The National Water Commission, through its National Meteorological Service, has reported the formation of tropical depression Nine-E off the Mexican Pacific coast. In the forecast, it is expected that during the next 24 hours it will intensify until it becomes a tropical storm under the name of Howard, as well as very heavy rains in the west and south of the country.
The cyclone is located approximately 545 km south-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima, and 585 km south of Playa Pérula, Jalisco. With sustained winds of 55 km per hour and gusts of up to 75 km, the storm maintains a trajectory parallel to the Mexican coast heading northwest at a speed of 20 km per hour.
Due to the intensity of the rainfall, the authorities have urged the civilian population to take extreme precautions against the risk of landslides, increased levels of rivers and streams, overflows, and flooding in low-lying areas. The most affected states are Chiapas, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero and Oaxaca.
If it becomes Tropical Storm Howard, it will be the seventh cyclone of the season in the Pacific Ocean. Frank, Estelle, Darby, Celia, Blas, and Agatha were previously formed. The latter was the first in western Mexico and the most serious so far this year, as it was the only one that made landfall (on the coast of Oaxaca) and left at least nine people dead and others missing.
In mid-May, the Mexican authorities reported that they foresee the formation of up to 40 named cyclones by 2022, which they described as an “active season”, and they predicted that the total number of tropical cyclones generated, both in the Atlantic and in the Pacific, at least 5 will make landfall in Mexico.
Rains by region
Central Pacific: Partly cloudy sky in the morning with fog banks in mountainous areas. In the afternoon, cloudy skies with very strong rains in Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacán; all with lightning and possible hail, which could cause an increase in the levels of rivers and streams, landslides and floods in low-lying areas of the region.
Cool temperatures in the morning and hot in the afternoon. Variable direction wind from 10 to 25 km/h in the region, with gusts of 30 to 40 km/h in storm zones and gusts of 50 to 60 km/h with waves of 1.5 to 2.5 m high on the coast of Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco, including the coast of Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta could begin to feel the impacts of Tropical Storm Howard beginning late Sunday, however, there is no forecast for landfall in Mexico. As always, keep informed with the current forecasts and remember that heavy rains and flooding are the most dangerous part of a storm, landfall isn’t needed to become a risk to the population.
South Pacific: Partly cloudy sky in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon. Cool morning atmosphere, being mild in coastal areas. Fog banks at dawn in mountain areas of Oaxaca and Chiapas. In the afternoon, intense punctual rains in Chiapas and very strong in Guerrero and Oaxaca, all with electrical discharges that could generate an increase in the levels of rivers and streams, landslides and floods.
Warm evening atmosphere, being hot in coastal areas. East component wind from 15 to 30 km/h in the region, with gusts of 50 to 60 km/h in coastal areas, accompanied by waves of 1.5 to 2.5 meters high on the coast of Guerrero.
North Pacific: Partly cloudy sky in the morning and cloudy in the afternoon with very heavy punctual rains, electric shocks and possible hail in Sonora and Sinaloa, which could generate an increase in the levels of rivers and streams, landslides and floods.
Temperate atmosphere in the morning and hot in the afternoon, being very hot in the northwest of Sonora. Variable direction wind from 15 to 30 km/h in the region, with gusts of 50 to 60 km/h in coastal areas.
