Thunderstorms Expected Across San Francisco Bay Area This Weekend

Strong winds, heavy rain, and small hail forecast for Saturday afternoon into Sunday

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:27pm by

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a dramatic thunderstorm moving across the San Francisco Bay Area, with the Golden Gate Bridge and other landmarks dwarfed by the towering, turbulent clouds.A thunderstorm of epic proportions looms over the San Francisco Bay, underscoring the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events.San Francisco Today

The San Francisco Bay Area is bracing for a significant thunderstorm system that is expected to move across the region on Saturday, bringing strong and erratic winds, brief heavy rain, small hail, and isolated waterspouts. The storm impacts are forecast to begin around 3 p.m. and continue through the evening and overnight into Sunday, with stormy weather on and off before a dry period arrives on Sunday night.

Why it matters

Thunderstorms can pose risks to public safety, infrastructure, and transportation in the densely populated Bay Area. Residents and businesses will need to take precautions against potential power outages, flash flooding, and dangerous driving conditions during the storm.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, the thunderstorms will bring wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph, along with brief heavy rain and small hail. Over the past 24 to 36 hours, the highest elevations of the Santa Cruz mountains have already received around 1.5 inches of rain, while other areas like Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Napa, and Concord have seen between 0.5 and 1 inch.

  • The storm is expected to move across the Bay Area beginning around 3 p.m. on Saturday.
  • Stormy weather will continue through the evening and overnight into Sunday.
  • A dry period will begin on Sunday night after the on-and-off stormy conditions.

The players

National Weather Service

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

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What they’re saying

“Saturday will have the greatest potential for thunderstorms, with strong and erratic winds, brief heavy rain, small hail, and isolated waterspouts.”

— National Weather Service

The takeaway

Residents and businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area should closely monitor weather forecasts and be prepared to take appropriate safety precautions during the expected thunderstorms this weekend, including securing outdoor items, avoiding unnecessary travel, and being alert for potential power outages or flash flooding.