Rain is returning this week to the Bay Area – and forecasters are expecting a “potentially major storm system."

Following a mostly dry January in the Bay Area, a wet weather pattern returns to the region beginning on the final day of the month.

The Bay Area is bracing for what could be several days of rain with an atmospheric river storm poised to move in Friday. Rainfall in the North Bay could begin Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service.

After a long dry spell accompanied by freezing temperatures in the Bay Area, rain is finally reentering the forecast, with an atmospheric river poised to soak the region in the coming days. The precipitation comes after forecasters initially expected the final weeks of the month to be completely dry,