Potential Hurricane Remnants Could Bring Flooding to Southern California This Labor Day
Meteorologists caution that storm 95-E, possibly named Marie, may deliver heavy rain and coastal flooding to Southern California over the Labor Day weekend.
Weather experts are observing a disturbance labeled 95-E in the eastern Pacific, south of the Baja California peninsula, that may be upgraded to tropical storm Marie as soon as Tuesday. The National Weather Service office in San Diego assesses that the most probable track is a westward turn, yet acknowledges a decent probability of a northward path that would bring the system into Southern California. UC climate scientist Daniel Swain explains that even a decaying storm could produce breezy conditions, heavy showers, thunderstorms and significant coastal swells, coinciding with above-normal tides and creating flood and landslide hazards.
Meteorologist Kristan Lund notes that moderate-to-large surf may begin Friday, with potential coastal flooding on south-facing shores over the weekend. Winds are expected to be no stronger than those in a strong winter storm, but heavy mountain rain could trigger flash floods and debris flows. Past events such as Hurricane Hilary and rare tropical-storm-strength systems in 1939 and 1997 illustrate the low but possible risk of serious impacts.
Why it matters
Residents could face dangerous rain, flooding and landslides during a major holiday weekend.
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