Hurricane Hilary created waves last week as it headed north from Mexico's west coast to Southern California. The tropical cyclone became a Category 4 hurricane Friday.
The NHC stated that tropical storm Hilary hit the northern Baja California Peninsula in Mexico on Sunday and moved into Southern California.
According to NOAA historical hurricane track data, Hurricane Nora in 1997 was the last hurricane to travel across Southern California as a tropical storm.
Warm ocean waters of at least 79 degrees Fahrenheit or 26 degrees Celsius fuel tropical cyclones.
NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information reports sea surface temperatures in the 50s and 60s off the central and southern Pacific Coast.
NOAA's Coral Reef Watch reported Baja and Southern California Coast weekend sea surface temperatures between 65 to 72 degrees, higher than usual.
Northeast trade winds move westward, away from US and Mexico coasts, therefore tropical cyclones rarely hit. Tropical systems facing the Pacific blow these winds.
Northeast trade winds move westward, away from US and Mexico coasts, therefore tropical cyclones rarely hit. Tropical systems facing the Pacific blow these winds.