The fall and early winter have been active with multiple rounds of rain and mountain snow in the West. While this has helped to alleviate any drought conditions and boosted the snowpack, the ground is becoming saturated. AccuWeather meteorologists warn that the continued precipitation will increase the risk of flooding and mudslides.
With Christmas this week, more people will be traveling by plane, train and automobile. The repeated rounds of rain and snow are likely to cause people to drive more slowly and also delay airport travel. Travel conditions could begin to deteriorate as early as Monday in cities such as Seattle and Portland.
“Travelers immediately ahead of the Christmas holiday will have to contend with wet roads along much of the West coast, from the Canadian border to California,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr.
By Monday night and through Tuesday and Tuesday night, a new storm will come ashore and precipitation will fall could eventually fall as far south as Los Angeles.