Tornadoes expected across South

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Parts of the South braced for a severe thunderstorm with the possibility of tornadoes and forecasters said some Southerners could see a rare white Christmas.

The thunderstorm will affect a region stretching from southeast Texas to northern Florida and southwestern Georgia, Accuweather reported Monday.

The potential tornado outbreak should begin just about when Santa is wrapping up his rounds in Texas, the report said.

Meanwhile, other parts of the south could see a rare white Christmas, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A storm forming in the lower Plains could drop small amounts snow on Little Rock, Ark.; Oklahoma City; Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, the report said.

As much as 6 inches of the white stuff could fall Christmas Eve and Day in some parts of Oklahoma, northern Arkansas and southern Missouri.

Areas more accustomed to larger and more frequent snowfalls could receive even more.

"Totals may even top a foot, especially farther north across the eastern Great Lakes and interior Northeast," AccuWeather said Sunday. "While great news for children and those wishing their communities to turn into a winter wonderland around Christmas, the snowstorm is sure to create a nightmare for travelers."

Meanwhile, strong winds in the Northeast could delay flights, and freezing rain could fall across Arkansas, Virginia and West Virginia, the Times reported. Heavy snow is expected in Oregon and eastern Washington.