The latest atmospheric river arrived on Wednesday in the Bay Area with damaging winds bringing down trees, the threat of thunderstorms, and possible snow in the highest peaks.The storm which began sweeping over the North Bay in the morning was sliding south throughout the afternoon and evening.

A fast-moving storm system is sweeping into the Bay Area and Central Coast, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and the possibility of thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service. A wind advisory is in effect from 8 a.

The forecast comes days after an expansive storm similarly trekked across the U.S. last week, unloading snow in the northern Plains and bringing tornadoes and wildfires to the South. At least five storm-related deaths in Nebraska and Mississippi were tied to that storm.

This storm will enter California and the West Coast on Wednesday with rain and mountain snow. It will then head into the central and eastern states late this week into the weekend with severe weather,

"This system is expected to be quite cold aloft which increases the chances of thunderstorms across the area, leading to an increased threat of flooding."