Home / Weather / California Braces for Tropical Storm Elida's Impacts
California Braces for Tropical Storm Elida's Impacts
18 Jul
Summary
- Tropical storm Elida is expected to become the eastern Pacific's first hurricane.
- Elida will bring muggy weather, striking sunsets, and big swells to California.
- El Niño is intensifying hurricane activity, with more storms predicted.
Tropical storm Elida is predicted to strengthen into the eastern Pacific Ocean's first hurricane of the year, with its path set to influence California's weather.
Forecasters anticipate Elida will weaken over cooler waters by the weekend. Despite this, the storm is expected to bring increased humidity, vivid sunsets, and substantial ocean swells to the California coast.
The current El Niño phenomenon is a key factor in this heightened hurricane activity. Meteorologists indicate that Elida will not be the last storm, predicting a "conga line" of tropical cyclones over the next few weeks.
Southern California may experience 4-to 5-foot swells starting Sunday and continuing through at least Tuesday, with south-facing beaches potentially seeing up to 8-foot waves.
The Climate Prediction Center forecasts an 81% chance of a "very strong" El Niño from October to December, further contributing to a busier hurricane season and a potentially wetter winter for California.
Forecasters are closely monitoring the eastern Pacific, especially with a marine heat wave also present. Historically, strong El Niño years correlate with increased tropical storm and hurricane activity in the region.
