Hurricane Rachel could impact San Diego as its track shifts north

Hurricane Rachel has taken a sharp turn toward Southern California and forecasters say it could arrive early Sunday as a weaker post-tropical storm.

Current forecasts show it will land about 100 miles south of San Diego, but the trajectory could extend as far north as Orange County.

People in Southern California and desert communities should start watching for updates, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service says a major weather system coming from the northwest will knock Rachel off course.

“This will cause Rachel to slow down, then turn and accelerate toward Baja California and Southern California,” the agency said in its latest advisory.

The storm is expected to lose strength along the way. Forecasters say colder ocean water and dry air are expected to gradually weaken it before it arrives.

The NWS added that the forecast could change a lot in the coming days, so the exact location and timing of landfall is still uncertain.

The agency issued a beach hazard statement and coastal flooding advisory for San Diego County Wednesday morning. Waves are expected to average 3 to 5 feet, with waves reaching up to 6 feet.

San Diego lifeguards have increased their staffing levels and are on alert due to dangerous waves and powerful rip currents triggered by Hurricane Rachel, CBS News reports.

While the storm itself is hundreds of miles offshore, its long-lasting swells are creating dangerous coastal conditions that coincide with an intense regional heatwave.

“Flooding of beach parking lots, boardwalks and roads, with only isolated road closures expected. Minor coastal erosion is also expected. Additionally, high waves will result in strong rip currents,” the advisory said.

Hurricane Polo devastated Mexico and Southern California last month. Dramatic videos circulating on social media showed the impact in Acapulco, where huge waves hit the coastline as strong winds blew across the beachfront.

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