A strong early-season storm is expected to hit the Bay Area and Central Coast on Tuesday night into Wednesday, bringing gusty winds, rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters said a wind advisory will be in effect from 10 p.m. Tuesday to 4 p.m. Wednesday, with gusts of 35 to 45 mph expected across much of the Bay Area and up to 55 mph along the coast and in higher elevations.

The storm could drop 1 to 2 inches of rain in North Bay valleys and up to 2.5 inches in coastal ranges, raising the risk of urban and nuisance flooding in low-lying areas. Other regions, including the East Bay and South Bay, are expected to see less than an inch of rain.

While most of the rainfall will be beneficial, the weather service warned that thunderstor

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