A fire hose in the sky, known as an atmospheric river, will dominate the West Coast weather pattern this week. This strong atmospheric river-fueled storm is forecast to bring heavy precipitation totals and major flooding to the Pacific Northwest, while California remains comparatively drier. By the time the river of moisture reaches the Bay Area on Wednesday, it will fade to the intensity of a stream or creek. San Francisco should still get a decent soaking, but the North Bay will get the heaviest precipitation, up to an inch. Showers are forecast to hang around Thursday and Friday as temperatures trend downward late in the week.

Related articles: 

• The Washington Post: Conga line of atmospheric rivers to dump heavy rains, snows in Pacific Northwest 
• CNN: Atmospheric rivers churning over Northwest are forecast to inundate the region with heavy rain and possible flooding
• Newsweek: Map shows cities most at risk as atmospheric river hits US