Rosa expected to slam into northern Baja California

Rosa is expected to batter far northwestern Mexico with gusty winds and flooding rainfall on the first day of October.

Among the communities in the path of Rosa is Mexicali, the region’s capital, which normally receives about 7 mm (0.3 of an inch) of rainfall during the entire month of October. The city could be inundated with as much as three times this amount in just one day as Rosa impacts the area early next week.

Rosa, currently a Category 2 hurricane churning out in the eastern Pacific, is expected to turn northeastward and make landfall along Baja California’s Pacific Coast late Monday or Monday night.

Rosa may be a tropical storm at landfall as the cooler waters offshore of Mexico cause it to lose wind intensity. As the storm approaches the area this weekend, coastal conditions will remain hazardous for small craft and swimmers. Anyone vacationing in a coastal community should pay attention to local officials and avoid going in the water.

Rosa will further lose wind intensity as it moves inland and interacts with the region’s steep terrain.

Regardless, flooding rainfall will continue to be a threat as the system moves through northern Baja California and into the American Southwest.

Mountainous areas will be subject to flash flooding and mudslides, where over 100 mm (4 inches) of rainfall could fall Monday and Monday night. More significant travel disruptions can occur south of Ensenada to Rosarito. Poor visibility, standing water and washed-out roads could pose a threat to any motorists. Combined with gusty winds, this […]

Read the full story: Rosa to slam into northern Baja California, Mexico, to start October