LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Forecasters are calling for heavy storms this weekend and into next week, and have issued a flash flood watch for Lake County and other parts of the North Coast as a result.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement and a flash flood watch for areas including Lake County on Thursday.

The agency said a major pattern change – toward much wetter weather – is about to arrive.

The forecast predicts a “parade of storms” for the next week and beyond that could lead to rock slides, small stream flooding, downed trees and power outages, as well as chances of hail and thunderstorms in some areas.

A weaker storm system is anticipated to pass over the region on Friday, bringing with it as much as three-quarters of an inch of rain, according to the Lake County specific forecast.

A much stronger system is expected on Saturday, when between 1 and 2 inches of rain may fall in Lake County, the forecast said.

That prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch that will be in effect from 4 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday for the Valley, Rocky and Jerusalem fire areas.

Gusty winds also are forecast on Saturday, ranging into the high 20s, with gusts into the high 30s.

Forecasters predict light to moderate precipitation continuing Sunday, Monday and through next week.

Temperatures in Lake County over the coming week are expected to range into the low 40s at night and into the low 60s during the day, according to the forecast.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.