Forecasters are closely monitoring a disturbance in the Pacific that has the potential to develop into Tropical Storm Hilary and bring heavy rain to Southern California. The system is currently offshore of Central America and is projected to move north, parallel to the Mexican coast.

While the exact track of the storm is uncertain, there is a fair chance that some version of the system could impact Southern California, even if it's just fringe moisture. Models indicate that moisture from the storm could make its way into the Desert Southwest by Sunday, with all of Southern California and Southern Nevada potentially experiencing heavy rainfall.

If Hilary does reach Southern California, areas such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and the mountains east of Los Angeles and San Diego could see 2-3 inches of rainfall in a short amount of time. This could lead to flash flooding, which is a significant concern given the region's susceptibility to such events.

Forecasters are urging residents in the affected areas to stay aware of the forecasts for the beginning of next week. While it's too early to know exactly what will happen, the mix of tropical air and the mountainous terrain in Southern California can produce significant and dangerous flash flooding.