High winds and rain forecast for tonight

The National Weather service forecasts high winds and rain for tonight after midnight and Friday morning:

A powerful pacific storm is forecast to move into the San Francisco and Monterey Bay areas thursday night. Strong and potentially damaging southeast winds will develop late Thursday night and continue into friday morning before diminishing friday afternoon. Strongest winds are expected from san francisco southward…Mainly along the coast…Near the bays…And over higher terrain.

San Francisco-Alameda And Contra Costa Counties-Santa Clara County- Coastal Monterey County- Salinas Valley/Interior Monterey County/San Benito County- Santa Cruz County-San Mateo County-

High wind warning from midnight tonight through noon pst friday…

Strong and potentially damaging winds are forecast to develop late tonight. Southeast winds will increase to 20 to 40 mph late tonight with gusts to 60 mph expected by sunrise friday. The strongest winds are expected along the coast…Near San Francisco Bay…Down the Salinas Valley…And over higher terrain late Thursday night and Friday morning. Winds will shift to southwest and diminish friday afternoon…But blustery conditions with will continue through the coming weekend.

Persons in the warning area from San Francisco and Contra Costa Counties south through Monterey County should be prepared for strong gusty winds. Tie down any loose objects or bring them inside. Due to the wet…Saturated ground…Trees will be more susceptible than usual to being felled by the strong winds. Power outages may occur. Drivers of high profile vehicles should use extra caution thursday night and friday morning. The winds will be accompanied by periods of rain…Possibly heavy at times.