More rain ahead for Sonoma County

The second of three rain storms blew into Sonoma County on Thursday, bringing about a third of an inch of rain to Santa Rosa and increasing the two-day rainfall total to 1.06 inches, according to the National Weather Service. It was the wettest 48 hours since March 31 and April and 1 when 1.15 inches fell on Santa Rosa.

As much as 1.67 inches fell since late Tuesday on west Sonoma County locations, including Bodega Bay and Cazadero, according to the National Weather Service.

The North Bay is expected to receive a brief lull in precipitation before the third and final storm moves in tonight, said Austin Cross, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

“The rain will continue into Saturday and should be over by the afternoon,” he said.

Rain tonight and Saturday could be a little stronger and bring up to an inch in the hillier parts of Sonoma County and half an inch in Santa Rosa, he said.

The storms are the result of a series of cold fronts coming down from Alaska, he said.

Thursday’s weather wreaked the expected havoc on the county’s roadways, downing trees and leading to car crashes and spinouts. Flooding at the Highway 101 offramp at Petaluma Boulevard South caused Caltrans to put up cautionary signs.

“It’s been your typical rainy day,” said CHP Officer Steve Fricke.

He said a downed tree closed Olivet Road between Guerneville and Piner roads in west Santa Rosa for much of the morning. At noon, an injury accident involving a big rig at River and Martinelli roads near Forestville had closed River Road, requiring a detour down Old River Road.

“Any time you add water to the roadway, people tend not to reduce their speeds enough,” he said. “It doesn’t take much to hydroplane.”

He reminded people it’s a legal requirement to turn on headlights when windshield wipers are activated. He also asked drivers to give plenty of space between cars and drive an appropriate speed for the weather conditions.

Staff Writer Jamie Hansen blogs about education at extracredit.blogs.press

democrat.com. You can reach her at 521-5205 or jamie.hansen@press

democrat.com. On Twitter @jamiehansen.

Editor’s note: This story has been update to reflect the latest two-day rainfall totals available from the National Weather Service on Friday morning.