Priscilla, which had approached major hurricane status earlier in the week, weakened to a tropical storm as it moved along Mexico’s western Pacific coast. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, Priscilla’s maximum sustained winds dropped to about 70 mph (110 kph) on Wednesday.
The storm brought high surf and gusty winds to Baja California Sur. Authorities issued a tropical storm watch from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro. Forecasters warned that heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding could occur along Mexico’s Pacific coast and continue into the Southwestern United States through the weekend.
Priscilla was moving northwest at 8 mph (13 kph), with its center located about 205 miles (335 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The National Hurricane Center noted an increasing flood risk due to ongoing rainfall as Priscilla tracked further north.
Meanwhile, in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Jerry was reported with top winds of 60 mph (95 kph). The storm was centered approximately 605 miles (970 kilometers) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands and moving west-northwest at 23 mph (37 kph).
Forecasters indicated that Jerry is expected to strengthen gradually and could reach hurricane status by the weekend. “The core of the storm is expected to be near or to the north of the northern Leeward Islands late this week or weekend,” forecasters said.
Rainfall projections for Thursday into early Friday suggest that 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) could fall across the Leeward Islands, raising concerns about flash flooding. A tropical storm watch was issued for Antigua, Barbuda and Anguilla; St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat; St. Barts and St. Martin; Saba and St. Eustatius; as well as Guadeloupe and nearby islands.
