San Diego and Baja California are expected this weekend to be impacted by rainbands from Tropical Storm Rachel, the latest in an usually busy hurricane season for the Pacific. The storm’s path, as of Thursday, was expected to weaken as it turns toward Northern Baja California and make landfall late Saturday, NOAA Hurricane Center models show, but its effects are likely to be felt across the southern and baja California regions. On Thursday afternoon, the storm was churning nearly 1,000 miles from the southern tip of Baja with sustained winds of 65 miles per hour. I When the storm arrived and how much rain it brings is dependent on which path the storm takes, NBC 7 Meteorologist Greg Bledsoe said. Early projections show it’s possible Baja California could receive anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of rain from the storm while San Diego could see some showers late Saturday through Tuesday. More likely for San Diego, the storm will bring gusty winds, cloud cover, high surf and possible coastal flooding. A coastal flood advisory is in effect through Tuesday for the combination of higher-than-average tides and potential flooding for low-lying coastal areas. Waves up to 7 feet are possible on south-facing beaches. “A secondary low-pressure system will move through Monday, keeping rain chances in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday as well,” Bledsoe said. The Pacific has seen an unusually high number of hurricanes this season, which experts have attributed to El Niño, which has fueled crippling droughts in Mexico and Central America and floods in other parts of the region. In the Pacific, it has resulted in warmer waters and wind patterns that act as fodder for hurricanes.  This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser. ...read more read less