Hurricane Priscilla Approaches Category 3 Strength
On Tuesday, Hurricane Priscilla grew closer to reaching Category 3 status in the Pacific Ocean, while a new tropical storm was gaining strength in the Atlantic, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Priscilla was positioned just off Mexico’s western coast, boasting maximum sustained winds of around 105 mph, and was tracking northwest at 9 mph.
By Tuesday night, it was located approximately 185 miles southwest of Baja California’s southern tip.
The outer bands of Priscilla were extending into Mexico’s Baja California Sur by Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Jerry maintained winds of 50 mph early Wednesday.
It was situated about 950 miles east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and was moving west-northwest at 23 mph. Forecasters indicated that Jerry could strengthen into a hurricane within a day or two.
Swells generated by Jerry were anticipated to reach the Leeward Islands on Thursday, with the storm’s core expected to be near or north of the Northern Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday.
In response to Priscilla, a Tropical Storm Watch had been issued in Baja California Sur, extending from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro.
The government of Baja California Sur has decided to cancel classes at all educational institutions starting Tuesday in Los Cabos and La Paz as a safety precaution.
Additionally, 12 shelters have been established in Los Cabos for residents in high-risk areas.
Forecasters warned that parts of southwestern Mexico might receive up to 4 inches of rain from Priscilla by Wednesday, which could lead to flash flooding risks in Michoacán and Colima states.
According to the Hurricane Center, Priscilla is likely to weaken starting Wednesday.
It’s worth noting that a major hurricane is classified as Category 3 or below, with wind speeds of at least 111 mph.
The swells from Priscilla were already affecting the Mexican coast, with forecasters cautioning about potentially dangerous surf and rip currents.
In other updates, Tropical Storm Octave was noted to be weakening, located about 750 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and moving east-southeast at that time.
