Mexico: Cyclone forming off southwestern coast

Event

As of Thursday, October 18, the US-based National Hurricane Center is warning that a storm system centered south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec (off Mexico’s southwestern coast) has a 90 percent chance of forming into a tropical depression or storm within 48 hours. According to current predictions, the storm is expected to move in a west-northwesterly direction along Mexico’s southern coast, potentially making landfall. The Mexican weather service has forecast heavy rain, with the potential to trigger flooding and landslides, through at least Sunday, October 21, in the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Puebla, Guerrero, Tabasco, Michoacán, Jalisco, and Nayarit.

Context

Mexico's Pacific Hurricane Season extends from May 15 to November 30 (and the Atlantic Hurricane Season from June 1 to November 30), with the largest concentration of storms typically occurring between August and October.

Advice

Individuals in Mexico are advised to follow local weather forecasts in the coming hours and days and adhere to any advice issued by regional authorities (e.g. potential evacuation orders). In the event of flooding, keep in mind that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.