Hurricane Hilary is expected to intensify into a Category 4 storm as it approaches Mexico’s Baja Peninsula on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm, currently located about 430 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, is predicted to bring heavy rain and flooding to parts of the Southwest US.
With sustained winds of near 125 mph, Hilary strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane on Thursday evening and is likely to become a powerful Category 4 storm on Friday. However, it is expected to weaken as it continues north on Saturday.
Mexican officials have issued a hurricane watch and tropical storm watches and warnings for parts of Baja California Sur as Hilary’s center approaches the Baja Peninsula. The storm’s track could change, leading to variations in the forecast for the most intense rain and wind in the US.
The hurricane center has warned of significant wind impacts for northern portions of the Baja California Peninsula and the Southwestern United States, particularly in mountainous areas. Flash flooding and mudslides may also occur in parts of the peninsula from late Friday into Sunday.
While Hilary is expected to weaken before reaching Southern California and other parts of the Southwest, there is an increasing chance of heavy rain and flooding in those regions. Forecasters predict that heavy rainfall will begin impacting the Southwest on Friday and continue through early next week, with the most intense downpours likely on Sunday and Monday.
Southern areas of California and Nevada could see 3 to 5 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 10 inches. Central parts of these states, as well as western Arizona and southwest Utah, are expected to receive smaller amounts of 1 to 3 inches. The prolonged rain could oversaturate the ground and overwhelm waterways, worsening the flood threat.
As a result, weekend flood watches have been issued across southern California, from San Diego to Los Angeles. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has also warned of 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 last such storm to hit California was nearly 84 years ago, and it would only be the third tropical storm or stronger to do so on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
While the storm poses risks, it may also bring relief to areas suffering from prolonged drought. Drought conditions have persisted in California and Arizona this week and expanded in New Mexico. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California at Los Angeles, stated that Hilary could potentially bring “multiple years’ worth of precipitation” to some of the driest parts of California.
One of the areas that could benefit from the rainfall is Death Valley, California, known as the hottest place on Earth. Typically receiving only 2 inches of rain in an entire year, Death Valley could potentially receive a year’s worth of rainfall in a single day due to Hilary’s moisture. However, the deluge could also be dangerous, as demonstrated by flash flooding last August that stranded around 1,000 people in Death Valley National Park.
The region has also suffered from the absence of a seasonal monsoon, which supplies a significant portion of its yearly rainfall. Cities like Phoenix, enduring weeks of sweltering temperatures, are desperate for more rainfall. The combined rainfall and increased cloud cover from Hilary could lower triple-digit temperatures by as much as 20 degrees, providing some relief from the extreme heat. This cooling may even help Phoenix break its dangerous heat streak by bringing temperatures below 100 degrees for the first time since mid-June.
The rainfall passing through the Southwest may also help combat the prolonged drought and recharge depleted groundwater. The US Drought Monitor reported that drought conditions persisted in California and Arizona this week, exacerbating the need for precipitation.
As Hurricane Hilary approaches, residents in affected areas are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
How has the National Hurricane Center predicted the intensity and path of Hurricane Hilary as it approaches the Baja Peninsula?
Record.
The National Hurricane Center has predicted that Hurricane Hilary will intensify into a Category 4 storm as it approaches Mexico’s Baja Peninsula on Friday. Currently located about 430 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, the storm is expected to bring heavy rain and flooding to parts of the Southwest US.
With sustained winds of near 125 mph, Hurricane Hilary strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane on Thursday evening and is likely to become a powerful Category 4 storm on Friday. However, the storm is expected to weaken as it continues north on Saturday.
Considering the approaching storm, Mexican officials have issued a hurricane watch and tropical storm watches and warnings for parts of Baja California Sur as Hilary’s center approaches the Baja Peninsula. It is important to note that the storm’s track could change, leading to variations in the forecast for the most intense rain and wind in the US.
The National Hurricane Center has warned of significant wind impacts for northern portions of the Baja California Peninsula and the Southwestern United States, especially in mountainous areas. Additionally, flash flooding and mudslides may occur in parts of the peninsula from late Friday into Sunday.
While Hilary is projected to weaken before reaching Southern California and other parts of the Southwest, there is an increasing chance of heavy rain and flooding in those regions. Forecasters expect heavy rainfall to begin impacting the Southwest on Friday and continue through early next week, with the most intense downpours likely on Sunday and Monday.
Southern areas of California and Nevada could see 3 to 5 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 10 inches. Central parts of these states, as well as western Arizona and southwest Utah, are expected to receive smaller amounts of 1 to 3 inches. The prolonged rain could oversaturate the ground and overwhelm waterways, exacerbating the flood threat.
As a result, flood watches have been issued for the weekend across southern California, from San Diego to Los Angeles. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has also warned of dangerously high surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding.
If Hilary makes landfall in California as a tropical storm, it would be a rare occurrence. The last time a storm of this nature hit California was nearly 84 years ago. This event would mark the third time a tropical storm or stronger made landfall in California.
