Daily briefing: Big Soaker hits California

A big Pacific storm system will bring heavy rain to much of the West Coast, with mountain snow and high winds also being a big trouble. This is included in today's Christmas Eve daily briefing, published every weekday at 5 a.m. ET.

One of the biggest and strongest winter storms of the season so far will whip across the West Coast on this Christmas Eve. The WeatherRadar shows heavy rain falling across all of California, with snow hitting the Sierra Nevada. Several inches of rain are likely, increasing the risk of flooding and mudslides in mountainous and desert locations.

The rain and mountain snow will make its way into the Southwest and Great Basin later today and tonight, with Las Vegas and Phoenix dealing with its own soggy mess.

The WindRadar shows high winds accompanying the system with gusts in excess of 35 mph whipping through southern and central California.

The only other problem today will be across the Mississippi Valley. A few showers will be possible, interrupting a few pre-holiday travel plans.

As winter break for many fast approaches, it won't feel like winter for many. The TemperatureRadar shows afternoon highs will be in the 70s throughout the south-central and southern Plains, South and Southeast.

Even Kansas City, the central Mississippi and the Ohio valleys into the southern Mid-Atlantic will be in the upper 50s and low 60s. Only the Northeast and the northern Plains will feel like winter, where sub-freezing highs will be common.

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