Finally! Rain To Return to Concord, East Bay This Week

National Weather Service officials are predicting rain for Thursday and the weekend in the Bay Area. Meteorologist Charles Bell said the storm will bring less rain than a large one that hit the region in December, but said it’ll still be substantial.

The North Bay and coastal mountain ranges are expected to get the most rain.

Rain will start falling in the North Bay Thursday and move south through the entire Bay Area by Friday morning, according to weather service officials. The rain will continue through the weekend. There is a chance of urban and small stream flooding, especially in spots in the North Bay, weather service officials said.

Bell asked residents to help prevent flooding by clearing storm drains. Heavy rain is expected at times along coastal mountain ranges. Wind speeds will increase during the day Thursday and gusty conditions are expected late Thursday and Friday.

Winds may gust in excess of 40 mph and gusts at higher elevations may exceed 60 mph, weather service officials said.

Marine conditions are expected to be hazardous because of the gusty winds and building seas, according to the weather service. Roads will be slick after the rain begins and Bell said the first 30 minutes to an hour after the rain begins is the time the roads will be the slickest.

--Bay City News