Heavy snow and freezing rain caused hundreds of traffic crashes in Virginia and left tens of thousands of residents in the dark as the central Appalachians and parts of the mid-Atlantic states braced for heavy rains on Wednesday.

Heavy rain from an atmospheric river is hitting California, causing flooding risks in wildfire-ravaged areas. Portland and other cities are preparing for snow and ice, with emergency shelters open. The eastern U.

A winter storm advisory has been issued for this afternoon and overnight due to the potential for ice accumulation in Virginia.