Southern California is on the verge of a significant weather shift from record heat to the potential chaos of a tropical storm, as remnants of Hurricane Rachel are projected to impact the area this weekend. This could bring with it heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, coastal flooding, and waves reaching up to 15 feet.
After enduring several days of sweltering triple-digit temperatures, the region may finally feel the effects of the rainy season on Sunday. Rachel is expected to break apart thanks to a robust low-pressure system off the California coast, which will push a surge of tropical moisture northward.
“Be cautious of the rapid weather changes from extreme heat to tropical weather,” meteorologist Jason D. Farhang advised recently.
Although Rachel is likely to weaken into a post-tropical system before hitting Southern California, the primary dangers will consist of heavy rain, storms, and hazardous surf, rather than hurricane-strength winds.
“Rain along with possible isolated strong to severe thunderstorms is anticipated to develop Sunday afternoon into Monday night,” Farhang mentioned.
Conditions along the coast could become particularly severe.
“Expect large waves crashing along the coast, with heights forecasted between 10 to 12 feet, and possibly even a rogue wave hitting up to 15 feet along areas from San Luis Obispo to Ensenada, Mexico,” he said.
“Coastal flooding is quite likely starting from Sunday at 11 AM to Wednesday at 6 PM,” he added.
Meteorologist Ben Brissey remarked that the remnants of Rachel are increasingly probable to affect Southern California, which could bring a much-needed soaking.
Showers might begin as early as Saturday night, with widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms developing on Sunday. The heaviest rainfall is expected southeast of Los Angeles.
Forecasts suggest that many areas in Southern California could see rainfall totals between a quarter-inch to half an inch, while lower coastal regions and mountains could receive up to an inch. Some weather models, though, predict totals varying from just a tenth of an inch to as much as 2 inches.
Weather specialist Collin Gross also pointed out that the storm is part of a particularly active week in the tropics, emphasizing that Rachel will affect Southern California and Arizona as a post-tropical storm, while other systems are threatening the Gulf Coast and parts of Mexico.
“It’s not every day you see several Southwestern states included in a National Hurricane Center forecast cone,” Gross said.
The National Weather Service has also cautioned beachgoers about the worsening conditions, stating that moderate to significant beach erosion is likely.
“There’s a heightened risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers away from the shore. Waves might wash people off beaches and rocks, and small boats could capsize near the shore,” the agency warned.
The upcoming stormy weekend will markedly contrast the oppressive heat that has enveloped the area.
Downtown Los Angeles experienced four straight days of triple-digit heat this week, marking the longest such event recorded there, with nine daily maximum-temperature records shattered throughout the region, including in Los Angeles, Oxnard, Long Beach, and Santa Ana.
Now, Brissey noted, temperatures could drop to 5 to 10 degrees below normal by Monday as the cooler low-pressure system advances inland.
The remnants of Rachel are expected to move into Arizona and Nevada, and eventually toward Utah, with milder and warmer weather projected to return to Southern California next week.
