Hurricane Hilary Threatens to Disrupt Travel in Mexico, Southwest US

UPDATE: Friday, August 18 at 9 a.m. ET

Hurricane Hilary has reached Category 4 strength with sustained winds approaching 145 mph as it moves toward Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.

The storm is expected to weaken but could still be a tropical storm when it arrives on U.S. soil, causing "significant and rare impacts" in Southern California and parts of the Southwest.

"Heavy rainfall in association with Hilary is expected to impact the Southwestern United States through next Wednesday, peaking on Sunday and Monday," according to the National Hurricane Center. Officials are warning of the substantial danger of flash flooding from San Diego to Las Vegas.

"Rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches, with isolated amounts of 10 inches, are expected across portions of Southern California and southern Nevada, which would lead to significant and rare impacts, it warned. "Elsewhere across portions of the Western United States, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected."

Airlines have already responded to the threat by waiving change fees and fare differences for travelers flying into, out or through Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this weekend.

Hurricane Hilary could impact travel plans along the Baja California peninsula and into the southwestern U.S. this weekend and into early next week.

The storm intensified into a Category 1 hurricane in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday morning, churning out maximum sustained winds of 85 mph roughly 550 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Hilary could reach Category 4 strength with sustained winds of 130 mph as early as Friday as it tracks north toward land. Officials are already warning of potential flash flooding in destinations along the storm's track, including Baja California, Baja California Sur and Southern California and into Nevada and western Arizona.

"Heavy rainfall from Hilary may produce flash floods and landslides over parts of Baja California through the weekend," the National Hurricane Center warned Thursday. "Rainfall impacts in the Southwest U.S. are expected to peak this weekend into Monday. Flash, urban, and arroyo flooding has the potential for significant local impacts." 

American Airlines has already issued a travel alert for flights into, out and through Los Cabos, waiving change fees for customers who booked their ticket by Wednesday, August 16, and are scheduled to travel this weekend, August 19-20, 2023, or can travel August 17-22, 2023. Travelers must book the changed itinerary by Sunday, August 20 and travel must be completed within a year of the original ticket date.

It's likely that other airlines will follow suit if the storm gets worse. As always, be sure to check your flight status with your airline before you arrive at the airport.

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