California Prepares for Record-Breaking Downpour as Uncommon Tropical Storm Hilary Approaches

California is preparing for a major storm that is expected to bring several days of heavy rain, with forecasters predicting it to be the most significant rainfall event since Tropical Storm Hilary. The storm, which originated from the Gulf of Alaska, caused a snow emergency in Anchorage, Alaska last week where it dumped over five feet of snow in less than a day on Thompson Pass.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, the storm is projected to move slowly off the West Coast, possibly taking until the weekend to reach the western United States. While this offshore track may limit widespread impactful rain, it will also prolong the period of rainfall. Cities across Northern California, including San Francisco, Sacramento, and Redding, could experience three consecutive days of rain, marking the first significant rainfall since May.

The storm is expected to drift across the Pacific and off the coast of Northern California, cutting itself off from the jet stream that would typically move it across the country. As a result, the storm will meander off the coast, being influenced by a high-pressure system to the west. This weather pattern could lead to at least three days of rain along the coast. The greatest flood threat is anticipated on Thursday after several days of rain saturate the soil.

The storm may also bring rain to Southern California later in the week, which would be the first major rainmaker for the region since Tropical Storm Hilary in August, according to the FOX Forecast Center. The low-pressure system associated with the storm is expected to move eastward towards the end of the workweek.

Meteorologist Hayley Meier explains that the storm will approach the coast on Wednesday and will move closer on Thursday and Friday, bringing rain to areas such as Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Some regions could receive around half an inch to an inch of rain from this system.

In addition to the heavy rainfall, the Sierra Nevada mountain range is likely to receive significant early-season snowfall. However, the exact amount of snow remains uncertain, depending on how close the storm tracks to the coast. The southern Sierra is expected to receive at least a foot of snow across the higher peaks from Thursday into the weekend.

The impending storm has created some concerns in San Francisco, as the city is currently hosting the international Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Despite typically welcoming rain, the city is hoping for favorable weather conditions during the event.

Overall, California is bracing for the biggest soaking since the rare Tropical Storm Hilary, with residents and officials preparing for the potential impacts of heavy rainfall and snowfall across the state.