Hillary Friday Night Update: Category 4 Hurricane Targeting Mexico
Strong winds and waves are expected to affect Mexico on Saturday while heavy rain will hit the southwest with several inches of rain.
As of Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET, Hurricane Hillary is a Category 4 hurricane heading toward the southwestern U.S. Continuing coverage Go here.
Hurricane Hillary has seen rapid intensification in the Pacific Ocean, strengthening from a tropical storm to a major Category 4 hurricane in less than 48 hours, but its increasing trend has come to an end with its final approach to the Mexican coast.
While Hillary will not impact the United States with hurricane force, the Baja California Peninsula and southwestern United States will feel the aftereffects, with dangerous flooding and high winds as the main threats.
“Catastrophic and life-threatening flooding is likely over Baja California and the southwestern United States through Monday,” the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest warning.
Meteorologists warn of the possibility of historic floods with annual rainfall within two days.
What to expect from the tropics in August
People walk along the coast in Acapulco, Guerrero state, Mexico, on August 16, 2023, after Tropical Storm Hillary passed. (Francisco Robles/AFP)
Where is Hurricane Hillary located?
The center of Hurricane Hillary is moving north-northwest at 13 mph. It is expected to turn northward and increase forward speed on Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Hillary's center will move near the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula over the weekend and reach Southern California by Sunday night.
California's exposure to tropical systems is extremely rare
Are there any weather alerts for Hurricane Hillary?
A rare tropical storm warning has been issued near Los Angeles and up to the U.S.-Mexico border, including Catalina Island. According to NHC, this is the first time the agency has issued a warning for this area.
Much of San Diego, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Ventura counties are included in the warning. The indoor alerts cover cities like Riverside, Palm Springs, San Bernardino, Victorville, Pine Valley and Santa Clarita.
a Tropical Storm Warning Issued when tropical storm force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected within the alert area within 36 hours.
Hillary also prompted the Mexican government to issue a series of watches and warnings for the entire Baja California Peninsula and parts of mainland Mexico.
a Hurricane warning Issued when hurricane-force winds (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are expected within the monitoring area, within 36 hours.
These winds may be accompanied by storm surge, coastal flooding and/or river flooding.
How to prepare for hurricane season
What is the forecast for Hurricane Hillary?
Maximum wind speeds will reach 130 mph with higher gusts. The National Hurricane Center said the weakening is expected to continue through Saturday, but Hillary will remain a hurricane when it approaches the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula on Saturday and Sunday evening.
Hillary is expected to weaken and become a tropical storm Sunday afternoon before reaching Southern California.
Hurricane winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 265 miles.
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What are the effects of Hurricane Hillary?
Hurricane Hillary is expected to bring 3 to 6 inches of rain and up to 10 inches in isolated areas across parts of Baja California by Sunday night, the National Hurricane Center warned. Flash floods may occur. Across parts of the western U.S., rainfall totals are expected to reach 1-3 inches, but forecast models show up to 5 inches of rain is possible in some areas through Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center said heavy rains associated with Hillary could produce areas of flash flooding and trigger landslides on parts of the Baja California Peninsula from late Friday through late Sunday.
Rainfall impacts from Hillary within the southwestern United States are expected to peak this weekend and into Monday. Floods are expected with the potential for major impacts.
The NWS issued a flood watch from Saturday morning through Monday afternoon. (Fox Weather)
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center issued a rare threat of heavy rainfall for Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. This is the first time such a threat has been presented to the low-lying desert areas of Southern California to the east of the mountain ranges.
The threat of hurricane-force wind impacts is increasing along the west-central coast of the Baja California Peninsula, where a hurricane watch is in effect. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin across the southern portion of the Baja California Peninsula later Friday and then spread northward over the weekend.
Experts say Hurricane Hillary will impact Southern California's supply chain
The threat of significant wind impacts continues to increase in the northern portions of the Baja California Peninsula and the southwestern United States, especially in areas of mountainous terrain.
Big waves from Hillary will spread north along southwestern Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula. These swells will reach the Gulf of California and northern parts of the Baja California Peninsula later this weekend.
Airlines are issuing travel waivers for passengers traveling to Mexico and California
Several US airlines have announced travel waivers for passengers traveling to either Mexico or California.
Jet Blue, American, Alaska, Delta and United encourage passengers to check their itinerary for changes before traveling to the area.
United Airlines has expanded travel waivers to cities throughout the Golden State which included: Bakersfield (BFL), Burbank (BUR), Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), Palm Springs (PSP), San Diego (SAN). Santa Barbara. (SBA), San Luis Obispo (SBP), and Orange County (SNA).
Major sporting events affected by Hillary's threat
Both Major League Baseball and the National Football League are monitoring the hurricane's future movements.
MLB adjusted game times in both Los Angeles and San Diego to avoid holding games on Sunday.
The NFL is monitoring the weather due to a preseason game scheduled for Sunday night between the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
Hurricane Hillary affects space launches from California
Due to the hurricane's proximity to the waters off Southern California, SpaceX has postponed the launch of its Falcon 9 rocket with Starlink satellites.
The event was expected to take place on Friday morning, but the private space company said it would attempt another launch next week, if weather conditions improve.
Weather conditions at Vandenberg Space Force Base north of Los Angeles were in the 60s with minimal winds on Thursday, but Elon Musk's SpaceX said it needed calmer seas in the Pacific Ocean to ensure safe booster recoveries.
