Hurricane Hilary now Category 2 storm

Hurricane Hilary is now a Category 2 storm as of mid-Saturday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). 

As a result of the storm’s unique path, California was issued its first tropical storm watch in the state’s history on Friday. The storm, currently off the coast of Baja California, is expected to bring “heavy rainfall” across the Southwest, the NHC said in an advisory.

“Rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated amounts of 10 inches, are expected across portions of southern California and southern Nevada,” the advisory read. “Dangerous to catastrophic flooding is expected. Elsewhere across portions of the Western United States, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected, resulting in localized significant flash flooding.”

On Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) office posted a video on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, featuring safety tips for getting through the storm. They included checking “on vulnerable neighbors and family members,” avoiding “non-essential travel during the peak of the storm,” and taking “inventory of the items” someone needs “that rely on electricity.”

“Hurricane Hilary is on its way,” the caption of the post read.

The storm could potentially reach as far north as Reno, Nev., by Monday.