Rain, Wind Sweeping Into Region

A storm system expected to bring rain, strong winds and possibly lightning will move into the region early Tuesday, officials with the National Weather Service said Monday.

 The storm system is expected to bring rain mainly after 4 a.m. Tuesday with a three- to eight-hour drenching period that should produce a quarter-inch to one-inch of rain in the coastal area, forecasters said. Wind gusts as high as 20 mph are expected and the National Weather Service warned mariners of gale force winds Tuesday across the outer waters.

Snow levels are expected to start above 8,000-feet early Tuesday and drop to about 6,000-feet through the day with isolated snow levels as low as the 5,000-feet level. Snow levels between three and seven inches are likely about 6,000 feet.

The weather pattern's unstable air and its risk of thunderstorms should primarily stay off te coast, but forecasters said stray lightning strikes are possible with the heaviest rain.

The storm is expected to depart the region by Tuesday night and mostly sunny skies with high temperatures in the low 70s are expected Wednesday through Sunday.