This Christmas Eve, folks across Marin County—from Novato to Mill Valley and from the slopes of Mount Tamalpais to the shores of Sausalito—are bracing for another powerful Pacific storm. Forecasters expect heavy rain, strong winds, and some pretty rough driving conditions, just as families in San Rafael, Corte Madera, Larkspur, and Fairfax gear up for holiday gatherings and last-minute travel.
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Christmas Eve Storm Targets Marin’s Hills and Valleys
National Weather Service meteorologists are tracking a moisture-rich system that’s aiming right at the North Bay. In Marin’s coastal and upland spots—from Point Reyes Station and Stinson Beach to the ridgelines above Mill Valley—the storm should bring long stretches of rain and gusty winds.
Higher elevations in west and central Marin, especially around Mount Tamalpais and the Marin Headlands, might see up to 4 inches of rain before the system finally moves out.
Storm Timing: When the Worst Weather Will Hit
Meteorologists say the heaviest rainfall should arrive from late Wednesday evening through Thursday morning. That’s when communities like San Anselmo, Ross, and Greenbrae—with their low-lying streets and creekside neighborhoods—need to watch out for sudden downpours.
Conditions might start to improve by Thursday afternoon. Residents in places like Tiburon, Belvedere, Terra Linda, and Lucas Valley could get a break and maybe even dry out a bit before the holiday, but forecasters still say wet roads and lingering showers could make Christmas Eve travel tricky.
Flood Watch and High Wind Advisory for the North Bay
The National Weather Service has a flood watch in place for the North Bay, covering all of Marin County through Friday night. This includes urban spots like downtown San Rafael and neighborhoods near creeks in Novato and Fairfax, plus rural areas in West Marin.
At the same time, a high wind advisory runs from Tuesday night through early Wednesday. That’s got people worried about power outages, falling branches, and tough driving along Highway 101, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, and Highway 1.
How Strong Will the Winds Be?
Wind gusts could hit a wild 70 mph at Marin’s highest peaks, especially along the ridges of Mount Tamalpais and up above Muir Beach and Bolinas. Down in the valleys—places like Novato, San Rafael, Corte Madera, and Sausalito—gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range seem likely.
These winds might topple trees and send debris onto roads in neighborhoods from Marin City to Kentfield, especially where the ground is still soaked from the last storm.
Recent Storm Brought Heavy Rain but Limited Damage
This new system is following on the heels of a seriously wet storm that already drenched most of Marin earlier in the week. That one dumped big totals on the county’s signature peak and coastal villages, but honestly, it didn’t cause as much damage as some feared.
Mount Tamalpais picked up a whopping 10.57 inches of rain over three days ending Monday afternoon. Coastal West Marin spots got hit hard too, including:
- Point Reyes Station: 3.79 inches of rain
- Sausalito: 2.5 inches of rain
Forecasters also clocked gusts up to 45 mph on Mount Tamalpais during that storm, rattling trees all the way from Mill Valley to Larkspur.
Local Response: Quick Cleanup, Few Major Problems
Even with all that rain, Marin County officials said there was no major flooding. Public works crews cleared fallen trees in places like San Anselmo, Ross, and Kentfield pretty fast, so most main routes stayed open.
Still, the messy weather led to 15 traffic crashes across Marin on Sunday and Monday, lots of them from hydroplaning. Drivers in Novato, San Rafael, and along the 101 corridor really need to slow down and leave extra space as this new storm rolls in.
Reservoir Levels: Helpful Rain, But Still Behind
All this rain has nudged local water supplies up, but we’re still not at last year’s levels. Reservoir storage in Marin—key for communities like San Rafael, Mill Valley, and Ross Valley—is sitting at about 79% of capacity right now.
At this time last year, those same reservoirs were around 95% full, which just shows how recent dry years are still affecting us. For folks in Novato, Fairfax, and beyond, this storm’s a mixed bag: it helps water supplies, but also brings short-term flood and travel headaches.
Regional Picture: Northern California Under the Gun
Marin’s Christmas Eve storm is part of a bigger pattern stretching across Northern California. Heavy rain and flooding risks reach across much of the region, with a flood watch covering big chunks of the Sacramento Valley.
Up in the Sierra Nevada and the southern Cascades, forecasters are calling for several feet of snow. That’s bound to complicate holiday travel for Marin families heading out from San Rafael, Larkspur, or Novato—so maybe double-check those travel plans.
Staying Safe in Marin During the Holiday Storm
Rain, wind, and holiday traffic are all crashing together this week. Folks across Marin—from the houseboats in Sausalito to the steep hills above Mill Valley—shouldn’t ignore the basics:
- Leave yourself extra time if you’re driving on Highway 101, Sir Francis Drake, or even the smaller roads.
- Stay away from flooded intersections and any fast-moving water, especially around creeks.
- Tie down outdoor furniture and decorations if you live somewhere gusty, like Novato or Marin City.
- Charge your devices ahead of time, since power can go out in those hillside neighborhoods.
This Christmas Eve, the storm rolling through Marin County feels pretty familiar. If you’ve lived here a while, you know the drill—weather hits hard, and everyone keeps an eye on the creeks, ridges, and those reservoirs that always seem to matter most.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin forecast includes heavy rain on Christmas
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