California officials and weather forecasters urged holiday travelers to avoid the roads and reconsider Christmas travel as a series of powerful winter storms brought relentless rains, heavy winds and mountain snow.

Forecasts have solidified as Southern California braces for a widespread storm that will bring heavy rain to the region during the Christmas holiday. The National Weather Service predicts between 3 to 6 inches of rain in the coastal and valley areas, and 5 to 11 inches in the foothills and mountains.

Residents in some of Southern California’s recent burn scar areas will be under flood watches and evacuation warnings and orders Tuesday morning as they prepare for the arrival of a powerful