Southern California could be hit with a hurricane as the tropical storm Karina in Pacific strengthens.
According to KTLA, as per meteorologists, tropical storm currently forming off the coast of Baja California could develop into a hurricane by next week.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Bryan Lewis told KTLA 5 News that the National Hurricane Center predicts an 80% chance of a tropical depression with wind speeds below 38 mph forming in the area within the next 48 hours, and a 90% chance in the next seven days.
Lewis said that the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane is wind speed. A tropical storm has wind speeds of 39 to 74 mph. A hurricane has wind speeds greater than 74 mph.
Lewis said, “Once the depression forms, the National Hurricane Center will then likely write a discussion about it and include probabilities of tropical storm or even hurricane formation, so stay tuned for that.”
When could a hurricane make landfall in California?
Goldberg reports that the storm could develop into a hurricane by Friday or Saturday, September 5.
The storm might weaken by Saturday night or early Sunday morning and reach landfall in Southern California as a tropical storm.
The storm would likely bring heavy rain and extreme humidity to Southern California that would last into the following week, potentially causing flooding.
Lewis said that it’s rare for tropical storms to make landfall in California. The last tropical storm to make landfall in the region was in 1939.
He noted, “However, several tropical systems have weakened below tropical storm strength before making landfall. Most recently, Hilary brought significant rainfall and impacts to Southern California in August 2023. Hilary was not a tropical storm by the time it reached California.”
The storm potential is fueled by a “super” El Niño brewing in the Pacific Ocean. The climate pattern creates warmer ocean temperatures in the Eastern Pacific. The El Niño is currently causing a marine heat wave.
NWS data shows that Southern California is currently seeing sea surface temperatures 5 to 10 degrees above normal for this time of year.
