'Parade Of Storm Systems' To Slam Bay Area With Heavy Rain

SAN FRANCISCO — Life-threatening beach conditions and heavy rain are forecast for the Bay Area this week as a "parade of storm systems" is expected, the National Weather Service said Sunday.

"A widespread impactful system will move through the region Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon," the weather service said in its forecast discussion.

Though Christmas Day is expected to be dry, another cold front will bring more rain on Thursday, with up to 1 inch forecast for the higher terrain of the North Bay.

As for today, San Francisco, the coastal North Bay, the San Francisco Peninsula coast, Monterey Bay and the Big Sur coast are under a high surf advisory until 4 p.m., according to the weather service. A high surf warning and a coastal flood warning are both set to start at 4 p.m. and extend to noon Tuesday, with breakers up to 40 feet predicted in some areas.

"Life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions and significant beach erosion can be expected," according to the weather service. "Large waves can sweep across the beach without warning, pulling people into the sea from rocks, jetties and beaches."

People are advised to stay out of the water and off jetties and piers.

Significant coastal flooding is also expected. In the North Bay — which is forecast to get hit the hardest — rainfall totals of up to 2.5 inches are predicted for higher terrain over Monday and Tuesday, with the area expected to get as much as 6 inches by Saturday, up to 9 inches locally.

"Numerous roads may be closed, and some critical infrastructure will be inundated," according to the weather service. "... Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth."

The rest of the Bay Area will likely see 1-4 inches of rain by Saturday, but there could be up to 5 inches in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the weather service said.

Wind gusts could exceed 45 mph early in the week and isolated thunderstorms are also possible early Tuesday through early Wednesday.