By Reginald Stanley. Posted December 24, 2018, 4:31 PM.

A cold, wind-driven storm will descend upon the region late Christmas Eve into Christmas Day, bringing up to 1/4 of an inch of rain to the valleys, with locally higher amounts possible in the mountains.

Snow levels are projected to fall to around 5,500 feet above sea level overnight, with between 1 and 3 inches of snow accumulating at higher elevations. Rain amounts may be slightly higher in San Diego County than areas north of it, with up to 1/2 an inch predicted there. A slight chance of thunderstorms is possible inland overnight tonight. Gusty winds, with peak gusts of up to 60 mph, will result in the mountain passes and deserts. Peak gusts could reach up to between 25 and 35 mph in the coasts and valleys.

As the cold front passes on Tuesday, it will leave a northerly flow of cold, dry air in its wake. Freezing temperatures are possible overnight later in the week, though conditions will remain dry. The potential storm previously predicted to affect the region later this week, has since been dismissed.