Hurricane Hilary to intensify, cause severe effects in California.
Hurricane Hilary Expected to Strengthen, Have Heavy Impacts on California
Hurricane Hilary is causing major concern as it undergoes rapid intensification, with the latest weather reports indicating that it is only expected to get worse. According to a Fox Weather report, Hilary went from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane within just 48 hours. The report also predicts that Hilary will be classified as a Category 5 hurricane later on Friday.
A Category 5 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center, brings the potential for catastrophic damage, leaving areas uninhabitable for months. Unfortunately, Hilary is expected to make landfall within the continental United States.
However, there is some good news. Fox reports that Hilary is not expected to hit the U.S. at hurricane-level strength. While the Baja California Peninsula and parts of the southwestern United States may be spared from a direct hit, there are still concerns about flooding and high winds in those regions.
The center of Hilary is projected to move close to the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula over the weekend and reach Southern California by Sunday night.
Is California Prepared?
On Friday morning, the National Weather Service’s San Diego branch issued a historic storm watch warning on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The post announced that a Tropical Storm Watch had been issued for much of Southern California, marking the first time the National Hurricane Center has issued such a watch for the region.
A Tropical Storm Watch has now been issued for much of Southern California. This is the first Tropical Strom Watch issued by the National Hurricane Center for Southern California. Please see the latest advisory for more information: https://t.co/g1SCAh22Of #CAwx https://t.co/TZnTL9pwPW
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) August 18, 2023
The post also quoted an earlier post that issued a stark warning about the potential havoc that Hilary could bring, including flash flooding and landslides. The NWS San Diego had announced less than a day earlier that Hilary had been upgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, highlighting its rapid intensification.
Hilary has been upgraded to a Category 3 (Major) hurricane as of 5 PM PDT. Hilary is expected to strengthen further tomorrow, before weakening on approach to Southern California. Expect very heavy rain and tropical storm-force winds in SoCal Sat-Mon.#CAwx pic.twitter.com/hat2gf2YhS
— NWS San Diego (@NWSSanDiego) August 18, 2023
The center of Hurricane Hilary is currently moving toward the northwest at 10 mph, with a turn toward the northwest and north-northwest expected. By the time it makes landfall, Hilary is expected to weaken to a tropical storm.
Stay informed and stay safe as this powerful hurricane approaches.
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