BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Travelers along the Grapevine are being warned to brace for wet roads and traffic delays as rain continues to affect the area on Christmas Eve. California Highway Patrol Officer D.C. Williams from the Fort Tejon office said, "It is going to be traffic. It is going to be wet roads."

The CHP is increasing its presence on the roadways during the holiday season with a maximum enforcement period, which means more officers will be out to ensure safety. Williams advised drivers to "prepare for the unexpected" and to anticipate extended travel times.

A woman who drove from Los Angeles described the conditions as "wet and scary," noting that visibility was limited to about 100 feet. Her advice to fellow drivers was to "give it some distance and some space," as many were driving too fast, especially downhill.

Another traveler, planning to head to Hanford for Christmas, reported seeing "slippery roads" and occasional floods on the roadside. He urged caution, saying, "I would just suggest, be careful guys driving around."

Residents in the mountain communities along the Grapevine and Kern River Valley are also concerned about potential mudslides from burn scars left by summer fires. Chief Meteorologist Ilya Neyman explained that while recent rain wasn't heavy enough to cause significant slides, shorter and more intense downpours could be dangerous. "Even though it lasted only a fraction of the time, it can be more dangerous because water hits the ground so quickly that it has not been given the time to be absorbed," Neyman said.

As a reminder for holiday travelers, one driver advised, "You just got to go slow. There is no rush. It is wet, be careful. Be nice to everybody. We are all having a hard time."