Hurricane Willa Forms in Eastern Pacific Ocean and Will Bring Tropical Rain, Vicente into Mexico
The eastern Pacific Ocean is active with both Tropical Storm Vicente and newly strengthened Hurricane Willa churning south of Mexico.
Harrisburg: Vicente, and Willa, which became a major hurricane on Sunday, will combine to bring a one-two tropical punch to southwestern and western Mexico this week.
The eastern Pacific Ocean is active with both Tropical Storm Vicente and newly strengthened Hurricane
Willa churning south of Mexico. Even more strengthening is expected from Willa in the coming days. While some strengthening is expected from Vicente, the environment will limit the ability for the storm to strengthen too much.
Willa is likely to remain much stronger than Vicente, which will disrupt Vicente enough to keep it from reaching hurricane status. No matter the strength, both storms are expected to continue bringing dangerous seas through early this week. Such hazards are expected to develop in Acapulco, Zihuatanejo and Manzanillo. Downpours began to graze southern Mexican coastlines on Saturday night. Downpours continued into yesterday could trigger both localised flash flooding and mudslides.
Threats to lives and property are expected to ramp up across southwestern and western Mexico as both Vicente and Willa converge on
the region. Regions of Mexico at risk
“The strong winds around Willa will essentially absorb Vicente, pulling the moisture into southwestern Mexico by Monday night.
Willa will make landfall shortly after, but farther north,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis.
The regions of Mexico most at risk would be those near Willa’s landfall. Willa is expected to make landfall on Tuesday night or Wednesday in Nayarit or southern Sinaloa. As Willa approaches the coast and begins to interact with the mountainous terrain of western Mexico, slight weakening is expected. However, Willa could make landfall as a potent Category 1 or Category 2 hurricane, with winds up to 130 km/h (81 mph). Onshore winds will also be strong enough to direct the ocean water, bringing the risk of storm surge to those on the southern edge of the hurricane’s eye.
“The more widespread impact will be tropical rainfall, which can lead to flooding and mudslides, even away from the coast,” said Mr Travis.
This one-two tropical punch is expected to bring a widespread threat of flooding rain and mudslides across western and southwestern Mexico. Residents of these states were urged to review hurricane preparation tips and begin stocking up on nonperishable food, water, medicines and supplies needed to protect property from damage. Anyone living in areas prone to flooding rain, mudslides or storm surge flooding in southwestern or western Mexico should review evacuation routes and be ready to leave if ordered by local officials.
Willa has the potential to leave a portion of these areas without power after landfall.