It looks like it will be a white Christmas in Southern California mountains with a cold winter storm system remaining in the region today, which could lead to some treacherous holiday driving conditions.

Forecasters predict snow-covered mountains and soggy valleys from the week’s second storm system. Alerts on flash flooding, winter storms and high winds have been issued during prime travel time ahead of Christmas Eve.

Communities in the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountain areas above 6,000 feet can expect 1 foot or more of snow accumulating over the holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs is looking at up to 22 inches of natural snow through tonight. The San Gabriel Mountains could see between 11 and 17 inches of snow, according to the weather service.

Lower levels — as low as 3,000 to 3,500 feet — could see about 1 to 3 inches of snow by this morning, which could cause a traffic nightmare for those traveling on the 15 Freeway through Cajon Pass and up to local peaks.

Such low snowfall levels mean authorities will be monitoring the roadways throughout the entire storm. Caltrans District 8 spokeswoman Terri Kasinga said snow plows and California Highway Patrol officers are ready and waiting for the potential for crashes and slow moving traffic in the Inland area that typically comes with such a storm.

Caltrans District 7 spokesman Michael Comeaux said snow removal crews are ready to tend to the Grapevine — a portion of the 5 Freeway in a mountain area between Los Angeles and Kern counties — if needed.

“At this point, we’re just waiting and watching,” Comeaux said.

Travel woes won’t be limited to those with plans to drive the 5 or 15, though. Kasinga said rainfall is anticipated and flooding is possible on Inland valley roadways. The main suggestion she has for overcoming the rainfall: slow down.

“We just ask that everybody be safe, enjoy the holiday and use your head,” she said. That means packing extra socks, warm clothes and water in case motorists end up in heavy traffic or vehicles fail.

Most importantly, folks traveling up in the mountains will need chains. Even if it isn’t snowing when you plan to drive up to a resort or mountain area, Kasinga said, be sure to bring chains in case you need them going down.

Authorities advise postponing travel until after the storm passes, if possible.

For the Inland Empire, the storm will bring much-needed rain to the drought-stricken region.

The precipitation brings with it the potential for flooding in the scars of this year’s wildfires, including the Pilot, Blue Cut and Complex fires.

The NWS says flash flooding is very likely with new storm.

“It’s not the amount of total rainfall that causes flash flooding and debris flows but how quickly the rain falls,” NWS meteorologist Brandt Maxwell explained. “In the burn scar areas, we’re expecting 1 to 2 inches of rain and at the heaviest time we could potentially see debris flows.”

Sandbags can be used in order to protect property from flooding and debris flows by diverting those flows elsewhere.

WEATHER FORECASTS

Los Angeles area forecast

• Today: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59 and low around 40. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

• Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60 and a low around 45.

• Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 63 and a low around 43.

• Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 64 and a low around 45.

• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69 and low around 46.

• Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Inland forecast

• Today: Mostly cloudy with showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then partly cloudy with a chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Patchy dense fog is expected. Highs 50 to 55 with lows 32 to 39. Areas of winds west 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 35 mph.

• Christmas Day: Partly cloudy. Patchy frost in wind sheltered locations in the morning. Highs 51 to 56 with lows 34 to 41.

• Monday: Partly cloudy with highs 56 to 61 and lows 38 to 45.

• Tuesday: Partly cloudy in the morning, becoming mostly sunny. Highs 64 to 69 and lows 41 to 48.

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Highs 65 to 70 and lows 43 to 49.

• Thursday: Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming partly cloudy. Highs 64 to 69 and lows 43 to 48.

WEATHER WARNINGS

Warnings for San Bernardino Mountains

• Flash flood watch in effect until 6 a.m. today

• Wind advisory in effect until 10 p.m. today

• Winter storm warning in effect until noon today

Warnings for San Gabriel Mountains

• Flash flood watch in effect until today at 6 a.m.

• Winter storm warning in effect until Sunday at 4 a.m.