Despite the heat wave currently gripping California, San Diego County officials said Wednesday a hurricane off the coast of Mexico could bring high winds, potentially heavy rain and cooler temperatures to the county this weekend.
Forecasters said Hurricane Kay, currently forming off the Mexican coast, will not directly hit San Diego County, but could still bring high winds Thursday and potentially “significant” rains starting Friday — and finally break the heat wave.
“Hurricane Kay will move north while weakening. Kay’s closest approach to SoCal will be Friday night, some 150 miles to the southwest of San Diego while at tropical storm strength,” the National Weather Service said.
The weather service said flooding could be a threat, with 2 to 4 inches of rain in some locations. The county and Cal Fire will hand out sandbags at fire stations as a precaution.
A southeast swell from Kay is expected to bring surf of 4 to 6 feet, strong rip currents, and strong longshore currents to Southern California beaches Friday through Sunday.
Offshore Kay will bring strong easterly gales and chaotic, hazardous seas. The strongest winds and highest seas will be Friday afternoon through early Saturday.
“The prolonged heat wave will finally break this weekend as weakening tropical cyclone Kay stalls offshore,” according to the weather service. “Kay will bring showers and a chance of showers and thunderstorms late Friday into Saturday. Temperatures will remain near or slightly below normal next week.”
Updated at 7:55 a.m., Thursday, Sept. 9, 2022
City News Service contributed to this article.