India, Oct. 9 -- Tropical Storm Rachel is moving toward Southern California, bringing the threat of rain, strong winds, flooding and dangerous waves. The storm is expected to approach the region this weekend, with parts of California and Baja California under Tropical Storm Watches.

Rachel is now a tropical storm. As per the National Hurricane Center, at 8am PDT on Friday its center was about 820 miles southwest of San Diego. Its maximum sustained winds are 50 mph, and it is moving northeast at 5 mph.

The NHC expects Rachel to pick up speed over the next couple of days, with its center likely to approach northern Baja California or Southern California late Saturday or early Sunday. Some strengthening is possible before the storm weakens...