The latest spate of harsh wintry weather churning from the pacific bore down on storm-weary California on Tuesday.

With a forecasters warning of wind gusts reaching hurricane force, accompanied by torrential rain and heavy mountain snow.

Southern and central California, still sodden from storms that have swept ashore one after another since late December.

One just days ago were expected to be hardest hit by the newest onslaught, arriving early on the second official day of spring.

High-wind warnings and advisories were posted for a vast stretch of California from the Mexico border through Los Angeles to San Francisco Bay area.

Winter storm warnings were in effect for high mountains, where several feet snowfall was possible.

The National Weather service (NWS) also issued an excessive-rainfall notice for much of the southern California Coast.