Rain expected to sweep across Bay Area

Wet weather is coming to the Bay Area starting Friday and it should last through much of next week, a National Weather Service forecaster said.

The rain will start at about noon Friday and continue into Saturday, with heavy rain at times across the Bay Area through next Wednesday, forecaster Steve Anderson said.

The surf and winds will not be as high as during a storm that hit the region this past Sunday, Anderson said:

“It’s mostly going to be a rain event.”

Weather service officials expect two to four inches of rain in the North Bay, one to two inches in San Francisco and about an inch in both the East and South Bays, according to Anderson.

The above normal rainfall will be near the Oregon border, where 10 to 12 inches is expected, he said.

He said the storm is not going to be an El Niño event but rather another winter storm.

In the Bay Area, rain is forecast to fall at least once in each 24-hour period, Anderson said.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials are predicting extreme high tides, called King tides, in Marin County from Monday through Wednesday before Christmas.

High tides, but not King tides, are forecast for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas, NOAA officials said.

Marin County sheriff’s officials said the high tides and King tides will likely flood roads, and the flooding could mean those traveling have to take a different route.

Caltrans told sheriff’s officials that the potential for flooding will last until Dec. 28.

Sheriff’s officials are reminding drivers to avoid driving through ponded water and to allow extra time for travel during peak commuter times and on holiday travel days.