Poised to become the first Pacific hurricane of the 2024 season, Tropical Storm Carlotta has veered away from the Mexican coast but is still expected to bring rains to western coastal states, from Jalisco to Baja California Sur.
Tropical Storm Carlotta is growing stronger over the Pacific Ocean as it moves away from Mexico and could become a hurricane by Thursday night or Friday, forecasters said.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Thursday afternoon that Carlotta’s maximum sustained winds had grown to 65 mph (100 kph). The system was centered about 510 miles (820 kilometers) west of Manzanilla, Mexico, moving west-northwest at 12 mph (19 kph).
Swells generated by the storm will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions through the weekend along Mexico’s west-central mainland coast and the southern Baja California peninsula, the hurricane center warned.
In addition to heavy rains, “Carlotta” is generating winds with gusts of between 40 and 60 kilometers per hour, as well as waves of 1 to 2 meters high on the coasts of Baja California Sur. These phenomena can affect maritime navigation and increase the risk of dangerous conditions in coastal areas.
Authorities of the National Civil Protection System have asked the population to take extreme precautions due to heavy rains, strong winds and high waves. Residents of the affected states are advised to follow the recommendations issued by local authorities and stay informed about weather updates to ensure their safety.
Source: Baja News
