Heavy Downpours, Thunder To Slam SoCal From 'Major Hurricane' Hilary

LOS ANGELES, CA — Showers accompanied by thunder and lightning storms are expected to roll into Southern California this weekend as Hurricane Hilary moves north from the coast of Mexico.

National Weather Service forecasters expect downpours to move into SoCal starting Saturday. The rain could last until Wednesday in some regions. So far, according to NWS spokesperson Rose Schoenfeld, the storm's exact path is uncertain.

"The rainfall we are very confident about, but the exact amount is uncertain," said NWS spokesperson Adam Roser. "It's going to be quite a lot of rain."

According to the National Weather Service, Hilary is expected to become a "major hurricane" by Friday night, arriving in Southern California as a tropical storm by Monday. Meteorologists forecast a 20 to 30 percent chance that tropical-storm-force winds will begin as early as Sunday evening.

Areas of Los Angeles County experienced thunder and lightning storms late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning as a precursor to the upcoming storm. Shoenfeld said the recent storm is most likely a result of excess moisture in the area.

Hurricane Hilary is expected to bring significant rainfall to mountains and deserts, Roser said, with some areas forecasted to receive five to six inches of rainfall. Most Southland areas should expect one to two inches of rainfall with the largest amount of rain predicted to fall Monday, according to Schoenfeld.

The storm will bring a much-needed respite from the recent heat waves scorching the Southland. as temperatures drop during the storm, Roser said.

According to the seven-day forecast by the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to drop during the weekend, especially on Sunday, dropping to the high 80s in the San Fernando Valley; 77 degrees in San Diego; 84 degrees in Poway; 80 degrees in Temecula; 74 degrees in Newport Beach; 85 degrees in Lake Forest; 74 degrees in Manhattan Beach; 84 degrees in the San Gabriel Valley; 81 degrees in Hollywood; and 86 degrees in Palm Springs.

Due to rainfall, residents may see some road flooding, and NWS forecasters advised people to be prepared in the case of flash flooding. Strong winds are also expected to blow through Sunday night into Monday, reaching speeds of up to 40mph in some areas.

The wind may result in dangerously high surf along portions of the coast late in the weekend into early next week, according to the weather service.

Weather Service officials said residents should keep updated with the National Hurricane Center forecast to see if there is a danger of flash flooding near them.