JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — “Talking the Tropics With Mike” - latest updates * here *.
Hurricane Hilary hit the Baja of California hard then moved into California as a tropical storm dumping flooding rain & causing as much as 7-9 billion dollars worth of damage (early estimates). Realize while rare, there have been other tropical systems that have moved into California including “Kathleen” in 1976 & a tropical storm in 1939. Both years - like this year - were El Nino (warming of the equatorial Pacific) years. Much more common is tropical moisture pushing northward into the Southwest U.S. from more distant tropical systems over the E. Pacific late in the summer into early autumn. Some desert locations had their annual rainfall in less than 48 hours as Hilary raced northward.
Southern California rainfall from Hilary centered on Los Angeles:
Far Southern California rainfall centered on San Diego:
Hilary set new max state rainfall records by a tropical cyclone for Nevada (9.20″), Idaho (3.00″) & Montana(!) (2.30″)
Hilary impacts California This satellite image taken on Friday shows Hurricane Hilary spinning off the coast of Mexico. (NOAA)
Hilary impacts California: People stand on a pier over the Pacific Ocean with Tropical Storm Hilary approaching in San Diego County on Sunday. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: A person and dog wear raincoats as they stand near the Pacific Ocean in Imperial Beach, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: People walk in the rain along the Pacific Ocean with Tropical Storm Hilary approaching San Diego County on Sunday. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: A waves breaks on the Pacific Ocean with Tropical Storm Hilary approaching Southern California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: Volunteers and members of the Long Beach Fire Department fill sandbags at Belmont Shore Beach on Sunday as Tropical Storm approaches. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: People stand on a sand berm at Belmont Shore Beach in Long Beach, California, as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: Surfers prepare to go in the water at Belmont Shore Beach on Sunday. The surf was rising as Tropical Storm Hilary headed toward Southern California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: People in Long Beach fill sandbags as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches California on Sunday. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: People stand on a sand berm at Belmont Shore Beach as tropical storm Hilary approaches Southern California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, California, was closed where it crosses a usually dry wash section of the Whitewater River as Tropical Storm Hilary moved closer to the area on Sunday. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: Waves crash against the US-Mexico border fence at Tijuana Beach ahead of Tropical Storm Hilary's landfall. (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Hillary impacts California: Vehicles drive along a flooded street in Palm Springs, California, as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches the area. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: First responders keep watch near a vehicle that flipped over during rainfall from approaching Tropical Storm Hilary near Palm Springs, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: An ambulance drives through a flooded street in Palm Springs as Tropical Storm Hilary approaches. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: Workers set up a sign near a flooded intersection in San Bernardino as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on Sunday. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: A broken tree limb partially blocks a road as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through Cathedral City, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California: A car is partially submerged in floodwaters as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through Cathedral City, California, on Sunday. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 20: A vehicle drives through a flooded street as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on August 20, 2023 in Cathedral City, California. Southern California is under a first-ever tropical storm warning as Hilary impacts parts of California, Arizona and Nevada. All California state beaches have been closed in San Diego and Orange counties in preparation for the impacts from the storm which was downgraded from hurricane status. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 20: A car is partially submerged in floodwaters as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on August 20, 2023 in Cathedral City, California. Southern California is under a first-ever tropical storm warning as Hilary impacts parts of California, Arizona and Nevada. All California state beaches have been closed in San Diego and Orange counties in preparation for the impacts from the storm which was downgraded from hurricane status. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California CATHEDRAL CITY, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 20: A vehicle drives through a flooded street as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on August 20, 2023 in Cathedral City, California. Southern California is under a first-ever tropical storm warning as Hilary impacts parts of California, Arizona and Nevada. All California state beaches have been closed in San Diego and Orange counties in preparation for the impacts from the storm which was downgraded from hurricane status. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Hilary impacts California SUN VALLEY, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 20: A tow truck driver attempts to pull a stranded car out of floodwaters on the Golden State Freeway as tropical storm Hilary moves through the area on August 20, 2023 in Sun Valley, California. Southern California is under a first-ever tropical storm warning as Hilary impacts parts of California, Arizona and Nevada. All California state beaches have been closed in San Diego and Orange counties in preparation for the impacts from the storm which was downgraded from hurricane status. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Tropical Weather A pedestrian tends to a broken umbrella as she walks through wind and rain on Hollywood Boulevard during Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello)
Tropical Weather A briefing with city officials is given during an emergency meeting with Tijuana city officials for Tropical Storm Hilary at Tijuana Police Headquarters on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Tijuana, Baja California. (Ana Ramirez/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP) (Ana Ramirez/AP)
Tropical Weather A fire truck pulls away after a motorist became stranded in rising floodwaters caused by torrential rain brought by Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Palm Desert, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
Tropical Weather Pedestrians fight strong winds and rain on Hollywood Boulevard during Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello/AP)
Tropical Weather Homeless people carry a plastic tarp to shield themselves from a light rain brought by Tropical Storm Hilary in downtown San Diego, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
Tropical Weather A pedestrian shields himself from strong winds and rain on Hollywood Boulevard during Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello/AP)
Tropical Weather Vehicles make their way through a flooded road in Zona Rio as Tropical Storm Hilary hits the region on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Tijuana, Baja California. (Alejandro Tamayo/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP) (Alejandro Tamayo/AP)
Tropical Weather Dark clouds form over downtown San Diego as Tropical Storm Hilary passes through the area on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP) (K.C. Alfred/AP)
Tropical Weather Pedestrians fight wind and rain as they cross Hollywood Boulevard during Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello/AP)
Tropical Weather Reagan King battles the wind while out with her parents at Imperial Beach after the eye of Tropical Storm Hilary passed on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in San Diego. The Imperial Beach Pier was closed to the public. (K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP) (K.C. Alfred/AP)
Tropical Weather Pedestrians with umbrellas shield themselves from wind and rain on Hollywood Boulevard during Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello/AP)
Tropical Weather Cars maneuver around a plow clearing debris along a flooded Sierra Highway in Palmdale, Calif., as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) (Richard Vogel/AP)
Tropical Weather An elderly woman crosses a street flooded by torrential rain brought by Tropical Storm Hilary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Thousand Palms, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
Tropical Weather A plow clears debris along a flooded Sierra Highway in Palmdale, Calif., as Tropical Storm Hilary moves through the area on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel) (Richard Vogel/AP)
Tropical Weather A motorist walks out to remove belongings from his vehicle after becoming stuck in a flooded street, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Palm Desert, Calif. Forecasters said Tropical Storm Hilary was the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, bringing the potential for flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds and power outages. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
Tropical Weather Vehicles cross over a flood control basin that has almost reached the street, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, in Palm Desert, Calif. Forecasters said Tropical Storm Hilary was the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, bringing the potential for flash floods, mudslides, isolated tornadoes, high winds and power outages. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
Tropical Weather Tijuana, Baja California - August 20: Miguel Ramirez lays a tarp over a home in preparation for Tropical Storm Hilary at Colonia Nueva Esperanza Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023 in Tijuana, Baja, California. (Ana Ramirez/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP) (Ana Ramirez)
It’s felt like a very warm year & hot summer & the numbers back that up. Since the official Jacksonville thermometer has been located at JIA in 1956, the year through Aug. 21st is the warmest on record - avg. is 69.6 degrees F... & the summer so far (June/July/Aug.) has been the 2nd hottest on record - avg. is 81.4 degrees F.
But fall is just around the corner as daylight is decreasing. As of Thu., Aug. 24, sunset will be before 8pm while sunrise will be after 7am: