Rain expected to return to the Bay Area Tuesday but no concerns yet about flooding or high surf

Enjoy the sun on New Year’s Day because it will be replaced Tuesday by rain and other “unsettled weather” that will continue through Thursday. Related Articles Fortunately, the amount of rain arriving with this Pacific storm should mostly be “beneficial” — about half an inch inland and up 1.5 to 2 inches near the coast, forecasters at the National Weather Service said.

If there is any coastal flooding, forecasters said it should be “minimal.” Forecasters also have not yet issued any of the high surf warnings that were in effect on Saturday, when powerful waves pounded the coast, particularly beaches in Santa Cruz County. This northwest swell had diminished by Sunday, forecasters said.

However, the new storm could bring strong winds and gusty conditions over the ocean by the middle of the week, and forecasters will reevaluate conditions then to see if any warnings are necessary. Forecasters expect a brief respite from the rain on Thursday, with mostly dry conditions that day, followed by another storm starting Friday, with the possibility of snow levels dropping to 2,000 to 4,000 feet by Sunday.

Any planning to travel in the mountains over the weekend should check weather forecasts before leaving..