Tropical Storm Rachel could affect northern Baja and Southern California
Rachel is now a tropical storm over the eastern Pacific. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, but the NHC says parts of northern Baja California and Southern California should monitor its weekend approach.
Check the operating airline and airport for your exact flight. Then read the newest NHC advisory. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect now, but a Tropical Storm Watch could be needed for part of northern Baja California, the northern Gulf of California, or Southern California as soon as tonight.
The National Hurricane Center listed Rachel as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds near 70 miles per hour at 15:00 UTC on October 8. Rachel was centered at 22.1 north and 124.2 west, about 915 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California, and moving west northwest near 7 miles per hour.
What the official advisory says
Advisory 46 said Rachel should continue west northwest for another day, then turn sharply toward the northeast and move faster on Saturday. The official public advisory forecast the center to approach northern Baja California late Saturday while Rachel is still at tropical storm strength.
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect at the morning update. The NHC asked people in extreme northern Baja California, the northern Gulf of California, and Southern California to monitor Rachel because a Tropical Storm Watch could be required for part of that region tonight.
The NHC forecast discussion said Rachel could bring tropical storm force winds and heavy rain to parts of northern Baja California and the Southwest United States this weekend. It also identified a flash and urban flooding threat. Swells were expected to build along the northern Baja California and Southern California coasts through the weekend, with dangerous surf and rip currents possible.
Travel checks for Baja California and Southern California
For Tijuana or Mexicali travel, check the newest advisory, the operating airline, and the airport before departure. This page does not report an airport closure.
For San Diego or Los Angeles travel, watch for a new NHC watch and check local official weather information. No broad airport closure is documented here.
The NHC advisory does not report airline operations. Confirm your exact flight directly with the operating carrier.
Use three separate checks
- Airline status. Confirm the exact flight number, departure time, waiver, delay, diversion, or cancellation directly with the operating carrier.
- Official storm advisory. Read the newest NHC update for the storm position, forecast track, warning area, rainfall, and surf.
- Passenger route outlook. If the flight is operating, use a fresh CheckFlightComfort report for airport weather and aviation signals near the estimated route. It is guidance, not the airline's operational plan.
What Tropical Storm Rachel does not tell you about turbulence
Rachel's maximum sustained wind describes surface wind near the hurricane. It does not predict the exact ride along the entire aircraft route. Conditions vary by location, altitude, timing, and the path selected by the airline and crew.
A route forecast can show storm or advisory signals near an estimated path, but it does not know the final dispatch route. The crew and airline receive operational information that a public passenger tool does not.
Before leaving for the airport
- Save the airline flight status page and enable carrier notifications.
- Read the newest NHC advisory, not a social media screenshot or an older map.
- Check airport access, road conditions, and hotel communication along the coast.
- Allow time for the airline to change a route or departure time as the forecast evolves.
- If the flight operates, create a fresh route outlook close to boarding and read the confidence label beside the score.
Frequently asked questions
Will Tropical Storm Rachel cancel my flight?
A tropical storm advisory does not confirm that a particular flight is canceled. Check the operating airline and the airport for your itinerary. This page does not report a cancellation or airport closure without an official operational notice.
Which airports should travelers monitor?
Travelers using Tijuana, Mexicali, San Diego, Los Angeles, or another airport near the forecast region should monitor the airline and airport for their itinerary. No airport closure or broad airline disruption is documented here.
Will Rachel stay offshore?
The National Hurricane Center forecast Rachel to turn northeast on Saturday and approach northern Baja California late Saturday at tropical storm strength. The timing and exact track can still change.
When should I check again?
Check the newest National Hurricane Center advisory today and again before leaving for the airport. A Tropical Storm Watch could be issued for part of the forecast region.
Primary official sources
- National Hurricane Center current storm inventory: current event identity, issue time, position, movement, intensity, and warning products for Rachel.
- National Hurricane Center Rachel advisory archive: the current and earlier official advisories for this event.
- Current NHC public advisory: position, intensity, movement, warning status, and land hazard status used in this review.
- Current NHC forecast discussion: forecast motion, weakening factors, and the official intensity outlook.
This is time limited editorial coverage, not a continuous safety alert. It will be updated when official facts change materially and withdrawn from current coverage when the event and documented travel effects have ended.