Hurricane Hilary Strengthens to Category 4 as it Approaches Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula
Hurricane Hilary has intensified into a Category 4 storm as it nears Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm, with sustained winds of 140 mph and stronger gusts, is expected to weaken over the weekend as it brings rain and the threat of flooding to parts of the Southwest US.
Hilary is currently located about 425 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and is forecasted to remain at Category 4 strength going into Saturday. However, it is expected to weaken throughout the day as it enters colder waters to the west of the peninsula.
Mexican officials have issued a hurricane watch and tropical storm watches and warnings for parts of Baja California Sur as Hilary’s center is on track to approach the peninsula on Friday and over the weekend.
There is still uncertainty regarding the heaviest rain and strongest winds in the US as the storm moves north. Small deviations in the hurricane’s track could change the forecast for the most intense rain and wind. The threat of significant wind impacts continues to increase for northern portions of the Baja California Peninsula and the Southwestern United States, especially in areas of mountainous terrain.
Flash flooding and mudslides may also be triggered by downpours in parts of the peninsula from late Friday into Sunday. Hilary is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum amounts up to 10 inches, across portions of the Baja California peninsula through Sunday night. A storm surge could also produce coastal flooding along the western part of the peninsula, accompanied by large and destructive waves.
While Hilary is expected to weaken before reaching Southern California and parts of the Southwest, there is an increasing chance that these regions will be significantly impacted by heavy rain and flooding. Heavy rainfall is expected to begin impacting the Southwest on Friday and through early next week, with the most intense downpours likely on Sunday and Monday.
Southern parts of California and Nevada could see 3 to 5 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 10 inches. Smaller amounts of 1 to 3 inches are expected across central parts of those states, as well as western Arizona and southwest Utah. Prolonged rain may oversaturate the ground and overwhelm waterways, potentially worsening the flood threat.
Flood watches have been issued across southern California, stretching from San Diego to Los Angeles, as residents prepare for potential deluges. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has also warned of the potential for dangerously high surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding.
If Hilary makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it will be a rare occurrence, the first such storm there in nearly 84 years. It would also be only the third tropical storm or stronger to do so on record, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The rainfall from Hilary passing through the Southwest may help combat prolonged drought and recharge depleted groundwater. Drought conditions have persisted in California and Arizona this week and expanded in New Mexico, according to the US Drought Monitor.
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California at Los Angeles, stated that thanks to Hilary, “multiple years’ worth of precipitation could potentially fall in some of the driest parts of California.” Death Valley, California, the hottest place on Earth, typically receives about 2 inches of rain across an entire year. Moisture from Hilary could unleash enough rain to give Death Valley at least a year’s worth of rainfall in a single day.
However, the deluge could also prove dangerous. Last August, around 1,000 people became stranded in Death Valley National Park when 1.46 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, triggering flash flooding that wiped out roads and entombed cars in floodwater-swept debris.
The region has also suffered from the absence of a seasonal monsoon that supplies a large percentage of its yearly rainfall, leaving cities like Phoenix desperate for more rainfall as they endure weeks of sweltering temperatures.
Now, the region is expected to get some relief from the extreme heat as the combined rainfall and increased cloud cover could lower triple-digit temperatures by as much as 20 degrees. The cooling may even help Phoenix break its dangerous heat streak by bringing temperatures below 100 degrees for the first time since mid-June.
CNN’s Eric Zerkel, Taylor Ward, and Monica Garrett contributed to this report.
How should individuals stay informed about Hurricane Hilary and its potential impacts in California
. Tropical storms typically do not make landfall in California, and it has been over a decade since a tropical storm has hit the state. However, even if Hilary weakens before reaching California, it could still bring significant rainfall and flooding to the area.
Authorities are urging residents in the potential affected areas to stay informed and follow any evacuation orders or safety precautions. It is important to have emergency plans in place, including supplies of food, water, and other essentials, as well as a plan for pets and vulnerable individuals.
Hurricane Hilary serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and staying informed during hurricane season. It is crucial to follow the guidance of local authorities and be ready to take action to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Stay tuned to local news and weather updates for the latest information on Hurricane Hilary and its potential impacts.
Stay safe everyone in Baja California Peninsula, make sure to take all necessary precautions!
Oh no, I hope everyone in the area stays safe and prepares for the storm!