Eye-popping satellite photo shows Tropical Storm Kay over Southern California
This graphic shows Tropical Storm Kay over Southern California. Click for larger version.
A major thunderstorm and a large convective system developed over the southern California coast early Saturday morning, and by early afternoon, they had produced a strong, rapidly intensifying low-pressure area. The National Weather Service’s radar said the storm was showing sustained winds of 40 to 60 mph, with a few miles per hour. By nightfall, the storm had strengthened to a category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 mph. By 9 a.m. PDT, the storm had become a hurricane with winds of 85 mph.
Then, at 6 p.m., the storm had reached a slightly weakening category 3 status, then a category 2 during the night as it moved over the Bay Area. The National Hurricane Center said the storm was moving west-northwest at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kilometers per hour). It was predicted to reach its peak with 1,200-1,400 miles per hour winds on Saturday night through Sunday morning, then weaken back down to a category 2 storm. (See Hurricane forecast for California)
Kay is not the only storm to have tracked along this path (see also: Hurricane Patricia, Tropical Storm Irma and Cyclone Sandy) as it makes a westbound trip down the Pacific coast. Tropical Storm Michael has also formed over the open waters of the central Pacific, and is making a westward run toward the coast of Mexico.
Kay was forecast to head northward on Saturday night and Sunday. Forecasters said it could bring heavy rainfall and flooding to coastal parts of California.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for most of Orange County and Los Angeles County for next Tuesday, May 18.
We will update this page as more information becomes available.
A major thunderstorm and a large convective system developed over the southern California coast early Saturday morning, and by early afternoon, they had produced a strong, rapidly intensifying low-pressure area. The National Weather Service’s radar said the storm was showing sustained winds of 40 to 60 mph, with a few miles per hour. By nightfall, the storm had strengthened to a category 1 hurricane with winds of 75 mph.
