Light rain expected late Monday, more expected later this week

Light rain is expected this evening in the Bay Area and will continue through Tuesday morning, with the most rain falling in the North Bay, National Weather Service officials said.

The rain will take a break late Tuesday into Wednesday but will resume late Wednesday night, continuing into Thursday and lingering into Friday, according to weather service officials.

Rain is expected to be light for most places, but could be moderate for brief periods of time in the North Bay late tonight and early Thursday morning.

Weather service officials said through Tuesday morning most urban locations will receive less than a tenth of an inch, with isolated locations receiving up to a quarter-inch, especially in the North Bay.

From late Wednesday night into Friday, rain amounts will only be slightly greater, according to the weather service.

Breezy and locally gusty winds will be possible as each system passes with gusts of up to 30 mph possible, mainly along the ridges and near the coast.

The most significant weather impact will be at area beaches where a large west/northwest swell, which has already started, is expected to last until Tuesday afternoon. The large swell prompted weather service officials to issue a high surf advisory through 4 p.m. Tuesday.

A larger, more energetic swell, possibly the largest of the season, may arrive Thursday, with waves of larger than 20 feet possible.

A potentially stronger rainstorm is forecast for the Bay Area starting Sunday and lasting into Monday, weather service officials said.