Weather Update: Hurricane Downgraded and New Storm Strengthens
On Thursday morning, meteorologists announced that Priscilla, which had affected the western coast of Mexico, is no longer a hurricane and has been downgraded to a tropical storm. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Jerry has gained strength in the Atlantic and is moving towards the Leeward Islands.
Initially, Priscilla was nearing hurricane status on Tuesday but weakened a day later.
As of early Thursday, the tropical storm was located roughly 440 miles west of Baja California’s southern tip, traveling northwest at 8 mph, with sustained winds of about 50 mph, per the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Priscilla is bringing high waves and strong winds to parts of Baja California Sur, where a tropical storm watch is in effect extending from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro.
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding could be on the horizon as the storm continues along Mexico’s Pacific coast and into the southwestern U.S. over the weekend, forecasters warned.
In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Jerry is about 695 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, moving west-northwest at a speed of 20 mph. Its maximum sustained winds are currently around 100 km/h. There is an expectation that Jerry will strengthen gradually, potentially developing into a hurricane by the weekend.
Rainfall estimates suggest that between 2 to 4 inches could fall across the Leeward Islands from Thursday until early Friday, increasing the risk of flash flooding.
Additionally, tropical cyclone watches have been issued for areas including Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, St. Barts, St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe, and nearby islands.
Over in the Pacific, Octave had weakened by Wednesday night but remains categorized as a tropical depression as of Thursday morning. Fortunately, this storm does not pose a threat to land and is expected to dissipate soon.
Currently, Octave is located about 430 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, moving east-northeast at 18 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, according to the latest reports.
