Hurricane Hilary 2023 path tracker: Where is the tropical storm heading?

Publish date: 2024-05-03

CALIFORNIA officials have warned the "worst of the storm has yet to come" as Hurricane Hilary continues to sweep through the southwestern US.

The tropical storm made landfall on Sunday on the Baja California peninsula of Mexico - here's everything you need to know about where it's heading next.

Where is Hurricane Hilary going to hit?

In August 2023, it was reported Hurricane Hilary would be hitting the United States.

The hurricane, initially a Category 4, was set to occur only on the West Coast, specifically in the Southern California and Nevada areas.

Samantha Connolly, a National Weather Service meteorologist said on August 17, 2023, in a forecast: "The combination of heavy rainfall, the potential for flash flooding, and strong winds could very well make this a high-impact event for Southern California."

The tropical storm made landfall Sunday on the Baja California peninsula of Mexico, with “catastrophic and life-threatening flooding” expected in the region, including across parts of the southwestern US, according to the National Hurricane Center (NCH).

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A person drowned on Saturday in the Mexican town of Santa Rosalia, after a vehicle was swept away in a severe flood.

Hurricane Hilary is expected to be the first tropical storm in 84 years to hit landfall in California.

According to the NCH, the potentially historic amount of rainfall will continue to sweep through the southwestern US and is expected to cause flash, urban, and arroyo flooding including landslides, mudslides, and debris flow through early Monday morning.

Parts of Oregon and Idaho could get 1 to 3 inches of rain with up to 5 inches in some places through Tuesday.

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Localized flooding impacts are also expected across northern portions of the Intermountain West.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in parts of the southwestern US within the Tropical Storm Warning area throughout tonight.

Experts have also warned that winds could be particularly strong in and around areas of higher terrain, with gusty winds expected to spread well inland across the western US.

Large swells generated by Hilary are set to affect portions of the Baja California Peninsula and southern California through early Monday and are likely to cause "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions".

In Nevada, officials remain concerned about dangerous flooding across the western Mojave Desert, which is at high risk for flash flooding, "an exceedingly rare occurrence," NWS Las Vegas said on Sunday.

In 2022, Tropical Storm Kay occurred bringing flooding and heavy rain but didn't make landfall.

When did Hurricane Hilary start?

On Thursday, August 17, in the afternoon maximum sustained winds of 105mph began to occur off of Mexico's Pacific coast.

Starting Friday, August 18, Southern California and Nevada started to see heavy rain and potential flooding.

But Hilary was at its peak at the beginning of Sunday, August 20, and is set to continue into Monday, August 21.

The NHC says: "Intense heavy rainfall associated with Hilary is expected across the Southwestern United States through early Monday morning.

"Rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches, are expected across portions of southern California and southern Nevada, leading to dangerous to catastrophic flooding."

According to the hurricane center, here's how much rainfall these areas can potentially see:

What category is Hurricane Hilary?

As of August 21, 2023, Hurricane Hilary has been downgraded from a Category 4 rating to a Category 1.

According to the NCH, a Category 1 hurricane will see "very dangerous winds produce some damage".

"Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roofs, shingles, vinyl siding, and gutters," they explained.

"Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days".

The storm is expected to weaken further and make landfall in Southern California as a tropical storm.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has pre-positioned staff and supplies in Southern California, President Joe Biden told reporters at Camp David.

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In a statement by the hurricane center on Hilary, experts say it is "likely to become a major hurricane."

It's thought the storm will be a major hurricane while off the coast of Mexico, before weakening as it crosses over land.

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