A series of Pacific storms is forecast to bring heavy rain, mountain snow and dangerous coastal conditions to California and the western United States beginning Friday, November 13, 2026.
The first system will affect the San Francisco Bay Area, western Oregon and Washington before moving inland. Another storm is expected Sunday, with a third potentially arriving Wednesday.
- A powerful cold front will bring heavy rain to the Bay Area on Friday, with localized flooding possible during high tide.
- Northern California could see coastal waves reaching 35 feet on Saturday, while Sierra Nevada mountain passes face hazardous snow and wind.
- Additional Pacific storms are forecast Sunday and potentially Wednesday, consistent with expectations for a wetter El Niño winter.
Winter storm warnings cover parts of the Sierra Nevada, including Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes, where up to 2 feet of snow could accumulate at higher elevations.
San Francisco could experience its heaviest rainfall in more than six months. Forecasters expect widespread accumulations of 1-2 inches across the Bay Area through Monday morning.
Heavy rain threatens San Francisco Bay Area
A cold front approaching from the Gulf of Alaska is expected to reach Northern California Friday morning, bringing the week’s first substantial rainfall.
The heaviest precipitation is forecast between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., moving from the North Bay into San Francisco and Oakland around midday before reaching the South Bay.
Rainfall totals of 0.5-1 inch are expected, with the greatest accumulations in the North Bay mountains. Short periods of intense rainfall could overwhelm drainage systems and cause minor flooding on roads and near small streams.
Southerly wind gusts of 25-40 mph could disrupt ferry services and bring down tree branches, particularly where trees still retain their autumn foliage.
Elevated coastal water levels may worsen flooding in low-lying Bay Area communities. High tide is expected around 12:50 p.m. Friday, with water levels potentially reaching 1.5 feet above normal.
Marin County faces particular exposure where strong winds and heavy rainfall coincide with the incoming tide.
The cold front should clear the region by Friday evening, leaving scattered showers and cooler temperatures. Inland overnight lows could fall into the 40s.
Sierra Nevada faces blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall
As the storm advances east, rapidly falling temperatures will lower the snow line across the Sierra Nevada.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for areas including Greater Lake Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes, with snowfall potentially reaching 2 feet at higher elevations through Saturday.
Winds could gust to 45 mph around Truckee and Lake Tahoe communities and reach 90 mph along exposed ridges, creating dangerous travel conditions.
Blizzard-like weather is possible around Donner Summit beginning Friday afternoon. Heavy snowfall, blowing snow and reduced visibility could make mountain crossings hazardous.
The system is also expected to produce snow across the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.
Wind advisories affect more than 5 mn people across parts of California, Oregon and Nevada, where some locations could experience gusts up to 65 mph.
California coast faces dangerous surf and flooding
A powerful Pacific swell will build Friday night and peak Saturday morning along Northern and Central California.
High surf warnings extend from Monterey to Crescent City, with waves potentially reaching 25 feet Friday and 35 feet Saturday.
The National Weather Service has warned of life-threatening beach conditions, with significant wave heights of 20-30 feet expected along much of the Northern and Central California coast.
Especially large breakers are possible at Mavericks and other exposed coastal locations.
Southern California is under a high surf advisory from Friday through Tuesday, with waves forecast at 8-14 feet.
Saturday’s inland weather should be comparatively calmer, with partly sunny conditions and isolated showers. Bay Area daytime temperatures are expected in the low to mid-60s.
Another storm expected Sunday as El Niño pattern develops
A second Pacific system is forecast to arrive in Northern California late Sunday afternoon, bringing additional rain, gusty winds and mountain snowfall.
The storm may be somewhat weaker than Friday’s system, with Bay Area rainfall totals estimated at 0.25-0.75 inches. Scattered showers and rough marine conditions could persist into Monday.
A further round of unsettled weather is possible Wednesday as the series of Pacific disturbances continues.
Additional rainfall could push San Francisco above its November average of approximately 2.6 inches, with forecasts indicating above-normal precipitation during the coming winter.
The expected sequence is associated with a developing, historically strong El Niño pattern that could favor frequent Pacific storms across the western United States over the next six months.
