Tropical storms and hurricanes are not typically associated with California. However, Tropical Storm Hilary, currently forming off Mexico’s coast and expected to upgrade to a hurricane by Thursday, could potentially affect the Golden State.
The National Hurricane Center predicts that Hilary will head towards the Baja California peninsula later this week. While the storm is forecasted to weaken upon approaching the peninsula, its remnants may still result in several inches of rain and possible flooding in the area, as reported by the Washington Post.
The National Weather Service stated on Wednesday, “Confidence continues to increase on a heavy rainfall, potentially high impact, event unfolding across parts of the Southwest and California Saturday to Monday.”
California’s encounter with tropical storms is uncommon but not entirely unheard of. In the previous year, Tropical Storm Kay brought rain, high winds, and flooding to Southern California. Prior to that, the only hurricane known to have made landfall in California was a Category 1 storm that hit near San Diego in 1858, causing winds of 39 to 79 mph and flooding in coastal areas like Long Beach.
On September 25, 1939, a tropical storm made landfall between San Diego and Long Beach, causing 50 mph winds and flooding that likely resulted in the deaths of at least 45 people.
Currently, two other tropical storms, Fernanda and Greg, are situated far out in the Pacific Ocean, according to the Associated Press.