Unusual Pacific Hurricane Activity Impacts Southern California in 2026
An active 2026 eastern Pacific hurricane season has brought high tides, coastal flooding and heavy rain to Southern California, with Tropical Storm Rachel prompting a rare tropical storm watch.
Southern California experienced an uncommon weather threat in October 2026 when National Hurricane Center forecasters issued a tropical storm watch for the region as Tropical Storm Rachel approached. The system produced high tides, coastal flooding and up to six inches of rain across the area between Oct. 9 and 11, affecting communities from San Diego to the desert Southwest and causing flooding in Las Vegas.
Rachel weakened to an extratropical cyclone before making landfall in Baja California, but its strong waves damaged oceanfront homes near Los Angeles and other coastal properties. The storm’s rainfall was double the typical October total for San Diego, prompting flash-flood warnings.
Historically, California has seen only a few direct tropical storm landfalls, such as the 1858 San Diego hurricane and a 1939 storm that struck Long Beach. The 2023 remnants of Hurricane Hilary also caused significant flooding. Researchers note that El Niño conditions, which warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific, increase the likelihood of storms reaching the California coast.
The National Hurricane Center highlighted that anomalously warm waters off Baja California contributed to Rachel’s ability to retain tropical characteristics as it moved northward. While most eastern Pacific storms primarily bring rain to the region, the 2026 season has also produced large swells that damaged ports and piers, including impacts from hurricanes Marie (2024 and 2026) and Narda (2025).