Hilary rapidly strengthens into a Category 4 hurricane off the coast of Mexico and has the potential to bring significant rainfall to the southwestern United States.

 

Hurricane Hilary has undergone rapid intensification, reaching Category 4 status off the Pacific coast of Mexico. There is a possibility that it might result in substantial rainfall across the southwestern United States over the upcoming weekend.

Hurricane Hilary rapidly escalated to a Category 4 strength off the Pacific coast of Mexico and is poised to potentially bring substantial rainfall to the southwestern United States over the upcoming weekend.

As of midnight, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Hilary's sustained winds were approaching 140 mph (220 kph), with expectations for further swift intensification continuing until Friday morning, followed by a predicted weakening phase starting on Saturday.

Anticipated tropical storm conditions are predicted to make an impact on the Baja California peninsula by late Friday. Hilary's projected trajectory raises the possibility of making landfall in the central region of the peninsula by Sunday. Alternatively, it could remain slightly offshore while heading towards Southern California.

The hurricane's current center is located approximately 425 miles (685 kilometers) south of Los Cabos, situated at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. Its movement is characterized by a west-northwest direction at a speed of 14 mph (22 kph), with a gradual northward shift forecasted through Saturday.

The hurricane center has issued a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning for various regions within Baja California Sur state. This signifies the anticipation of tropical storm conditions to arise within the next 36 hours and the possibility of hurricane conditions within 48 hours. Additionally, a tropical storm watch has been issued for certain parts of Baja California state.

The hurricane center indicated that as Hurricane Hilary approaches or grazes the Baja peninsula, there is a potential for it to briefly maintain its presence as a tropical storm or tropical depression and potentially cross the U.S. border.

Since September 25, 1939, there has been no recorded instance of a tropical storm making landfall in Southern California, according to the National Weather Service.

"Rainfall impacts from Hilary within the Southwestern United States are expected to peak this weekend into Monday," the hurricane center stated. They cautioned about the likelihood of flash floods, urban inundation, and arroyo flooding, with the potential for significant repercussions.

The geographical area that could experience heavy rainfall encompasses a stretch from Bakersfield, California, to Yuma, Arizona, including certain portions of southern Nevada.

SpaceX postponed the launch of a rocket carrying a satellite from a base on California's central coast, rescheduling it for at least Monday. The company cited challenging Pacific conditions that could hamper the recovery of the rocket booster.

In Southern California, a forecast for excessive rainfall has been extended from Sunday to Tuesday, as reported by the Los Angeles weather office.

Although the chances of Hilary making landfall in California as a tropical storm are slim, the probability of substantial rainfall and resultant flooding is considerably high, noted UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain in an online briefing on Wednesday.

The Mexican government communicated that a weakened Hilary might approach the coast on Sunday night, possibly falling between the cities of Playas de Rosarito and Ensenada in Baja California state.