A large scale disturbance moving from the Midwest to the East Coast and another Pacific storm slamming into the West Coast on Christmas Eve day will create coast to coast travel problems on one of the busiest travel days of the year.

The disturbance headed to the East Coast is composed of two low pressure areas. Through Wednesday, the twin troublemakers will spread heavy snow from the central Plains through the Great Lakes into northern New England, while a nasty mix of ice and rain develops to the south.

The Midwest Regional News story reports the systems will feed on a surge of warm air flowing out of the Gulf of Mexico that will produce mostly rain along the Eastern Seaboard.

Heavy snow this afternoon is blasting into Chicago, with near-zero visibility reported in the Chicagoland area. Any flight delays or cancellations at O'Hare International, one of the world's busiest airports, as well as at Midway Airport will have a domino effect at other airports around the country. Many airports in the West are still recovering from widespread cancellations over the past several days.

The AccuWeather.com 5-day forecast for the Windy City calls for a wintry mix on Wednesday morning, with 1 to 2 inches of wet snow accumulating in the afternoon.

A nasty mix of snow, rain, gusty winds and fog in southern Michigan could create major delays at Detroit Metro Airport.

Air travelers on the East and West coasts will face similar conditions on Wednesday. According to the East Regional News story, rain in the major cities along the Interstate 95 corridor could lead to travel problems, along with an increased potential of flooding.

Expert Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno believes major delays are possible at the three New York City-area airports, while minor weather-related delays can be expected in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and Pittsburgh.

The misery continues Wednesday for travelers in the West. The West Regional News story reports a two-pronged storm system moving into the West Coast today will bring rain and snow to central and Southern California and more heavy snow in the Cascades and the Sierra.

Anyone planning a holiday ski vacation in the West will enjoy ideal conditions -- if they can get to the resorts. Some areas in the Northwest have received as much as 3 feet of snow since Saturday

More than 10 days of icy weather in the Northwest culminated in a massive weekend snow that dumped more than 10 inches in downtown Portland, rivaling a storm in 1980 that left 16 inches in the city.

The storm could be among the top 10 since record-keeping began in 1880; however, it pales in comparison to the 32 inches recorded in 1893, a 28-inch storm in 1916 and the 22 inches reported in 1884.

The airports in the West are struggling to get back to normal.

Travelers stand in line to re-book cancelled flights at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Monday, Dec. 22, 2008. Many passengers are being told they will not be able to fly until after Christmas. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Lines on Monday snaked through virtually every airport in the West as travelers tried to get to their destinations. Dozens of cancellations were reported Monday at Spokane, Seattle-Tacoma and Portland airports.

Conditions on the ground are just as bad. Associated Press reports the bus terminals in Seattle and Portland were closed again on Monday, while Oregon DOT spokeswoman Christine Miles told The Oregonian newspaper, "Nobody's coming into Portland and nobody's leaving Portland on I-84."

Traffic along Interstate 5, the main north-south highway along the Northwest coast, moved at a snail's pace, while state highways along the northern edge of the Coast Range were closed.

Amtrak planned to resume its Cascades passenger train service today after heavy snow forced the cancellation of the service between Eugene, Ore., and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Mountain travel west of the Front Range of the Rockies will be hazardous through Christmas, while many major and minor highways across the Plains to the East Coast will be coated with a nasty mix of snow, ice and rain.

Motorists should be prepared for black ice, localized flooding, blowing and drifting snow and fog that will reduce visibility. Anyone planning travel through rural areas, especially across the northern and central Plains and the Upper Midwest, should have an emergency kit in the vehicle that could be a lifesaver for anyone stranded by the weather.

Travel problems are just as bad in Canada. The Canadian Press reports the snowstorm that blasted into the Maritimes on Monday will mean a white Christmas for the entire country for the first time since 1971.

Hurricane-force winds, heavy snow and freezing rain caused widespread power outages across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, while as much as 60 cm (24 inches) of snow fell on Vancouver Island.