Rain, wind expected to increase later Monday

Monday morning provided a little respite and overnight rain throughout the region, but that was expected to change later Monday as heavier rain, gusty winds and even thunderstorms are on the forecast, the National Weather Service said.

Rainfall Sunday night, with some exceptions, was not as heavy as anticipated. There were still downed trees that closed some roadways and minor flooding overnight, but no major power outages, officials said.

“We still had some decent rainfall overnight across the area, but the amounts were not as high as they could have been,” said Roger Gass, a NWS meteorologist.

Some exceptions were the Mt. Diablo peak, which recorded .24 inches and Walnut Creek which had .22 inches.

But places like Fremont and Richmond only recorded .02 inches. San Jose and the Oakland airport recorded .01 inches and San Francisco had no measurable amount.

Trees fell in different parts of Oakland and minor flooding was reported in Dublin, Hayward and in Contra Costa County.

The California Highway Patrol reported Monday that a portion of Niles Canyon Road, also known as state route 84, west of  Sunol sustained a partial road collapse and that  Caltrans was on scene  providing one-way traffic control until 5:00 p.m. Monday when  a full road closure will happen. The CHP said Caltrans will return Tuesday morning to reassess with long term plans to be determined.

But the weather expected later Monday could have a greater impact, the NWS said.

Periods of moderate to heavy rains with gusty winds are forecast, with the chances of thunderstorms increasing Monday afternoon into early evening. Showers are expected to linger into mid week before dry conditions return and rain is expected to return on the weekend, the NWS said.

Gass said “some areas may be really wet and others are  not going to be. It’s a hit and miss situation.”

There is a flood watch through Wednesday morning and high surf and wind advisories until 4 a.m. Tuesday, the NWS said.

A winter storm warning remained in effect in the Greater Lake Tahoe Region with snow showers, some heavy, and thunderstorms a possibility through Monday night and into early Tuesday. Snow accumulation could be  3 to 9 inches  with 6 to 12 inches above 7,000 feet.