Here’s when rain will be heaviest this week

Multiple storm systems will deliver wet weather to the Golden State this week, with 2 to 5 inches of rain expected in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego through Friday.

Rain showers are in the forecast for all of the Bay Area on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the heaviest rain will come in two spurts, from separate storm systems Monday and Wednesday.

Monday’s rain will vary in intensity, as locally heavy downpours and thunderstorms could cause urban flooding in low-lying areas and along roadways. Gusts are also possible, especially along the coast, up to 40 mph.

Tuesday will feature continued light to moderate rain showers, before another storm system approaches overnight. Wednesday will likely be the wettest day of the week for much of the Bay Area, with totals ranging from 1 to 2.5 inches.

Heavy rain showers are expected across the Bay Area on Monday morning, as the storm system swings toward the California coast. Some downpours and thunderstorms are also possible, leading to areas of standing water on roadways during the morning commute. Showers, heavy at times, will continue through the afternoon into the night.

San Francisco and Oakland can expect around an inch of rain, with about a half inch in San Jose, while the North Bay sees locally higher amounts. Gusts are expected along the coast, up to 40 mph in Half Moon Bay.

Freezing levels will be high with the first storm, nearly 8,000 feet, meaning Lake Tahoe will mainly see rain, not snow.

While moderate rain showers are expected to continue Tuesday, another storm will arrive early Wednesday, raising the chance for another heavy rainfall event.

Weather models indicate a band of heavy precipitation Wednesday could drop an inch or two of rain in just a few short hours, which would likely lead to urban flooding. While confidence is high that this rain band will station itself somewhere over the Bay Area, the exact location is tricky to nail down. Details will become clearer as the storm approaches. Regardless, San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose can expect 1 to 2.5 inches of rain Wednesday.

The system will slide down the coast throughout the week, as rain showers slowly taper off Wednesday night. Thursday will be the wettest day of the week in Southern California. Los Angeles and San Diego could each receive between 1 to 3 inches of rain Thursday alone, and up to 4 inches total by Friday night.

Wednesday’s storm will bring colder air and lower freezing levels than the first storm. The Central and Southern Sierra should pick up some decent snowfall totals, with 1 to 2 feet at Mammoth Mountain and other elevations above 7,000 feet south of Lake Tahoe.

Philadelphia, New York and New England face a big rain and wind storm Monday and Tuesday, with possible flooding. Tuesday morning will be snowy in Ohio, eastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York. East Coast weather will then quiet down through Christmas Day.

Folks heading to Southern California for an early start to the holiday weekend should plan for periods of heavy rain along I-5 and Highway 101 on Wednesday and Thursday. California weather will be quieter for pre-Christmas travel Saturday and Sunday, before rain potentially returns to Northern California on Christmas Day.

San Francisco: Rain jackets and umbrellas will be a necessity as heavy rain showers and gusts up to 30 mph are expected throughout the day. Residents may hear a clap of thunder on their way to work in the morning.

After steady morning rain, showers will be off and on in the afternoon and evening. Highs will be around 60 in the Sunset and Richmond districts, and in the lower 60s in the Mission District, SoMa and downtown. Showers will continue overnight, with lows in the mid-50s. Monday’s rainfall totals should be around an inch.

North Bay: Stormy weather is expected from the get-go, with widespread heavy rain and the chance for a few lightning strikes before noon. Morning downpours will likely lead to standing water along Highway 101 through Sonoma and Marin counties.

Showers, while heavy at times, will be hit or miss in the afternoon. Rainfall totals will be around an inch in Solano and Napa counties, and up to 2 inches in Sonoma and Marin counties. Highs will be in the upper 50s.

Strong gusts up to 40 mph are possible in Bodega Bay and Point Reyes throughout the day. Wind will wait until the evening to ramp up in Santa Rosa, Napa and Petaluma, gusting up to 30 mph. Lows will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s, with showers continuing overnight.

East Bay: Monday is expected to be the wettest day of the season so far in many East Bay cities. The morning commute could be slow, with downpours capable of causing low visibility and ponding on the roadway.

Rainfall totals will be around three-quarters of an inch in Oakland, Hayward and Fremont, while the Berkeley hills could record nearly an inch and a half. While the hills will squeeze out some of the moisture, enough rain is expected in Concord and Livermore to make Monday the wettest day since March. Half an inch or more of rain is likely along I-680, with locally heavier totals.

Highs will be in the lower 60s, with lows in the lower 50s. Rain showers will continue overnight, adding up to another half inch.

Pacific Coast and Peninsula: A few morning thunderclaps could give San Mateo County residents a rude awakening to a stormy day. While thunderstorms are less likely in the afternoon, heavy rain showers will continue through the evening and overnight. Rainfall totals are expected to range from an inch and a half in Half Moon Bay and three-quarters of an inch in Redwood City.

Along with the rain, it will also be windy at the beaches. Occasional gusts of up to 40 mph are possible in Half Moon Bay and El Granada. Gusts around 25 mph are expected elsewhere. High temperatures will be in the lower 60s, with lows in the lower to mid-50s.

South Bay and Santa Cruz: After missing out on much of the fall rain so far this season, San Jose could finally be in for a decent soaking. Heavy rain, including a chance of lightning, is expected in the morning. Showers will become lighter by the afternoon, but the chances continue through the evening and overnight hours. The Santa Clara Valley should see around a half inch of rain.

Santa Cruz County will be in line for heaviest rain, with 1 to 2 inches expected. It will also be windy, with gusts up to 30 mph in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and exposed peaks in the mountains.

Highs will be in the lower 60s in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties, with lows in the lower to mid-50s. Rain showers will persist throughout the night.