COLD AFFRONT

The winter rain storm expected to last through Wednesday night will likely bring some much-needed moisture to the Newport Beach and Costa Mesa areas.

The storm is predicted to add 1 to 2 inches of rain, said Mark Moede, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego. The average rainfall for the season, which spans from July 2005 to July 2006, is 11.76 inches. So far this season, 5.39 inches has fallen. The rain is expected to subside after the morning rush hour today.

The winds are expected to increase slightly today to 20 to 30 mph, possibly gusting to 40 mph, Moede said.

A cold front is forecast to move in tonight and remain through Wednesday morning, he said. Today’s highs are expected to drop to 62 to 65 degrees, and to 58 to 63 degrees on Wednesday.

There is a possibility that funnel clouds or water spouts will develop on the coastal waters on Wednesday, Moede said.

dpt.04-wildart-dz-CPhotoInfo6H1PJPLJ20060404ix6an7knDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Fernando Morales, 3, and Edgar Martinez, 9, walk across the pedestrian bridge in Fairview Park with Fernando’s father, Jose, as gray skies loom in the background.