California is taking a beating from an unusually destructive 2026 Pacific hurricane season

Key Points:

• In 2026, California experienced one of the most active eastern Pacific hurricane seasons, with Tropical Storm Rachel prompting a rare tropical storm watch for Southern California, the second ever after Hurricane Hilary in 2023.
• Tropical Storm Rachel weakened before landfall in Baja California but still caused high waves, coastal flooding, and heavy rain from San Diego to the desert Southwest, including flash flooding in Las Vegas.
• Historically, Southern California has seen few direct tropical storm hits, with notable events including the 1858 San Diego Hurricane and a 1939 tropical storm that struck Long Beach, causing significant damage.
• The El Niño climate pattern increases the likelihood of tropical storms approaching Southern California by warming eastern Pacific waters, which can help storms maintain strength near the coast despite typically cooler local sea temperatures.
• The main threat from these storms in California is heavy rainfall, which can cause flash flooding in the usually arid region, as seen with Rachel’s rainfall exceeding typical October precipitation in areas like San Diego.