Pair of storms line up for rainy Bay Area week

A strong storm is possible on Thursday in the Bay Area in the second of two rain systems forecasted for the week, National Weather Service officials said today.

The first storm on Monday and Tuesday will bring up to 1.75 inches to some North Bay locations while areas south of the Golden Gate can expect less than half an inch.

But a second system on Thursday is expected to bring much more widespread and heavier rain south of the Golden Gate with up to two inches possible in some areas through Friday.

Forecasters are uncertain right now where the heaviest rain will fall, but it could cause debris flows in the Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia mountains where the Loma and Soberanes fires burned thousands of acres, according to weather officials.

A week ago the officials issued flash flood warnings for both areas as well as the area burned by the Chimney Fire, which is also in the Santa Lucia Mountains.

Strong and gusty winds are possible on Thursday, weather officials said. While strong and gusty winds are also possible on Monday and Tuesday, they will not reach advisory levels.