Bay Area to get respite from storm-fueled surf

A fierce and persistent storm 800 miles off the California coast is continuing to churn water to dangerous levels across the Pacific Ocean — generating surf that will ease on Christmas Day but return to dangerous heights on Thursday through the weekend.

Dry skies are predicted for most of Wednesday following a turbulent storm that pounded the coast with massive waves on Monday and Tuesday. But some rain will return on Wednesday night, especially along the coast and North Bay, according to the National Weather Service.