Storm System Here Until Sunday

It is said that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but as the end of the month approaches, the Bay Area is readying for yet another round of storms.

The next system that hit the region Thursday morning won't be as severe as the storm that brought hail and funnel clouds to the Bay Area last week. But expect pelting rain and strong winds, National Weather Service meteorologist Austin Cross said. 

"There's a possibility of some thunderstorms, but nothing that extreme," he said.

Winds of up to 40 mph are possible, especially in the North Bay coastal hills and in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

There is no flood warning locally, according to the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

"We haven’t had any reports of flooding in Mountain View or elsewhere," said Marty Grimes, spokesman for the SCVWD. "We had some crews out looking for problems and clearing some accumulated debris in some other areas."

Grimes added that "it’s great to have a healthy water supply outlook, and our reservoirs look really nice when they’re full."

Another storm system is expected to arrive Friday night, bringing more rain and wind.

Showers will likely taper off by Sunday.

Cross said he doesn't expect to see severe flooding from the approaching storms but that small creeks and streams could overflow.

A flash-flood watch was in effect for parts of the Bay Area earlier Thursday, as well as a high-wind advisory for local bridges. Both have expired.

"The wind has kind of calmed down, but we do expect to see some gusts picking up again this afternoon and this evening," Cross said.

—Also reported by Bay City News Service