How Many Hurricanes Have Hit San Diego

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San Diego and Hurricanes: A Tale of Two Cities (That Aren't Really Two Cities)

Ah, San Diego. Land of sunshine, beaches, and... hurricanes? Not quite. While Florida and the Gulf Coast brace themselves each year for the tropical storm rodeo, San Diego chills out with a margarita (or two). But that doesn't mean hurricanes haven't tried their luck with America's Finest City. Buckle up, weather warriors, for a dive into San Diego's surprisingly uneventful hurricane history.

How Many Hurricanes Have Hit San Diego
How Many Hurricanes Have Hit San Diego

The Great San Diego Hurricane of 1858: A One-Hit Wonder

Hold the phone, you say. There was a hurricane in San Diego? Believe it or not, folks, there was indeed. Back in 1858, a feisty little hurricane (we're talking pre-steroid era here) decided to shake things up. It brought some roof-rattling winds and some less-than-enthusiastic greetings from palm trees (translation: they got knocked over). But compared to the hurricane throwdowns that happen elsewhere, this was a mere squall.

Why So Shy, Hurricanes?

So, what gives? Why do hurricanes give San Diego the cold shoulder? The answer lies in a cool dude called the California Current. This ocean current is basically a fridge for hurricanes, keeping the water temperatures way too low for them to maintain their tropical tantrums.

Think of it this way: Hurricanes are like hot sauce. They need things to be nice and spicy (warm water) to stay fired up. The California Current throws a bucket of ice water on that party, leaving hurricanes weak and whimpering by the time they get close to San Diego.

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Hurricane Watch: San Diego Edition (Spoiler Alert: It's Not Very Exciting)

Here's what hurricane preparedness looks like in San Diego:

  1. Stock up on sunscreen (because, let's face it, that's the real threat).
  2. Make sure you have enough pool floats. A hurricane might not hit, but a pool party is always a possibility.
  3. Practice your "bummer dude" voice in case you have to tell a friend from hurricane country that you don't need their storm supplies.

Seriously though, San Diego doesn't need to worry too much about hurricanes. But hey, it's always good to be prepared for anything, even if that "anything" is a rogue wave of tourists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Hurricane-Free San Diego Questions:

How to prepare for a hurricane in San Diego?

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See question 3 in the "Hurricane Watch: San Diego Edition" section.

How often do hurricanes hit San Diego?

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The last (and only) recorded hurricane to hit San Diego was in 1858. So, not very often.

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Should I move to San Diego to avoid hurricanes?

While hurricane risk is very low, San Diego might not be the answer for everyone. Maybe you prefer your weather with a side of excitement? (Just don't blame us if you get caught in a flash flood).

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What's the most common weather threat in San Diego?

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The existential dread of running out of tacos.

Is San Diego a good place to retire?

That depends on how much you enjoy sunshine and excellent weather. So, basically, yes.

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