Mexican storms coming thick and fast

The Pacific hurricane season is only 11 days old and the third storm is already developing.

Hurricane Blanca
The Pacific hurricane season's third storm is expected just days after Tropical Storm Blanca crossed Mexico’s coast [AP]

Just a few days ago, Tropical Storm Blanca was making its way across Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. No sooner had it moved into the central plains of the United States, the season’s third storm was moving in from the Pacific.

Tropical depression 03E, as it is currently known, was located around 440km to the south of Acapulco with sustained winds of 65km/h and gusts nearer 85km/h on Thursday morning local time.

It was strengthening as it edged its way towards the southwestern Mexican coast and is expected to become known Tropical Storm Carlos later on Thursday.

The system is moving northwest at around 17km/h, and will feed increasingly stormy weather towards the coast. It is forecast to become a hurricane by Friday.

Rain is likely to provide the greatest threat, particularly along Mexico’s southernmost coast.

The states of Oaxaca and Guerrero are most at risk and there is the potential for life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, along with heavy seas and large surf.

Some parts could see 150mm to 200mm of rain and accumulations could approach 500mm in the mountains throughout the weekend.

As yet, there are no warnings in force, but the US’ National Hurricane Center advises that “interests along the southern coast of Mexico should monitor this system”.

Source: Al Jazeera