Late October rain may be enough to end fire season

There’s a chance the Bay Area could see above-normal rainfall this month that would slightly improve drought conditions and potentially put an end to the region’s wildfire season, according to meteorologists.

A storm system over the northeastern Pacific Ocean could bring as much as 2 inches of rain from the Bay Area up to Redding from Oct. 20-24.

The heavy rainfall would be “possible near-record-breaking precipitation for late October,” according to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center.

Meteorologist Roger Gass explained the potential record-breaking rainfall would be measured against rainfall for the month of October, not the kinds of showers the Bay Area sees in January and February.

“We’re still looking out ... seven days in advance, so a lot can change between now and then,” said Gass.

“It’s just kind of getting the word out that it looks like we’re going back towards a potential for a wet pattern,” he said.

If weather predictions are accurate, meteorologists said the storm could “quell ongoing wildfire activity, help improve drought conditions ... and replenish water resources throughout the West Coast.”

“It would be good news,” said Gass.

Much of California is facing severe drought conditions after two consecutive years of dry winters, with several reservoirs reaching historic low levels. Eight Bay Area counties, all except San Francisco, have declared a local drought emergency.

Gov. Gavin Newsom also declared a drought emergency for 50 of the state’s 58 counties and called on Californians to reduce water use by 15%, but many have failed to meet that goal.

Jessica Flores is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jessica.flores@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jesssmflores