Here comes the rain again

Here comes the rain again, no not the song by Annie Lennox, but actual rain that is forecast to effect California next week after a long period of dry weather. The first system is slated to arrive on the 31st of this month or late on the 30th depending on which of the models turns out to be correct. Looking at the forecasts from the models suggests that there will be 4 waves with the largest/strongest occurring on April 1st or around Thursday of next week. All in all the models are suggesting that the remnants of a tropical system out in the South Pacific will get entrained into the Westerlies and bring a 200KT jet stream aimed at Oregon which would form a decent low pressure of around 980MB and drive it south into California. The center of this low is forecast to move over the San Francisco Bay Area on April 1st bringing high winds and possible heavy rain. With the amounts still questionable because of the long-range reliability of the models I'll leave the forecast for actual amounts until this weekend but if the models are right than we would be looking at 2-3" of rain as a weekly total from all 4 waves. Winds would also be problematic as the GFS suggests 50KT winds aloft to whip the coastal areas and hills which would translate to gusts of 60MPH in those areas. In summary expecting a return of wet weather to California with the bulk of the percip falling in NorCal but SoCal will also get some significant percip totals if the models forecasts pan out. Even though we are late in the season now, it looks like winter rains are still going to effect us. As a side note, I'll have the Summer forecast out later tonight.