August 20, 2023/pm
Summary: Tropical storm Hilary is located 330 miles south/southeast of LA at this hour. Hilary is moving to the northwest at a good clip at 25 mph. Maximum sustained winds are at 65mph. However, as I perused southern California during the morning hours, there were numerous gusts in the 60 to 79 mph wind range, especially over San Diego County. Flash flood warnings are now out for much of southern California, including all of LA County and parts of Ventura County. The rain has been channeling northward along the eastern rim of the valley this morning with mostly dry conditions along the west side. However, there’s a huge chunk of tropical juice currently moving through southern California which will move northward at a more westerly angle, meaning the precipitation will overspread the remainder of the valley this afternoon and tonight. Rainfall estimates, according to high resolution models, have changed little from this morning with heaviest precipitation expected over the southern and eastern flanks of the valley where 1 to 2 inches is certainly possible. A new report for Kern County has just popped up indicating flash flooding is taking place along Wheeler Ridge Rd. which is not a surprise as rainfall rates have been estimated .50 to 1.00 per hour. Rainfall between .50 and 1.00 and possibly more is possible along the central and west sides of the valley. Winds will be a trickly proposition this afternoon and tonight as gusts just under 80mph have been reported in San Diego County. Wind gusts of just under 50mph have been reported along the top of the Grapevine. It’s possible locally gusty south to southeast winds could pick up later in Kern County and locally elsewhere.
Forecast Rain tonight, locally heavy at times, with a chance of embedded thunderstorms. Rain Monday morning, locally heavy at times. Showers Monday afternoon and evening with a chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers for a time Monday night then ending. Partly cloudy Tuesday through Wednesday morning. Mostly clear Wednesday night through Sunday.
Temperatures: Lows tonight will cool into the upper 60s to the lower 70s. Highs Monday will warm into the low to mid 80s. Lows Monday night will cool into the upper 60s to the lower 70s. Highs Tuesday will warm into the mid 80s to near 90.
Next update: August 21/am