Two tropical cyclones strengthened over the eastern Pacific Ocean on Tuesday, with one system expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of Mexico’s Baja California region, according to forecasters.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported that Tropical Storm Lorena was likely to become a hurricane by Wednesday as it remained off the western coast of Mexico. As of Tuesday, Lorena was located about 310 miles (495 kilometers) west of Manzanillo, Mexico, and was moving northwest at 15 mph (24 kph).
A tropical storm watch was issued for the area from Cabo San Lucas northward to Cabo San Lázaro. Officials urged residents in southwestern Mexico and the Baja California peninsula to closely monitor the storm’s development.
Forecasters said Lorena could produce wind and rainfall totals up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) across parts of Baja California Sur and southwestern Sonora state through Friday. The weather service cautioned that actual rain totals may vary depending on Lorena’s path and warned that flash flooding is possible.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Kiko intensified further as it traveled west over open waters with maximum sustained winds reaching 100 mph (155 kph). The hurricane center stated Kiko was located about 1,775 miles (2,855 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii.
Kiko has reached Category 2 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Cyclones rated Category 3 or higher are considered major hurricanes.
“The forecast called for strong wind and rainfall totals up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) across parts of Baja California Sur and southwestern Sonora state through Friday. The weather service warned rain totals could fluctuate depending on the track of the storm, and flash flooding was possible.”
