Only One Tropical Storm Has Ever Hit Southern California. Could Rachel Be Next?

While Hurricane Isaias is understandably grabbing all of the weather headlines this week, the western U.S. will be dealing with its own tropical weather impact. Here is a look at how what is left of the former Hurricane Rachel will impact the Desert Southwest beginning this weekend.

Rachel's Remnants Taking Aim at the Southwestern U.S. with Heavy Rain

The good news is that the heat wave is about to break across the Pacific Southwest. The bad news is that drenching rainfall and windy conditions will accompany the cooler temperatures.

Tropical Storm Rachel is currently churning over the Eastern Pacific, moving to the west-northwest at a slow crawl of 3 mph. Rachel is forecast to approach the West Coast later this weekend, potentially surviving as a tropical storm or depression when it moves into California.

California is not typically subject to tropical weather landfalls. The last tropical storm to come ashore intact in the Golden State was back in 1939. However, several major storms have come close to making landfall over the years. For instance, 2023's Hilary was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone just before the center of the storm reached land. The heavy rain associated with Hilary triggered significant flooding and other impacts that lasted for days, proving that a feature can still wreak havoc after it is downgraded.

Although Rachel was less intense than Hilary at its peak, it is still forecast to usher in heavy rain and gusty conditions as it moves farther inland across the southwestern corner of the U.S. The expected interaction with a dip in the jet stream will amplify Rachel's impacts, giving it life as it tracks through the Desert Southwest and beyond.

Unlike Hilary, which was distinguished by its narrow rain path, Rachel's impacts could be more widespread. Forecasters are warning that those with outdoor plans will want to be aware of the likelihood of heavy rain falling at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour at times. Rain of this magnitude will inevitably raise the threat of flash flooding.