000 WTPZ44 KNHC 210849 TCDEP4 Post-Tropical Cyclone Hilary Discussion Number 20 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL EP092023 200 AM PDT Mon Aug 21 2023 The circulation of Hilary has become quite diffuse tonight, making it difficult to track a coherent low-level center over the complex topography of southern California and Nevada. Satellite imagery indicates the storm has lost all tropical characteristics, as strong upper-level southerly winds have stripped away most of the associated shower activity well to the north. Hilary no longer satisfies the criteria of a tropical cyclone, and thus it has become post-tropical. Based on recent surface observations, the estimated maximum sustained winds are reduced to 30 kt for this advisory. Despite its post-tropical classification, the system is still expected to produce heavy rainfall, significant flooding, and gusty winds as it races northward across the western United States today. Users should refer to products issued by their local National Weather Service office for more specific information on these threats. The circulation of post-tropical Hilary has been significantly disrupted by land interaction, and the system is likely to dissipate later today. This is the last tropical cyclone discussion issued by the National Hurricane Center on post-tropical Hilary. Future information on this system can be found in discussions issued by the Weather Prediction Center beginning at 800 AM PDT, under AWIPS header TCDEP4, WMO header WTPZ44 KWNH, and on the web at www.hurricanes.gov. KEY MESSAGES: 1. Across the Southwestern United States, the ongoing and historic amount of rainfall is expected to cause life-threatening to locally catastrophic flash, urban, and arroyo flooding including landslides, mudslides, and debris flows today. Localized flooding impacts, some significant, are also expected across northern portions of the Intermountain West into Tuesday morning. 2. Strong and gusty winds are expected to persist across portions of the western United States today, particularly in and near areas of higher terrain. FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS INIT 21/0900Z 38.3N 117.9W 30 KT 35 MPH...POST-TROPICAL/INLAND 12H 21/1800Z 42.0N 117.4W 25 KT 30 MPH...POST-TROP/INLAND 24H 22/0600Z...DISSIPATED $$ Forecaster Reinhart