Big Storm closing in

The first round of a powerful double-punch storm has arrived in the North Bay, with wind and rain gaining momentum.

The rain came in spurts for most of the afternoon and Sonoma County emergency dispatchers reported sporadic calls of downed trees. There was a power outage near Timeber Cover when a fallen wire cut off power to 222 residents at 2:27 pm. The outage affected residents of Fort Ross, Timber Cove, Stump Beach and Fish Mill Cove. PG&E estimated that power would be restored by 10 p.m.

Heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 55 mph are expected through the evening and a second wave will hit the area around 5 or 6 a.m. Sunday, said Brian Tentinger, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Monterey.

The entire storm system, which is expected to bring 1 to 2 inches of rain in lower areas and 2 to 4 inches of rain at higher elevations, will begin "calming down"� late Sunday, he said.

Wind gusts at the Sonoma County Airport at 4:53 p.m. were clocked at 24 mph, with sustained winds at 15 mph. As of 3:50 p.m. Saturday, winds of 33 knots, about 38 mph, were reported at the measuring buoy off Bodega Bay. Wind gusts were up to 50 mph.

The National Weather Service's hazardous weather advisory this morning warned of sustained wind speeds of 24 to 40 mph, with gusts of up to 60 mph, along the coast and in the hills. The wind warning is in effect for the entire Bay Area and Monterey Bay.

The advisory warns that if rain persists throughout the weekend there could be flooding along small streams and creeks, as well as urban areas that are prone to flooding.

Also, the storm will produce large strong ocean waves that will break along the northern and central California coast, with breakers as high as 25 feet along the San Francisco and Monterey coasts.

In the Sierras, heavy snow and strong winds will cause hazardous driving conditions over mountain passes. The National Weather Service said that conditions will quickly worsen this afternoon and motorists should slow down and allow extra time for travel.

Motorists are advised to carry chains, food, water, blankets and a flashlight in their cars in case of an emergency.

A winter storm warning in the Sierras will be in effect between 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday. Snow levels are expected to reach 6,500 feet this afternoon and early evening.

Sustained heavy rain at lake level may be followed by snow tonight, after snow levels drop significantly with cooler evening temperatures. A total of 10 to 18 inches of snow is expected below 7,000 feet, and 2 to 3 feet of snow could accumulate at higher elevations.