The North Bay could also shoot past its seasonal averages, which are about 3.5 inches in Sonoma and 1.7 inches in Napa.

Despite significant rainfall in the forecast, Sarment says the flood risk does not appear to be high. Due to the dry fall, soils are not yet highly saturated, and the storm’s long, consistent pattern should reduce pressure on drainage systems.

“We are expecting a lot of rain, but something very important to note is that we are not expecting any regular river flooding at this time,” Sarment said. “There is a 0 to 5% chance that we cannot completely rule out, but that is not in the forecast at this time.”

San Francisco typically sees a higher risk when rain falls at a rate of more than an inch at a time, making flooding unlikely there this week barring clogged drains or an unexpected roadblock.

“I’m not trying to undermine what we expect, but (that’s) the good news,” Sarment told KQED.

Still, people should prepare as much as possible for rainy, windy conditions. Sarment advised people to clean gutters, identify trees that may have loose branches or roots on their property, and secure outdoor furniture that could be blown away.

Once the storm begins, it is important to keep an eye out for downed power lines that may be active and avoid driving in flooded areas.

“Honestly, it would just be a good weekend to stay home and just stay out of the way,” she said. “I’m sure there will be trees down, power lines down and all that kind of stuff.”