After a night of fierce winds, thunder, and an early morning hail storm, the National Weather Service issued an emergency flash flood warning for San Francisco, Daly City, and South San Francisco, urging residents to move to high ground and “avoid walking or driving through flood waters.”
The message came as heavy wind, rain, and hail pelted the city.
In addition to the current storm, the National Weather Service, warned that another moisture-laden atmospheric river will bring heavy rains, strong winds, and thunderstorms to the region starting Wednesday morning. The already saturated ground mixed with heavy winds and rain could lead to additional flooding and increased risk of falling limbs and trees across the city.
Wednesday’s storm is also expected to dump several feet of snow along the Sierra Nevada mountains, including the Lake Tahoe region, which has already issued winter storm and avalanche warnings for the area.
A Gale Warning is in effect along the Bay Area and Central Coast, with winds expected from 25-35mpg and gusts up to 50mph. A gale is defined as persistent, harsh, and incredibly strong winds between 31-63mph. This type of prolonged, powerful wind is also responsible for recent damage to SF’s beloved Camera Obscura at Land’s End, as well as downed trees across SF.
You can find info about this and future storms at the National Weather Service website and Twitter page.
Stay safe out there, SF.
Featured image: Grant MacHamer