Hurricane Hilary Moves Through Eastern Pacific Towards West Coast

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has officially named the eighth Pacific storm of the 2023 hurricane season, Hurricane Hilary, which is moving through the Eastern Pacific Ocean this week.

As of Thursday afternoon, the storm was moving north-northwest through the Eastern Pacific at 13mph, producing winds up to 75 mph near its center.

According to the NHC, the storm has the potential to bring “significant impacts” to both the Baja California Peninsula, which includes Cabo San Lucas and Baja California Sur, along with the southwestern United States, which includes cities such as Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, and more, all in the cone of impact.

The impact could include flash flooding and landslides in some portions of Baja California and flash, urban, and arroyo floods in the Southwestern U.S., according to the NHC.

“Although it is too soon to determine the location and magnitude of wind impacts, interest in these areas should monitor the progress of Hilary and updates to this forecast,” the NCH said on Thursday. “Tropical Storm warnings and Watches are now in effect for southern portions of Baja California Sur, and additional watches or warnings will likely be required later today.”

Hilary’s expected to arrive sometime early Sunday morning for the Baja California Peninsula, and then morning for Southern California.

In terms of travel impact, none of the major U.S. airlines have issued waivers for the storm as of Thursday afternoon—none of Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines had issued an advisory or waiver for Hilary. Cruise lines talking to TMR also have yet to commit to any changes in their schedules, however, a Carnival Cruise line spokesperson did say that its team is “monitoring the storm.”