Tropical Storm — Coachella Valley, California

2023-08-20 to 2023-08-21 · Coachella Valley, California

Event narrative

Tropical Storm Hilary produced widespread tropical storm-force winds across Southern California on August 20. The following are the top wind gusts reported across the Coachella Valley:

Palm Desert 1: 57 MPH (4:55 PM 08/20)

Palm Springs Tram (SCE361): 57 MPH (5:00 PM 08/20)

Cathedral Canyon: 56 MPH (5:52 PM 08/20)

Mecca: 56 MPH (4:56 PM 08/20)

Palm Springs Airport: 48 MPH (6:27 PM 08/20)

Palm Desert (SCE416): 46 MPH (4:20 PM 08/20)

Palm Springs (SCE638): 46 MPH (5:00 PM 08/20)

I-10 - West Of Date Palm Drive: 44 MPH (4:45 PM 08/20)

Palm Desert: 42 MPH (5:26 PM 08/20)

Indio: 41 MPH (6:15 PM 08/20)

Cathedral City (SCE855): 41 MPH (5:50 PM 08/20).

A large tree was downed in Palm Desert, blocking the eastbound lanes of Route 111, partially closing the road. Other trees were downed along Monterey Ave in Palm Desert. The awning on a Starbucks was downed in Palm Desert.

Wider weather episode

Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall across northern Baja California on August 20, and moved through Southern California that afternoon and evening. Torrential rainfall occurred across mountain and desert communities, resulting in catastrophic flash flooding and debris flows, damaged railways and bridges, and the closing of major interstates including I-8 in San Diego County and I-10 in Riverside County. Widespread tropical-storm force winds were recorded across much of Southern California.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1129874. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.