Storm Brings Rain and Snow to Bay Area

Drought-stricken region to see first significant rainfall in weeks

Mar. 31, 2026 at 9:53pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cold front is bringing rain and snow to the Bay Area starting Tuesday, with the heaviest precipitation expected Wednesday night. The storm is expected to provide a modest and short-lived boost to the Sierra Nevada snowpack, which is currently at only 30% of normal. While the rain and snow will provide some relief, forecasters expect the region to return to a drier and warmer pattern in the first half of April.

Why it matters

The Bay Area has been experiencing a severe drought, and this storm system offers a chance to replenish water supplies and boost the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which is a crucial source of water for the region. However, the relief is expected to be temporary, as the weather pattern is likely to return to drier and warmer conditions in the coming weeks.

The details

The rain and snow are being caused by a cold front moving in from the northwest, interacting with a prefrontal air mass pulling moisture up from the subtropics. The North Bay is expected to see the heaviest downpours, with coastal areas potentially receiving 0.5 to 0.75 inch of rain. San Francisco is forecast to receive around 0.2 inch of rain through Thursday. The storm is also expected to bring 4 to 8 inches of snow above 6,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada, with higher elevations potentially seeing increased totals.

  • Rain moved into the Bay Area early Tuesday morning and is expected to continue in generally light fashion through Wednesday.
  • The most significant period of rain is forecast for Wednesday night, with the North Bay seeing the heaviest downpours.
  • By early Thursday morning, around sunrise, the system should be largely finished, with clearing skies and sunshine returning during the day.
  • After the storm, a warming trend is likely bringing a dry pattern back to the region, with the first half of April expected to be drier and warmer than normal.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related warnings and advisories.

Dylan Flynn

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Bay Area office.

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What they’re saying

“The rain and snow at higher elevations are expected to wash away what has been the second driest and hottest March in the record books.”

— Dylan Flynn, Meteorologist

“After this system moves through, the sun's going to come back out on Thursday, and we get another warming trend through the weekend. It's a little iffy what's going to happen after that.”

— Dylan Flynn, Meteorologist

What’s next

The National Weather Service in Sacramento predicts 4 to 8 inches of snow could fall above 6,000 feet, with higher elevations potentially seeing increased totals through Wednesday evening. Further east, the National Weather Service in Reno has issued a winter weather advisory for Mono County at elevations above 8,000 feet, where 6 to 12 inches of snow is expected to accumulate through early Wednesday morning.

The takeaway

This storm system offers a much-needed respite from the drought conditions in the Bay Area, but the relief is expected to be temporary. The region will likely return to a drier and warmer pattern in the coming weeks, underscoring the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and the need for long-term water conservation efforts.