MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tropical Storm Barbara has intensified off Mexico’s Pacific coastline and may reach hurricane status by Monday, according to forecasts.
As of late Sunday, Barbara was located approximately 235 miles (375 kilometers) west-southwest of the tourist destination Zihuatanejo in Guerrero, based on reports from the US National Hurricane Center in Miami. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 10 mph (17 kph).
The storm is expected to stay over the ocean; however, substantial rainfall could lead to local flooding and landslides along Mexico’s west coast. Regions in Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco could see around 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) of rain before Monday.
The conditions affecting parts of southern Mexico’s coast over the coming days are likely to produce life-threatening waves and rip currents, as warned by the Hurricane Center.
Additionally, another tropical storm named Cosme has developed southwest of Barbara’s location but poses no threat to land.
As of late Sunday, Cosme had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and could approach hurricane strength by Monday, according to US forecasters. It is moving northwest at 9 mph (15 kph) and is centered about 650 miles (1,045 kilometers) south of the southern tip of Baja California.
Source: apnews.com