San Francisco

Widespread Rain, Gusty Winds and High Waves Lash Bay Area

Another storm system walloped the Bay Area Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing widespread rain, gusty winds and large waves to the region.

The latest storm of the new year has prompted a wind advisory for coastal areas and higher elevations across the Bay Area as well as a high surf advisory for Bay Area beaches, the National Weather Service reported.

The wind advisory took effect at 1 p.m. Tuesday and expires at 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to the weather service. Southerly winds are expected to range between 20 and 30 mph with gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph at some spots along the coast and in the hills. Some gusts could peak at roughly 60 mph at some of the region's higher peaks.

The National Weather Service also issued a High Surf Advisory on Wednesday for Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Sonoma Counties. The warning is in effect until 9 p.m.

"Water temperatures remain in the 50s. Use caution when at the beaches and Never turn your back to the ocean," NWS Bay Area tweeted.

Swells could range between 13 and 17 feet with breaking waves topping out anywhere between 18 and 24 feet. "Favored locations" could see waves soaring above 27 feet.

Winds ramped up Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the weather service reported. Strong winds could topple tree limbs and trees, leading to possible power outages.

When it comes to the rain, the coastal hills and locations in the North Bay are expected to lead the way with 1 to 3 inches of accumulated rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the weather service. Other spots around the Bay Area are predicted to receive anywhere from one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch of rain during the two-day span. 

The weather service cautioned that roadway flooding, creek and stream flooding, and minor landslides and rockslides could be possible in some areas.

Chances of thunderstorms were in the forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday for much of the region, the weather service reported.

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