Earthquake M 5.1 Hit Southern California While Tropical Storm Hilary Arrives

Sunday, August 20, 2023

For the past week, a lot of attention has been about Major Hurricane Hilary reaching Southern California as a Tropical Storm today. This was the first time a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for California. What is ironically more common are earthquakes and one hit at the same time.

You can’t make this stuff up!!!

Earthquake Map

Closer View From USGS

The US Geological Survey has recorded a Magnitude 5.1 Earthquake in Ojai, CA. This is about 80 miles Northwest of Los Angeles and in the area under a Tropical Storm Warning.

Time was 2:41 PDT

More Information

This was at a depth of 3 miles

No Tsunami Warning Was Issued

Live On TV

Local Station KABC was broadcasting Live for the storm when the earthquake hit. See the anchor’s reaction as it happened:

The moment the #earthquake interrupted @ABC7 Los Angeles’ coverage of #Hilary. pic.twitter.com/IBVDCx7XHN

— Nick Stewart (@NStewWX) August 20, 2023

AFTERSHOCKS

There have been 14 aftershocks in the 3 hours that followed the initial quake. Most have ranged between M 2.5 and M 3.9.

Tropical Storm Hilary

At 2 PM PDT, The National Hurricane Center reported:

Tropical Storm Hilary was located to the South Southeast of San Diego, CA. Winds were 65 mph, and it was racing to the North at 23 mph.

• Tropical Storm Winds extended 230 miles from the center.
• Forecast Rainfall: Between 2 to 6 inches, up to 10 across some mountain areas.
• In addition to flooding rain, mudslides, and even tornadoes are expected… especially east of the storm center.
• The track has it passing over Palm Springs, east of Los Angeles and Ojai.

Live Radar Widget

IR Satellite Loop

Live Wind Widget

Latest Rainfall Forecast

National Blend Of Models

Flood Guidance

From the NOAA National Center For Environmental Prediction

Wind Gust Forecast From NWS

Large Pattern

The United States weather has been governed by a Large Dome of High Pressure in the middle of the country. This is helping to steer Hilary AND keep the Eastern US cool and pleasant.

The moisture seen here is expected to move up and around the ridge. It will lose some along the way, but could wrap around and reach the Eastern US mid week.

Jet Stream Animation

Sunday Morning To Wednesday Morning

Follow the plume of ‘green’ from Southern California around the ridge to the Eastern US.

Jet Stream Animation

West Coast: Sunday Morning To Monday Night

Jet Stream Animation

East Coast: Monday Morning To Wednesday

This may look impressive, but it may end up just being more clouds than anything else for us… while cooling our temps down.

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RESTATING MY MESSAGE ABOUT DYSLEXIA

I am aware there are some spelling and grammar typos and occasional other glitches. I take responsibility for my mistakes, and even the computer glitches I may miss. I have made a few public statements over the years, but if you are new here you may have missed it: I have dyslexia, and found out during my second year at Cornell University. It didn’t stop me from getting my meteorology degree and being the first to get the AMS CBM in the Baltimore/Washington region. One of my professors told me that I had made it that far without knowing, and to not let it be a crutch going forward. That was Mark Wysocki and he was absolutely correct! I do miss my mistakes in my own proofreading. The autocorrect spell check on my computer sometimes does an injustice to make it worse. I also can make mistakes in forecasting. No one is perfect at predicting the future. All of the maps and information are accurate. The ‘wordy’ stuff can get sticky.  There has been no editor that can check my work when I needed it and have it ready to send out in a newsworthy timeline. Barbara Werner is a member of the web team that helps me maintain this site. She has taken it upon herself to edit typos when she is available. That could be AFTER you read this. I accept this and perhaps proves what you read is really from me… It’s part of my charm.

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