have increasing confidence that storms will start on Sunday, December 21, and continue through the Christmas holidays, which is likely to impact travel on the West Coast. Potential impacts beyond holiday travel include flooding in urban areas and increased damage in areas already affected by the storms.
Rain over the next few days is expected to be light to moderate, with moderate to heavy rain starting Saturday at approximately 4 pm and continuing through Tuesday. Then, the third system is forecasted to have moderate to heavy rainfall through 10 am on Friday, December 26. Starting on Saturday, as rainfall is expected to increase, flash floods are a potential risk in low-lying flood areas. Forecasts are always subject to change, so be sure to continue to check the National Weather Service website for current updates.
While a rainy weekend isn’t ideal, there are still plenty of cozy indoor activities to do in San Francisco. Additionally, many outdoor events that have been planned for the weekend have moved indoors to accommodate the weather, including the artisan market at the Fairmont Hotel and the Fort Mason Night Market.
For current weather forecasts and advisories, we recommend checking the National Weather Service’s San Francisco page here. Plus, you can follow the NWS on X for more updates.