Funnel Cloud And Hail Warning Issued As Norcal Braces For More Thunderstorms

After a day of flash flood warnings, toppled trees, and car crashes, Northern California got a brief break from the atmospheric river-fueled storm that dropped about a month's worth of rain in a day. But we're not done yet, according to the National Weather Service.

Weather officials said to expect additional shower activity through the day. A weather advisory was issued for Monterey County Tuesday afternoon as the weather service warned of a possible funnel cloud and hail.

The chance for lingering showers will continue through the night. Thunderstorm or not, storm cells will still be capable of producing heavy rainfall resulting in urban flooding, small hail, waterspouts, and erratic and gusty winds, weather officials warned.

San Francisco can expect a 40 percent chance of showers, mainly before 11pm. The chances of rain tonight in Sonoma and Marin counties is even lower. Cities in Contra Costa County will see light showers until about 11 p.m.

Still, some of the showers will produce heavy rain, according to weather service officials, who cautioned drivers to keep their "heads up" on roads where water puddled in the roadway could create driving hazards.

"With similar ingredients on tap for today as what was present yesterday, I would be very surprised if today outperformed yesterday given the very limited amount of lightning that was observed," one weather official wrote.

On Monday, the Bay Area saw near record rainfall totals in some places, according to the National Weather Service.

Rainfall totals ranged from nearly half-an inch in the Mill Valley area to nearly 3 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The San Jose Airport saw 1.52 inches of rain, the second rainiest October day on record going back more than 100 years, the SFGATE reported.

The chance of thunderstorms dropped today to a maximum of 15 percent in Southern Monterey and San Benito counties and adjacent waters.

But the warnings were restrained compared to Monday, when the weather service issued flood warnings for Napa and Sonoma, and advisories for large swaths of Marin County as a result of the storms.

Of particular concern were areas burned in recent fires. The National Weather Service issued an alert shortly after 3 p.m. that heavy rain was falling over the Pickett Burn Area, just east of Calistoga.

Today, despite the respite from rain, weather officials warned this system is a "cold one," yielding near-freezing temperatures and patchy frost for far interior Monterey and San Benito Counties east of Highway 101.

Residents should also be prepared for fog tonight.

Most of the Northern California can expect blue skys and warmer weather from Wednesday to Saturday. Unsettled weather returns Sunday.

Just coming off the heels of a storm, this warming and drying trend will
not be a fire weather concern, according to the weather service. Authorities in Sonoma and Napa counties lifted burn permit suspensions today.

In contrast, conditions on the water are still hazardous, according to the weather service, which forecasts seas in excess of 10 feet over the outer waters. However, overall conditions will gradually improve late Tuesday into Wednesday.