Hurricane Hilary will bring “once-in-a-century” four inches of rain to Southern California on Sunday, warning locals to prepare for high winds and storm surges of up to ten feet high
- Category 4 Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring ‘life-changing’ rain levels to regions of California by weather
- An expert has said the region could experience rain once a century and Nevada would likely break its all-time rainfall record
- The storm is currently moving west to northwest at nearly 10 miles per hour and is bringing maximum sustained winds of nearly 140 mph
Hurricane Hilary will bring “once-in-a-century” rain to Southern California this weekend, warning locals to prepare for high winds and storm surges.
The major tropical storm is currently a Category 4 hurricane and is expected to bring “rare” and “life-threatening” flash flooding from the Baja California Peninsula to Nevada.
A high-risk warning has been issued for excessive rainfall for much of Southern California for Sunday, which is expected to last through Monday.
National Hurricane Center (NHC) officials also issued a first-ever tropical storm watch for southwestern California.
Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections and a former in-flight meteorologist for the government said the region could experience once-in-a-century rain and there’s a good chance Nevada will break its rainfall record someday, adding that Hilary’s strength and width are impressive.
Excessive rainfall is expected to hit the west coast of North America
The storm is expected to endanger lives and property
This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite image shows Hurricane Hilary, right, off the Pacific coast of Mexico
Rainfall on Sunday could break Nevada records as flash floods and storm surges are also expected
A tropical storm watch indicates tropical storm conditions are possible, meaning sustained winds greater than 39 mph within 48 hours, the NHC said.
As of Friday, Hilary was about 360 miles (575 kilometers) southwest of Los Cabos on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.
It was moving to the northwest at 10 mph (17 km/h) and was expected to turn further north.
It will still be a hurricane as it approaches Baja California’s west coast over the weekend, but is expected to weaken to a tropical storm before reaching southern California on Sunday afternoon.
Hurricane Hilary is expected to drop four inches of rain in Southern California
The storm reached wind speeds of 75 miles per hour in just 24 hours, which is twice the official threshold for rapid intensification.
The speed increase came about after the storm passed over 86-degree warm water that acts as fuel for the heat engine.
The NHC added that storm surges can cause coastal flooding and destructive waves.
Forecasts show Hilary moving north along the coast of Baja California, reaching southern California by late Sunday.
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Rainfall Outlook for the low deserts of Southern California
A notice issued by the NHC said: ‘Heavy rains associated with Hilary could trigger areas of flash flooding and result in landslides across parts of the Baja California Peninsula late tonight into late Sunday.
The precipitation effects from Hilary in the southwestern United States are expected to peak this weekend through Monday.
“Flash, urban, and arroyo floods are expected, with the possibility of rare and dangerous impacts.”
The storm is currently moving west to northwest at nearly 10 miles per hour and is bringing maximum sustained winds of nearly 140 mph
Storm surge can reach up to 6ft
According to the National Weather Service, Big Bear Lake, Julian, Idyllwild and Mt. Laguna between Saturday and Monday to receive up to 7 inches of rain.
The Coachella Valley, including Palm Springs, could see up to 5 inches. Hemet, San Bernardino, Hesperia and Victorville could see up to 10 cm.
Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University, said, “The rain is the biggest potential threat.”
SpaceX has delayed the launch of a satellite-carrying rocket from a base on California’s central coast until at least Monday.
The company said conditions in the Pacific could make it difficult for a ship to recover the rocket booster.