Will Tropical Storm Alvin Hit California? Path, Forecast

Newsweek

3 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Tropical Storm Alvin is nearing Western Mexico, and although the storm won't hit California, it will impact the Golden State and other parts of the U.S. Southwest later this weekend and next week.
Why It Matters
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, two weeks earlier than the Central Pacific and Atlantic hurricane seasons, which start on June 1. Each hurricane season runs through November 30.
Tropical Storm Alvin formed on Thursday, becoming the first named storm of 2025. As of Friday morning, the storm has maximum sustained windspeeds of 50 mph. A tropical storm officially becomes a Category 1 hurricane when wind speeds reach 74 mph.
What to Know
The storm is expected to weaken as the weekend progresses, the most recent forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said. It is not expected to become a hurricane at time of writing.
The most recent forecast path for Tropical Storm Alvin from the National Hurricane Center.
The most recent forecast path for Tropical Storm Alvin from the National Hurricane Center.
National Hurricane Center
The biggest impacts will be heavy rain, life-threatening beach conditions such as rip currents, and wind in Mexico and Baja California, an AccuWeather report said.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Bob Larson told Newsweek that the storm will lose most of its wind intensity by the time impacts are expected in the U.S, but meteorologists do anticipate moisture from the storm to move into the Southwest.
Larson said the rain could resemble the monsoon season, which typically hits mid- to late summer, making the incoming moisture an earlier occurrence than is usual.
Thunderstorms could affect Arizona late Sunday and into Monday, and some gusty winds could contribute to blowing dust.
A map from AccuWeather shows that widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected in Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and far Southeast California.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said in a report: "Showers and thunderstorms will likely become more prolific over the interior western United States next week and could escalate to the point of triggering rapid and dangerous flooding problems when combined with high country snowmelt in parts of the Rockies."
An NHC public advisory about Tropical Storm Alvin: "Gradual weakening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Alvin is expected to degenerate to a remnant low on Saturday."
The advisory added: "Swells generated by Alvin will affect portions of the coasts of west-central and southwestern Mexico and the southern Baja California Peninsula during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office."
What Happens Next
The next NHC update about the storm will be issued later Friday afternoon. People in Baja California and Western Mexico are urged to follow local weather guidance as the storm draws nearer.