A powerful storm, Hurricane Hilary, is on track to hit Southern California with heavy rainfall this weekend after making its way up Mexico's Baja California peninsula. Forecasters are predicting that the storm will bring 3 to 6 inches of rainfall, with maximum amounts reaching up to 10 inches, across parts of Baja California through Sunday night, raising concerns about flash flooding. Greg Postel, a hurricane and storm specialist at the Weather Channel, warns that there will likely be damaging wind gusts, especially at higher elevations, and swells along the coast.

As of Thursday afternoon, Hurricane Hilary was located approximately 475 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, approaching "major hurricane" status, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm is currently moving west-northwest at 14 mph, but it is expected to turn toward the northwest on Friday morning, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest and north on Saturday.

The NHC stated that the center of the storm will approach the Baja California peninsula over the weekend, and although it is not expected to be a hurricane by the time it reaches California, it is likely to bring heavy rainfall to the southwestern United States starting from Friday through early next week, peaking on Sunday and Monday. "It is rare - indeed nearly unprecedented in the modern record - to have a tropical system like this move through Southern California," said Greg Postel.

The Weather Channel reports that the storm is also likely to trigger landslides and mudslides in areas that have recently been affected by wildfires. Additionally, storm surges are expected along parts of the southern Baja Peninsula and the Gulf of California coast.

The National Hurricane Center issued an advisory on Thursday morning, upgrading the storm to a hurricane. It is expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of California, including the Los Angeles Basin. The storm's remnants, which were located 560 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas at the time of the advisory, are forecasted to continue moving in a west-northwest direction, with a turn toward the northwest expected on Friday morning. The center of the hurricane is predicted to approach Mexico's Baja California Peninsula over the weekend, and rapid strengthening is anticipated, potentially reaching “major” hurricane status by Thursday night or early Friday.

Forecasters are projecting that the storm will produce three to six inches of rainfall, with maximum amounts of eight inches, across portions of the peninsula through Monday morning, increasing the risk of flash flooding. Tropical storm watches are already in effect for parts of Baja California, and additional watches and warnings are likely to be issued later on Thursday.

As Southern California braces itself for the impact of Hurricane Hilary, residents are advised to stay updated on the storm's progress and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.