Looking at some showers developing across the region ahead of a major winter storm on tap to arrive on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The forecast remains unchanged as a powerful low-pressure system sitting off the California coast pushes a cold front south through the state on Wednesday, tapping into a strong atmospheric river. The result will be locally heavy rain, gusty winds, thunderstorms, and higher elevation snowfall, at least initially. Behind the front on Christmas Day, we will start to see some cooler air filter into the region, gradually bringing the snow level down, with some snowfall expected by Friday before the storm exits the region on Saturday. Rain will increase through Wednesday morning, becoming heavy at times during the afternoon, a few thunderstorms are also possible. Continued cold and very windy with highs in the 40s, south to southwest winds 30-40 mph with gusts around 50 mph possible. The snow level will remain around 9,000 feet, lowering to near 8,000 feet on Wednesday night. As the cold front and AR drops south of the area, steadier, heavy rainfall will turn to scattered showers on Christmas Day, occasionally heavy. As the cooler air arrives, the snow level should also fall to around 7,000 feet. A second storm will arrive later Christmas into Friday, bringing another round of locally heavy rain, and this time snow! The snow level should drop to around 5,000 feet sometime on Friday with several inches or more of snow possible. Exactly how much depends on when the snow level falls, but there is the potential to pick up around a foot of snow at resort level. Snow showers should wind down Friday night with clearing skies into the weekend. Conditions will remain cold and breezy over the weekend with highs in the 30s as lows drop into the 20s, which should provide better snowmaking weather for local resorts. Another, colder storm is forecast to arrive on Monday, but we're still working out the details. I expect the snow level to remain around 5,000 feet with at least a few inches of snow possible. Then another, potentially strong storm could arrive late next week, right around New Year's. Rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches are still expected over all areas through Friday, with locally higher totals on the lower coastal slopes, where around a half foot of rain could fall. Residents should be prepared for potential flooding with possible rock, debris, and mud slides below recently burned areas, especially along Hwy 38 & 330. Heed all evacuation warnings or orders and stay tuned to local media/emergency services. If traveling into the mountains throughout the holidays, be prepared for winter weather driving, as conditions will change rapidly. Pack extra food, water, warm clothing, and always carry chains! Details on local evacuation warnings & orders will also be posted on Socalmountains.com