Hillary was downgraded to a tropical storm and moved into Southern California and Arizona.
The worst impacts are expected in Southern California, but the National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for southwestern Arizona and wind advisories for much of the state.
Hillary circled off the west coast of Baja California and clipped a peninsula near Bahia Tortugas, about 750 miles south of San Diego, around 2 a.m. Arizona time. At approximately 25 mph she continued north-northwest and made landfall again on the Baja Peninsula south of Ensenada. Since then, the Category 1 hurricane has significantly weakened and been downgraded.
Although the storm weakened significantly once it made landfall, it will bring significant amounts of precipitation to certain areas of the Southwest, particularly Southern California.
Hillary was the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years. In parts of the state, the storm dumped more than half of the average annual rainfall.
The National Weather Service predicted that “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding is possible in parts of Baja California and the southwestern United States through Monday.”
In Arizona, the National Weather Service has issued several weather-related advisories and warnings.
The weather service said the worst impacts in southwestern Arizona will be Saturday through Sunday, with conditions “worsening” in areas such as Yuma and La Paz counties. In both of these counties, two advisories have been issued:
- Flood watch from 8 a.m. Saturday to 5 p.m. Monday.
- Wind advisory from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday
Hurricane Hillary updates:20 cancellations and 70 delays at Sky Harbor
As the hurricane brings monsoon activity to Arizona, here's what Arizonans need to know.
Where did Hurricane Hillary occur?
Hillary formed as a tropical storm off Mexico's South Pacific coast on Wednesday.
The National Hurricane Center upgraded Hillary to a Category 4 hurricane on Friday morning and downgraded it to Category 3 on Saturday morning. By Saturday afternoon, Hillary had been demoted to Category 2.
What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon?
Hurricanes and typhoons are both tropical cyclones and are named based on where in the world they occur. If a cyclone is in the North Atlantic or central or eastern North Pacific, it is a hurricane. In the northwest Pacific, it's a typhoon.
If a storm originates in the South Pacific or Indian Ocean, it is commonly referred to simply as a tropical cyclone.
So because of Hillary's position, it becomes a hurricane.
However, it is very likely that Hillary will be downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm once it reaches land, although the eastern part of the storm could reach parts of western Arizona, including Yuma, with wind gusts of up to 40 to 50 mph. You should.
Tracking Hurricane Hillary:Increased monsoon activity in Arizona
Will Hurricane Hillary hit Arizona?
Hurricane Hillary, a Category 2 storm, is heading north from Mexico and is expected to make landfall in Baja California around noon Sunday. It was still off the coast of Mexico as of Saturday afternoon.
Although it won't directly hit Arizona, western Pima and Yuma counties could see increased precipitation and stronger wind gusts throughout the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Tucson.
In Yuma and western Pima County, wind gusts could reach 50 and 60 mph in some areas closer to California. These areas could see up to a half inch of rain in some places, or more or less.
Tom Dunn, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said thunderstorm activity is expected Saturday afternoon and evening, with a break overnight and more thunderstorm activity Sunday, although it will be more “hit-or-miss” than Saturday. ” will probably be the most common.
It will be a typical monsoon day in Tucson, Phoenix and northern Arizona, with standard showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, he said.
“Localized heavy rain and gusty winds are possible, but otherwise it won't feel like a hurricane,” in Tucson and the cities north of Tucson, Dunn said.
However, residents living or traveling further away may experience more severe impacts, such as localized flash flooding and strong winds, which could pose potential damages, he said. said.
He noted that Phoenix and northern Arizona will experience weather patterns similar to Tucson.
This hurricane marks the first time in history that the National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm or hurricane watch for Southern California. Weather events like this are not unprecedented in Arizona, but they are unusual.
Which parts of Arizona will be affected by Hillary?
Although Hillary is not expected to hit Arizona directly, it will have the biggest impact on the southern part of the state due to its proximity to Baja California, where it is expected to make landfall on Sunday.
The National Weather Service said areas from Arizona's Yuma County to La Paz County and California's Riverside County will be at the greatest risk of flash flooding. The forecast Friday night said rain could start in the evening and continue into Saturday morning. He also noted that portions of Interstate 10 that have been damaged by storms in the past could be damaged by excessive rain.
The weather service also issued a wind advisory for southwestern Arizona and southeastern California, with winds expected to reach 35 to 45 mph Sunday afternoon into early Monday morning, causing power outages due to downed power lines. announced that there is a possibility.
Hurricane Hillary in Arizona:How Yuma County and others are preparing for the arrival of the monsoon
How much rain has it rained in Phoenix this year? Will Hillary help?
Phoenix will get some rain thanks to Hillary, but extreme storm conditions will likely be avoided.
Phoenix has received 2.9 inches of rainfall for the year so far, about 1.5 inches less than normal due to an unusually dry monsoon, said Matt Salerno, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Phoenix.
Phoenix is expected to receive between a quarter and a half inch of rain, which will make up some of the difference, but not enough.
Will Hurricane Hillary help Lake Mead and other reservoirs?
Hillary should also help bring more precipitation to Lake Mead and other reservoirs, but not enough to make up for the former's historic lows.
Where else will Hurricane Hillary hit?
The National Hurricane Center predicted that Hillary's impact could cause “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding across Baja California and the southwestern United States through Monday.”
After hitting the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Hillary is expected to move north toward Las Vegas and eventually into the Pacific Northwest, where it will eventually dissipate.
