What Happened to Tropical Cyclones in California?
While direct hurricane landfalls are historically rare in California, the state has experienced significant impacts from tropical storms and their remnants, most notably Tropical Storm Hilary in August 2023, which caused widespread flooding and damage. With a changing climate and recurring El Niño conditions, California faces an evolving risk of increased precipitation and landslide events from tropical cyclone activity, leading to enhanced preparedness efforts and ongoing monitoring of Pacific storm systems up to the present day in 2026.
Quick Answer
California rarely experiences direct hurricane landfalls due to cold Pacific ocean temperatures, with the 1858 San Diego hurricane being the only known instance. However, tropical storms and their remnants, like Tropical Storm Hilary in August 2023, have brought significant and damaging rainfall and flooding to the state. As of September 2026, forecasters are monitoring tropical disturbances off Baja California, with a low but present chance of indirect impacts such as heavy surf and showers, while climate change studies project an increased risk of such events in the future.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
San Diego Hurricane Impacts California
The only known hurricane in recorded history to directly impact California, bringing hurricane-force winds near San Diego, though it did not make direct landfall in the state.
Tropical Storm Makes Landfall Near Long Beach
A tropical storm, known as El Cordonazo, made landfall near Long Beach with sustained winds of 50 mph, killing 45 people and marking the most recent tropical storm landfall in California until 2023.
Tropical Storm Kathleen Brings Record Rainfall
The remnants of Hurricane Kathleen produced 14.76 inches of rainfall on Mount San Gorgonio, the highest precipitation in the state related to an Atlantic or Pacific hurricane, causing at least nine fatalities.
Tropical Storm Nora Enters California
Tropical Storm Nora entered California after making landfall in Mexico, producing gale-force winds and heavy rainfall that led to four traffic deaths.
Remnants of Hurricane Kay Cause Flooding
The remnants of Hurricane Kay produced flooding and 100 mph wind gusts across Southern California, resulting in one fatality.
Hurricane Hilary Forms in Eastern Pacific
Hurricane Hilary originates from a tropical wave south of Mexico and rapidly intensifies into a major hurricane.
First-Ever Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Southern California
The National Hurricane Center issues its first-ever tropical storm warning for Southern California in anticipation of Hilary's approach.
Tropical Storm Hilary Impacts Southern California
Hilary makes landfall in Baja California as a tropical storm and moves into Southern California, bringing widespread heavy rain, flash flooding, and mudslides.
Hilary's Damage Estimated at Billions
AccuWeather provides a preliminary estimate of $7-9 billion in total damage and economic loss in the U.S. from Tropical Storm Hilary.
Tropical Storm Mario Triggers Floods in California
Tropical Storm Mario, part of an active Pacific hurricane season, triggers floods in California, leading to one fatality.
Study Links Climate Change to Increased Landslide Risk
New research published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change could significantly increase tropical cyclone precipitation and associated landslide risk in Southern California by 2050.
California Prepares for Strong El Niño
Western states, including California, and the federal government begin preparing for an unusually strong El Niño weather system expected to bring torrential rains and strong winds.
Tropical Disturbance Monitored Off Baja California
The National Hurricane Center reports a tropical disturbance (EP95) off southwestern Mexico with a 90% chance of developing into a tropical depression, with forecasters discussing potential indirect impacts on Southern California.
Ongoing Monitoring for Indirect Tropical Impacts
Forecasters continue to monitor the tropical disturbance, emphasizing a low probability of direct hurricane or tropical storm landfall in California, but acknowledging the possibility of indirect effects like heavy surf and showers over the Labor Day weekend.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
California's coastline, characterized by cooler ocean temperatures and prevailing steering currents, has historically been largely protected from direct hurricane landfalls. The most significant historical event was the 1858 San Diego hurricane, the only known tropical cyclone to directly impact California as a hurricane. However, the state is not immune to tropical storm activity, frequently experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds from weakening tropical storms or their remnants that track northward from the Eastern Pacific.
A pivotal event in recent history was Tropical Storm Hilary in August 2023. Hilary rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane off Mexico's Pacific coast before weakening and making landfall in Baja California as a tropical storm. It then moved into Southern California as a tropical storm or its remnants, prompting the National Hurricane Center to issue its first-ever tropical storm warning for Southern California. The storm delivered torrential rainfall, leading to widespread flash flooding, mudslides, and significant infrastructure damage across 13 counties, including record-breaking precipitation in areas like Death Valley and downtown Los Angeles. AccuWeather estimated the total damage and economic loss in the U.S. from Hilary to be between $7 billion and $9 billion, with privately insured losses around $600 million. One fatality in San Bernardino County was attributed to the floods.
Following Hilary, the 2025 Pacific hurricane season also saw activity impacting California. Tropical Storm Mario in September 2025 triggered floods in California, resulting in one fatality. These events have underscored California's vulnerability to tropical systems, particularly in a changing climate. Studies published in June 2026 indicate that climate change could make historically rare tropical storms produce significantly more precipitation in Southern California, increasing landslide risk, especially for lower-income communities near mountainous terrain. The probability of extreme rainfall events similar to Hilary could double with continued global warming.
As of September 1, 2026, California is actively monitoring tropical activity in the Eastern Pacific. Forecasts for the 2026 Pacific hurricane season predicted above-normal activity, partly due to strong El Niño conditions. Currently, a tropical disturbance (designated EP95) off the coast of Baja California is being closely watched, with a high chance of developing into a tropical depression. While meteorologists emphasize that a direct hurricane landfall in California is still considered to have a 'virtually nonexistent chance' due to cold coastal waters, and a tropical storm landfall is the 'least likely outcome,' the possibility of indirect impacts such as increased humidity, heavy surf, and showers remains. State and federal agencies, including Cal OES and FEMA, continue to promote hurricane and storm preparedness, emphasizing the importance of emergency plans and supply kits.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Tropical Cyclones in California made different choices?