Heavy rain looms for Friday commute

More heavy rainfall is headed to the Bay Area in the form of two storms starting overnight Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The first of two storms is expected to begin around 11 p.m. Thursday and continue through Friday morning, with the second hitting Friday night and into Saturday morning, weather service officials said.

Most of the rain Friday will occur during morning commute hours and taper off throughout the day. Coastal mountain ranges could receive between 2 and 4 inches while inland areas could receive between 1.5 to 2.5 inches, according to forecaster Steve Anderson.

AAA Northern California is advising drivers to prepare their vehicles to help prevent crashes and accidents during the rainy weather.

“The combination of poorly maintained vehicles and driver error, along with loss of visibility and slick roads, cause thousands of preventable crashes each year,” AAA spokeswoman Cynthia Harris said in a statement.

AAA officials said some of the ways to winterize vehicles include checking the systems within the car, inspecting tires for pressure and balding, adjusting speeds based on the weather and recognizing hydroplaning hazards.

AAA officials said even a small amount of water on the road can cause a vehicle to hydroplane.

Some other ways of improving safe winter driving include keeping windows and windshields clear, carrying an emergency kit, increasing the distance between vehicles on roadways and steering clear of collisions, according to AAA.