A powerful Pineapple Express storm could end up delivering a wet, white and potentially wild Christmas to California, with the possibility of snow in the Sierra and plenty of rainfall across the Southland.

Southern California will enjoy mostly clear skies through Saturday before a strong storm system sweeps across the region during the Christmas holiday, bringing heavy rain and cooler temperatures.

As holiday shoppers gather last-minute gifts and families finalize plans with their loved ones next week, a system is quietly forming at the moment and may deliver wet weather to Southern California during the festivities.

The atmospheric river is expected to peak around Christmas Eve, with wet weather potentially continuing into the weekend.

A white Christmas is defined as having at least one inch of snow on the ground on Dec. 25. The last white Christmas occurred in 2020 but more widespread events occurred in 2010 and 1989.

Southern California braces for a major storm during Christmas, bringing 2-4 inches of rain to coastal areas and higher amounts in mountains. The storm, fueled by an atmospheric river, may cause travel disruptions and power outages.