Hurricane Rachel leaves forecasters stunned as it gains strength toward Pacific coast — what it means for California

Southern California is about to go from record-breaking heat to tropical storm misery , with the remnants of Hurricane Rachel barreling toward the region this weekend — bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, coastal flooding and potentially 15-foot waves. After baking in triple-digit temperatures for days, SoCal could get its first taste of the rainy season Sunday as Rachel gets ripped apart by a powerful low-pressure system off the California coast and sends a slug of tropical moisture north. “Please beware of sudden changes in our weather from extreme heat to tropical weather,” meteorologist Jason D. Farhang warned Wednesday . 6 “Please beware of sudden changes in our weather from extreme heat to tropical weather,” meteorologist Jason D. Farhang warned Wednesday. Credit: X Rachel is expected to weaken into a post-tropical system before reaching Southern California, meaning the biggest threat won’t be hurricane-force winds but rather heavy rain, thunderstorms and dangerous surf. Explore More Boy, 6, yells ‘f–k you bitch’ after shooting teacher in chest in disturbing bodycam video: ‘Don’t care if I go to jail’ Christa Pike’s first words after waking from botched execution revealed as lawyer lists her health issues Mamdani booed, berated by anti-Israel protesters waving Hamas flags at NYC Oct. 7 memorial “Rain and possible isolated strong-to-severe thunderstorms are going to be developing by Sunday late afternoon into Monday night,” Farhang said. 6 Flooding as Hurricane Marie makes landfall in Long Beach Sept. 6. Jon Putman/SOPA Images/Shutterstock And the coast could get especially nasty. “Large waves are going to crash along the coastal zones with wave heights of 10 to 12 feet, maybe even a rogue wave up to 15 feet along San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties all the way down to Ensenada, Mexico,” Farhang said. “Coastal flooding is very likely starting from Sunday at 11 a.m. to Wednesday at 6 p.m.,” he added. Meteorologist Ben Brissey said Rachel’s remnants are increasingly likely to impact Southern California and that means a potentially badly needed soaking. 6 Rachel is expected to weaken into a post-tropical system before reaching Southern California, meaning the biggest threat won’t be hurricane-force winds but rather heavy rain. Jon Putman/SOPA Images/Shutterstock 6 Rachel’s remnants are increasingly likely to impact Southern California and that means a potentially badly needed soaking. Jon Putman/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Showers could begin as early as Saturday night, followed by widespread rain and isolated thunderstorms Sunday, with the heaviest rainfall expected south and east of Los Angeles. Rainfall totals could reach a quarter-inch to half an inch across much of Southern California, with up to an inch possible along lower coastal slopes and mountains. Some weather models, however, are showing totals ranging from just a tenth of an inch to as much as 2 inches. Meteorologist Collin Gross said the storm is part of an unusually active week in the tropics, noting that Rachel will impact Southern California and Arizona as a post-tropical storm, while other systems threaten the Gulf Coast and Mexico. “Not very often you see several states in the Southwest US in a National Hurricane Center forecast cone,” Gross said . 6 Meteorologist Collin Gross said the storm is part of an unusually active week in the tropics. Jon Putman/SOPA Images/Shutterstock The National Weather Service is also warning beachgoers about the dangerous conditions, saying moderate to significant beach erosion is likely. “There is an increased risk of ocean drowning. Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks, and capsize small boats nearshore,” the agency said . 6 After baking in triple-digit temperatures for days, SoCal could get its first taste of the rainy season Sunday. Getty Images The stormy weekend will deliver a dramatic reversal from the brutal heat that has gripped the region. Downtown Los Angeles suffered four consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures this week — the longest such streak ever recorded — while nine daily maximum-temperature records were set across the region, including in LA, Oxnard, Long Beach and Santa Ana. Now, Brissey said, temperatures could plunge 5 to 10 degrees below normal Monday as the colder low-pressure system moves inland. Rachel’s remnants are then expected to push into Arizona and Nevada before moving toward Utah, with fairer and warmer weather eventually returning to Southern California next week. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News : Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , X , YouTube , WhatsApp , LinkedIn California Post Sports Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube , X California Post Opinion California Post Newsletters : Sign up here! California Post App : Download here! Home delivery : Sign up here! Page Six Hollywood : Sign up here!