A potential atmospheric river is expected to flood the bay area once later this week

Another strong storm will hit the Bay Area and the central coast later this week, bringing strong winds, heavy rains and new flood risk to the region, weather experts say.

While showers are likely Thursday, according to the National Weather Service’s San Francisco Bay Area office, a potential atmospheric river could enter the area late Thursday night.

Meteorologists have described the coming storm as a “conveyor belt of moisture” entering the region from the tropics of the Pacific, with an increasing chance of several inches of rain.

“Given mostly saturated soils, flooding fears seem reasonable,” NWS Bay Area forecasters said Monday. “At the end of the week, a hydrological forecast may be needed to address flooding issues.”

As of Monday afternoon, areas with the highest risk of more than 2 inches of precipitation include the North Bay, the elevated parts of the peninsula in San Mateo County, southern Monterey County, and the Central Valley.

The region could also experience potentially record low mid-week temperatures, while the Bay Area will generally remain below normal throughout the week.

Weather forecast information from the NWS Bay Area office can be found at