Hurricane Hilary Hits Category 4; First Tropical Storm Watch for California in History

Hurricane Hilary reached Category 4 status on Friday morning, and the National Hurricane Center issued its first-ever tropical storm watch for Southern California, as the entire southwestern region braces for heavy rains, high surf, and flash flooding.

The tropical storm watch was extended to all of Los Angeles County, and much of Ventura County, as of 3 p.m. PST Friday.

The Tropical Strom Watch has been expanded to include ALL of LOS ANGELES County, as well as mountains, valley and foothills of Ventura County. pic.twitter.com/zL6SX9vO50

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) August 18, 2023

The storm, off the west coast of Mexico and moving northwards as of midday Friday, has maximum sustained winds of 145 miles per hour. Hurricane watches have been issued for Baja California, and a tropical storm watch for San Diego and Orange counties. . .

Heavy rainfall is also expected, especially in the inland mountains and desert regions, which are normally dry this time of year.

Heavy rain associated with Hurricane Hilary is expected to spread into the SW and western U.S. this weekend/early next week. Rainfall totals of 3-6" (isolated amounts up to 10") are forecast across portions of southern CA and southern NV, which would lead to significant impacts. pic.twitter.com/Iq2uVDvMTq

— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) August 18, 2023