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A frontal boundary is pushing across the region on Christmas Day, delivering periods of heavy rain and the potential for hail and thunderstorms. 

“We had one lightning strike up in Santa Rosa in Sonoma County,” said Cindy Palmer, a meteorologist with the weather service. “We’ve had quite a few strikes off the coast. There is the potential for small hail with these thunderstorms, and heavier showers as well. I think most people will see rain throughout the majority of the day today. We knew we were going to be wet today, and it’s working out that way.”

With soil saturated, trees could come down on Saturday, and nuisance flooding on roadways is also highly likely.

“We’re going to likely see ponding of water on roads,” Palmer said. “If you have to get out and travel today, have patience. Don’t cross areas typically prone to flooding.”

Streams and creeks may see rapid rises in water levels, but they should should remain below flood stage, Palmer said.

Forecasters are closely watching rainfall rates over wildfire burn scars such as the CZU Lightning Complex burn scar in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. 

“Thankfully, nothing has reached the threshold for debris flows so far,” Palmer said.

A blast of cold air will push into the region Monday and Tuesday, and low-elevation snow is possible, mainly above 1,500 feet but the fresh powder could fall in the North Bay and East Bay valleys. 

“We’re going to stay pretty showery behind this Christmas system,” said Palmer. “We get a bit of a break late evening tonight and Sunday morning, and then Sunday afternoon and evening the next wave comes, more rain. This system that’s coming in tomorrow evening and into Monday is going to bring significantly colder air with it, so we could see a dusting of snow on our higher elevations. I know I’ve seen a little talk of low-elevation snow in the North Bay. I think it will be a question of will the moisture still be there by the time the cold air arrives.”

Wet weather remains in the forecast through Wednesday. Conditions may finally dry Thursday, Friday and Saturday of next week, but another storm is in the forecast just after the new year.