PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – As Hurricane Beatriz continues to advance, Mexico’s government has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning south of Zihuatanejo. However, the government has issued several warnings and watches, expecting the hurricane to affect several regions in the coming days.
Currently, a Hurricane Warning, which denotes the expected arrival of hurricane conditions within 36 hours, is in effect from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes. In addition, a Hurricane Watch has been issued for north of Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, indicating possible hurricane conditions within the next 24 to 36 hours.
Moreover, a Tropical Storm Warning is in place for north of Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, and a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect north of Punta Mita to San Blas, including Las Islas Marias. These tropical storm advisories mean that such conditions are expected or possible within the next 36 to 48 hours respectively.
The government urges those along the west-central coast of Mexico and in the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula to closely monitor the progress of this system. Further watches or warnings may be issued later today or on Saturday.
As of 4:00 PM CDT (2100 UTC), Hurricane Beatriz was located at latitude 17.8 North, longitude 103.1 West. It is moving northwestward at approximately 13 mph (20 km/h), and this trajectory, with a gradual decrease in speed, is expected to continue through Saturday night.
Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft data indicates that Beatriz currently has maximum sustained winds near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. The hurricane is anticipated to maintain its status over the next day if its center remains just offshore the southwestern Mexican coast. Weakening is expected from Saturday through Monday once Beatriz starts to move away from west-central Mexico.
Hurricane Beatriz carries significant risks, including hurricane conditions expected within the Hurricane Warning area through Saturday, potential heavy rainfall that could lead to localized flash flooding and mudslides, a dangerous storm surge expected to cause significant coastal flooding, and swells likely to result in life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Residents are urged to take necessary precautions, remain informed via the National Meteorological Service, and prioritize safety over all else during this potentially dangerous period.
