Tropical Storm Marie is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane on Wednesday, with the potential to bring hurricane-force winds and dangerous surf conditions to Southern California over the Labor Day weekend. The storm is currently tracking along the coast of Mexico and is expected to reach the Baja California Peninsula before potentially turning toward the U.S. West Coast.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center predict Marie will remain a hurricane through Sunday, September 6. While a Pacific cyclone has never made landfall in California at hurricane strength, weather models indicate a significant possibility that Marie could directly impact areas such as Los Angeles or San Diego. The last tropical storm to make landfall in California was Nora in September 1997.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings for beachgoers in Los Angeles, advising of a high risk for large waves and dangerous rip currents throughout the holiday weekend. Coastal flooding is also anticipated along south-facing beaches and shorelines.
Both the American GFS and European EPS forecasting models have predicted multiple tracks that could bring Marie toward Southern California. Officials are advising caution for those visiting coastal areas.
Marie is expected to reach hurricane status with sustained winds exceeding 75 mph. The storm's trajectory poses a rare threat to a region unaccustomed to such powerful Pacific weather systems.