PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – The National Meteorological Service has issued an alarming forecast concerning Hurricane Lidia, which is expected to make landfall as a tropical storm at midnight this Tuesday in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The cyclone had earlier escalated to a Category Two hurricane before weakening to its current status as a Category One storm.
As of noon today, Hurricane Lidia’s maximum winds were recorded at 165 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching up to 205 kilometers per hour. The storm is presently located at a distance of 190 kilometers west-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco.
The system is located 475 kilometers south of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, and at an identical distance west-southwest of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Lidia is moving in an east-northeast direction (70°) at a speed of 19 km/h, boasting sustained winds of 140 km/h and gusts of 165 km/h.
Multiple prevention and surveillance zones have been instituted in anticipation of Lidia’s effects. These zones range from Pérula Beach, Jalisco, to Escuinapa, Sinaloa, including the Marías Islands in Nayarit. Additional areas under surveillance include Manzanillo, Colima, to Pérula Beach, Jalisco, and from Escuinapa to Mazatlán, Sinaloa.
The storm is expected to usher in torrential rains, particularly affecting the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacán. Intense downpours are also projected for Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Durango, with very heavy rains likely to occur in Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, and Guanajuato. Chihuahua is also forecasted to experience heavy rainfall.
Moreover, coastal regions in Nayarit and Jalisco are bracing for winds with gusts ranging from 120 to 150 km/h and waves surging from 5 to 7 meters. Sinaloa’s coasts are expected to witness winds of 100 to 120 km/h and waves of 3 to 5 meters, while Baja California Sur, Colima, and Michoacán should prepare for winds with gusts of 80 to 100 km/h and waves between 2 to 4 meters high.
Urgent Advisory
The authorities have urged the general population residing in or near the affected states to exercise extreme caution concerning rain, wind, and waves, including maritime activities. Residents are strongly advised to adhere to recommendations set forth by the National Civil Protection System in each respective state.
As the clock ticks toward its landfall, the full impact of Hurricane Lidia remains uncertain. However, what is certain is that preparedness and caution can mitigate the risks posed by this formidable natural phenomenon.
