Storm Brewing: Heavy Winds, Rain To Hit, Along With Possible Flooding

BAY AREA, CA – A new storm will bring rain, wind and possible flooding to the Bay Area on Thursday afternoon but is expected to taper off by Friday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rain and winds will likely hamper the afternoon commute and forecasters are calling for up to 1.5 inches of rain in the region's valley areas and up to 4 inches in the hills.

Steady southerly winds of between 15 and 30 mph will push through the Bay Area ahead of the storm, with possible gusts of up to 40 mph, according to the weather service.

The storm's main impacts will hit Thursday morning in the North Bay and will move over the entire region in the afternoon and evening. It's expected to linger through the pre-dawn hours of Friday.

Forecasters have issued flash-flood warnings for the areas burned by the Loma and Soberanes fires and say drought-weakened trees are particularly vulnerable to being downed and could result in power outages
around the region.

Urban flooding is likely around the Bay Area during the storm, especially in Marin County, according to the weather service. (See: Heads Up: King Tides Could Cause Flooding Along Hwys 101/1 In Marin County.)

The storm will coincide with so-called "king tides," naturally occurring and very high tides that can contribute to flooding, especially along coastal areas and near creeks and estuaries.

The high tide at the Golden Gate Bridge will arrive around noon Thursday, just as the heaviest rains are expected, according to the weather service.

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--Bay City News/Morguefile image