California braces for flooding as another storm hits state

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The latest in a series of wet winter storms gained strength in California early yesterday, with forecasters warning of possible flooding, hail, strong winds and even brief tornadoes as the system moves south over the next few days.

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Gusts topped 48 kilometers per hour in Oakland and San Jose as a mild cold front late Saturday gave way to a more powerful storm on Sunday, said meteorologist Brayden Murdock with the National Weather Service office in San Francisco.

"The winds are here and getting stronger, and the rains will follow quickly," he said Sunday afternoon.

California's central coast is at risk of "significant flooding," with up to five inches of rain predicted for many areas, according to the weather service.