Hurricanes? In California??

[Yazata]

Hurricane Hillary (wouldn't you know it) is predicted to move northwards to the west of southern Baja California as a major hurricane. Then it looks like it will graze northern Baja as it weakens, causing lots of potential flash-flood danger in that largely desert part of Mexico.

Then it looks like they project its center to cross into the United States somewhere between Yuma AZ and Santa Barbara at tropical storm strength. This could bring flooding danger to those areas. If it takes a more westerly path, it could head straight at Los Angeles with strong winds. My guess it will go east of there, which would put the Imperial valley and Palm Springs in its path, though it would weaken faster over land.

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics_ep4.sh...t#contents

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/...ges_sm.png

[Image: F3vokgJagAEfOtT?format=jpg&name=900x900]

[Magical Realist]

Batten down the hatches! And pull out your golashes!

[Yazata]

As I expected, the cone seems to be drifting eastwards. So the center of the storm is likely to move over land along the northern Baja California coast, pass eastwards of Ensenada and Tijuana, and cross into the United States in the mountains east of San Diego. Passage over land will reduce wind speeds, though tropical storm force winds will probably happen in the higher mountain elevations.

The bigger danger will be excessive rain. This will probably extend northwards into the Riverside/San Bernardino area late Sunday into early Monday and could bring with it dangerous flash flooding as creeks spill over their banks.

[Yazata]

Well, tropical storm Hilary has crossed into southern California.

So far it seems to be a lot of excitement about very little. Little wind in San Diego, except in the higher elevation to the east. Moderate rain, perhaps heavy in some locations, but nothing more than the "pineapple express" warm wet storms that blow in from the vicinity of Hawaii every year.

There are flash flood warnings up for most of southern California, which typically means that flash floods are actually happening somewhere. (Watches mean that they are possible.) So tales of destruction may trickle in during the coming hours.

But right now, it's a rainstorm but nothing really extraordinary.

There may be more serious devastation, but down to the south in Mexico in some of the remote Baja desert communities.

[Magical Realist]

We got some much needed heavy rains in the eastern part of Oregon. Maybe it will help put out fires near Spokane and in Canada as it goes further north.