Intense downpours that could trigger dangerous flood threats in California are putting a damper on Christmas Eve travel plans, while the New England area braces for heavy snow later in the week.

This year is expected to be the busiest on record for holiday travel, but rough weather in the West and the East may make getting to and from your Christmas destination even harder. As a life-threatening storm begins in California,

California officials and weather forecasters urged holiday travelers to avoid the roads on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ahead of a series of powerful winter storms that threatened to slam the state with relentless rains, heavy winds and mountain snow through Friday.

An atmospheric river, low pressure system, and wildfire burn scars are a volatile mix for southern Califonia this Christmas. Here's what we know.

Yes, IHOP locations will be open on Christmas. Hours vary by location, so check with your local store regarding their specific hours before visiting. Yes, Waffle House restaurants will be open on Christmas. No, all Krispy Kreme shops will be closed on Christmas Day, a company spokesperson told USA TODAY.

Historically, the NFL does not play on Christmas Eve unless it falls on a day of the week when games are normally scheduled. The NFL had a full slate of 10 games on Sunday, December 24 in 2023 and 11 games on Saturday, December 24, 2022 to largely avoid Christmas Day. Prior to that, the NFL hosted just one Christmas Eve game since 2018.

Heavy rain dropped visibility for drivers early Wednesday in Orange County, California, as a powerful storm with the potential for life-threatening flash flooding moved onshore.