Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring ‘once in a century’ TEN INCHES of rain to Southern California on Sunday, with residents warned to prepare for high winds and storm surges of up to nine feet
- Category 4 Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring ‘life-altering’ levels of rain to parts of California as weather conditions change
- An expert said the region could see rainfall once a century and Nevada would likely break its all-time rainfall record.
- The storm is currently moving west-northwest at nearly 10 miles per hour, bringing maximum sustained winds of nearly 145 mph
Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring “once in a century” levels of rain to Southern California over the weekend, with residents warned to prepare for high winds and storm surges.
The large tropical storm is currently a Category 4 hurricane and is expected to bring “rare” and “deadly” flash flooding from the Baja California Peninsula to Nevada.
A high-risk warning was issued for excessive rainfall across much of Southern California on 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 government in-flight meteorologist said the region could face once-in-a-century rains and there’s a good chance Nevada will break its all-time rainfall record. , adding that Hilary’s strength and breadth are impressive.
This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Hilary, right, off the Pacific coast of Mexico
Sunday’s rainfall could break Nevada’s records as flash flooding and storm surge are also expected
A tropical storm watch indicates that tropical storm conditions are possible, which means sustained winds of more than 39 mph in 48 hours, according to the NHC.
Early Friday, Hilary was centered about 360 miles (575 kilometers) south-southwest of Los Cabos at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.
It was moving northwest at 10 mph (17 km/h) and was expected to turn further north.
It will still be a hurricane as it approaches the west coast of Baja California over the weekend, but is expected to weaken to a tropical storm before reaching southern California on Sunday afternoon.
The storm gained 75 miles per hour in wind speed in just 24 hours, double the official threshold for rapid intensification.
The increase in speed came after the storm passed through 86-degree hot water that acts as fuel on its heat engine.
The NHC added that storm surges could produce coastal flooding and damaging waves.
Forecasts show Hilary moving north along the Baja California coast, reaching Southern California on Sunday evening.
The National Weather Service has released an excess rainfall forecast for the low deserts of Southern California.
An advisory issued by the NHC said: ‘Heavy rainfall associated with Hilary could produce areas of flash flooding and lead to landslides on parts of the Baja California Peninsula late tonight through Sunday evening.
“The effects of Hilary’s rainfall in the southwestern United States are expected to peak this weekend through Monday.
“Flash, urban and arroyo flooding is expected, with the potential for rare and dangerous impacts.”
The storm is currently moving west-northwest at nearly 10 miles per hour, bringing maximum sustained winds of nearly 145 mph
According to the National Weather Service, Big Bear Lake, Julian, Idyllwild and Mt. Laguna could receive up to 7 inches of rain between Saturday and Monday.
The Coachella Valley including Palm Springs could see up to 5 inches. Hemet, San Bernardino, Hesperia and Victorville could see up to 4 inches.
Phil Klotzbach, hurricane researcher at Colorado State University, said: “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 retrieve the rocket booster.
