Winds will pick up Tuesday, followed by widespread rain Tuesday night into Wednesday. Another wave of rain is expected on Christmas Day.

A series of powerful Pacific storms will pound the Bay Area and Central Coast through Christmas week, bringing periods of heavy rain, damaging winds, flooding and dangerous surf, forecasters said Monday.

The strongest wind gusts are expected later Friday morning as a cold front sweeps across the state. Strong winds will continue through Friday evening.

A few light showers on Monday morning will lead to more widespread rain on Monday afternoon and evening. The winds also pick up later today as a low pressure system works its way through the Northern Rockies. There are several watches and warnings in place today. Below is a look at the details:

Temperatures are expected to be in the 40s during the week of Christmas, with a chance of rain expected on most days.

The strong wind gusts will continue through Friday afternoon and evening after the rain ends in New Jersey, forecasters say.