California, western U.S. in path of new storm bringing rain, snow

Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Northern and central California is expected to face a powerful storm Tuesday that has prompted advanced alerts for flooding, high winds and winter storm warnings in that state and eight others.

California experienced dangerously high waves Sunday night into Monday from an earlier storm. Those waves were as high as 30 feet with 40- to 50-foot breaks, leading to some coastal flooding and erosion.

Heavy rain could cause flooding in Washington state, Oregon and northern California and heavy snow is expected in the mountain passes between Seattle and Portland, Ore., along Interstates 90 and 84.

Forecasters say the storm will pass through the Rocky Mountain region Wednesday and redevelop in the Plains before creating more weather in the Southeast and on the East Coast by Friday that could lead to more flooding in those areas.

Wind chill warnings have been issued for portions of Oregon, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota, while a winter weather warning was listed in portions of Washington state and Idaho, The Weather Channel reported.

Severe weather hampered both coasts last weekend. While high waves caused the National Weather Service to issue a dire warning for surfers and beach waters in northern California, the Washington, D.C., area was hit with record rain totals.

A major storm was forecast to bring rain and thunderstorms near the upper coast of the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, AccuWeather reported.

The weather comes during the busy holiday travel season. The American Automobile Association said drivers in Atlanta, New York City, Boston and Houston should expect to see travel times triple on Wednesday -- independent of any weather hazards -- and Thursday could be the nation's worst day for travel of any kind.