The first significant storm of winter will drop heavy rain across much of San Diego County from roughly 9 p.m. to midnight Thursday and produce showers Friday, temporarily easing the threat of wildfires but doing comparatively little to lift precipitation to seasonal levels, the National Weather Service said.

Wednesday's rain will be gentle and relatively light, but on Thursday and Thursday night, heavier precipitation will spread southeastward across the area, according to the National Weather Service.

A flood watch is in effect until Thursday along the San Diego County coast, including San Diego, Carlsbad, Poway and Chula Vista.