National Weather Service meteorologists earlier this week predicted that much-needed rain would finally fall upon the Bay Area — but now, it appears that the promised wet weather is changing course and heading toward the Central Coast instead. It’s part of a dry trend that could continue as a La Niña weather pattern affects California.

After weeks of on and off Santa Ana winds and critical wildfire conditions, the forecast calls for rain to douse tinder-dry Southern California over the weekend. The latest forecast calls for around a half-inch or so of rain in much of Ventura County.

Exhausted firefighters battling deadly infernos for weeks are now grappling with more wildfires torching Southern California – including one that’s threatening 14,000 structures.