A tropical storm named Hilary is currently developing off the coast of Mexico and is anticipated to progress toward Southern California in the upcoming days. This weather event brings with it the potential for excessive rainfall and storm activity. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation as the storm gathers strength and evolves.
Hilary, which is on track to potentially evolve into a hurricane by Thursday, is currently forming near the Mexican coastline. Its projected path suggests that it might impact both Baja California and Southern California over the upcoming weekend. The National Hurricane Center reports that although the storm could weaken as it nears the Baja California peninsula, there is still a likelihood of substantial rainfall and the potential for flooding in affected regions.
Subsequently, Hilary is expected to traverse into Southern California. The National Weather Service (NWS) highlights that the most intense rainfall is likely to target areas of the Southwest U.S. and Southern California, yet the exact extent of impact remains uncertain and contingent on the precise trajectory of the storm.
The NWS’s forecast indicates a notable risk of excessive rainfall in parts of southeast California, southern Nevada, and western Arizona throughout the weekend. This anticipated rainfall pattern might persist into the early days of the following week as it spreads across south-central California. While official warnings regarding the potential effects of the storm and its progression into a hurricane have not been issued, concerns arise, drawing parallels with past events like the Maui Wildfires.
Tropical storms and hurricanes are relatively infrequent occurrences in this region, yet last year’s impact by Tropical Storm Kay demonstrated that such events are not unheard of. Tropical Storm Kay, which escalated to a Category 2 hurricane, incurred approximately $10.62 million in damages and tragically resulted in five fatalities.
The situation continues to be monitored, and it’s advisable to stay informed about updates from relevant authorities and experts in meteorology.