Tropical Storm Rachel Brings Flash Flood Threat to West Coast

Tropical Storm Rachel brings a genuine flood danger to the West Coast, packing months of typical rain into just a few hours through this weekend. The FOX Forecast Center warns that Southern California and the Southwest will face significant impacts from this event. This system is forecast to make landfall in Mexico late Saturday night, just south of the United States border. Heavy rain from Rachel's post-tropical remnants will quickly spread across southern California and into southern Nevada, including Las Vegas, by Sunday. The area of greatest concern for flooding stretches from Riverside County in southeast California into northwest Arizona, then through southern Nevada and into the slot canyon regions of southwest Utah. A Level 3 out of 4 flash flood threat is currently in effect for these specific areas on Sunday.

Photos captured across Southern California show flooding that began Friday night. Water pooled dangerously across roads and beaches while rough surf slammed directly into beachfront homes. According to the FOX Forecast Center, more than two months of rain could fall in these desert locations. Rain totals might reach up to 2 inches in lower elevations and as much as 5 inches at higher ground. San Diego is expected to see up to an inch of precipitation. A Tropical Storm Watch covers the city for the second time in its history, with the previous warning occurring during Hurricane Hilary back in August 2023. Las Vegas and Salt Lake City could also see up to 2 inches of rain as the system moves further inland.

Wind remains a major concern alongside the heavy rain and flooding risks across Southern California, western Arizona, and southern Nevada. Winds from Rachel pushed waters onto the coast at Newport Beach Friday afternoon. Wind gusts upwards of 40 mph are possible in San Diego and nearby areas. In the mountains and desert regions, gusts could reach as high as 60 mph. Wind Advisories and High Wind Watches are issued across California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah through Monday. Moisture from this system will also travel north to Montana, helping fuel a fall snowstorm across that state and northern Wyoming. Between 6 inches and a foot of snow is forecast in the higher elevations during what will be the first significant snowstorm across the Lower 48 this fall. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in place across western Montana through Monday morning. FOX Weather will continue to bring you the latest forecast and impacts as Rachel makes landfall and its remnants move into the Southwest.