Today is a First Alert Weather Day as heavy rain and 50-60 mph wind gusts could cause coastal flooding, downed trees and power outages.

SAN DIEGO — A powerful atmospheric river is barreling toward San Diego County. It could bring heavy rain on Christmas Eve, threatening millions of holiday travelers and raising flood concerns in low-lying areas.

The National Weather Service has issued wind advisories for all 21 counties for Friday with gusts up to 50 mph expected to arrive in 2 waves through the day.

Meteorologist Melinda Singh tracks a major cross-country low-pressure system bringing widespread impacts. Get the latest on heavy snow and blizzard conditions in the Prairies, heavy rain for Ontario and Quebec,

State Area's updated Friday afternoon First Alert Forecast on CBS News New York.

A potent storm system packing up to 60-mph gusty winds and soaking rain showers is set to push through New England beginning overnight Thursday and ramp up Friday morning just in time for the early commute.

Freezing cold is expected to sweep through a number of NFL games in Week 15. Periodic snowfall rates of more than an inch per hour are likely, resulting in totals of 5 to 10 inches with locally higher amounts possible.

The morning commute will start out mostly dry, but showers will begin to increase late Friday morning as a wet and wintry pattern settles in across Northern California.