Hurricane Hilary grows off Mexico, could reach California as rare tropical storm
Published:Friday | August 18, 2023 | 2:18 PM
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Hilary grew rapidly to Category 4 strength off Mexico's Pacific coast on Friday and could reach Southern California as the first tropical storm there in 84 years, causing “significant and rare impacts” including extensive flooding.
The United States National Hurricane Center said a tropical storm watch has been issued for Southern California, the first time it has ever done that.
Hilary had sustained winds near 145 mph (230 kph) early Friday and was expected to strengthen a bit more before starting to weaken.
It nevertheless was expected to still be a hurricane when approaching Mexico's Baja California peninsula on Saturday night, and a tropical storm when approaching Southern California on Sunday.
No tropical storm has made landfall in Southern California since September 25, 1939, according to the National Weather Service.
Early Friday, Hilary was centred about 360 miles (575 kilometres) south-southwest of Los Cabos on the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. It was moving northwest at 10 mph (17 kph) and was expected to turn further toward the north.
The Mexican government extended its hurricane watches and warnings northward for parts of Baja California peninsula and also issued a tropical storm watch for parts of mainland Mexico.
Follow The Gleaner on Twitter and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.