Weather experts are keeping an eye on two developing hurricanes to determine whether they will generate significant surf for San Diego County, an area that experienced considerable coastal erosion from previous tropical systems this summer.
Tropical Storm Odalys was tracking north-northwest late Sunday afternoon and is predicted to turn northeast on Monday, at which point it will strengthen into a hurricane, as reported by the National Hurricane Center.
Typically, such storms tend to veer westward and dissipate over the ocean. However, some systems initially move north-northwest, directing waves and moisture towards Southern California. It appears that Odalys will steer even more directly north.
Forecasters are curious to see if Odalys will mirror the effects of El Niño-boosted Hurricane Marie, which generated large waves that caused significant coastal erosion in the Carlsbad region and parts of Orange and Los Angeles counties in early September.
Marie also brought on a challenging heat wave that impacted the entirety of Southern California.
In addition, the National Weather Service is monitoring tropical depression Seventeen-E, situated further south. Experts predict this system could develop into a major hurricane this week, possibly leading to heavy rainfall in certain areas of Mexico. However, the agency stated on Sunday that it is still too early to ascertain whether this system will follow a similar trajectory as Odalys.
