Background on Priscilla and its Relevance
Hurricane Priscilla, currently a Category 1 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is approaching Mexico’s western coasts. This tropical cyclone poses a significant threat, prompting the Mexican National Water Commission (Conagua) to issue alerts for heavy to intense rainfall across six Mexican states.
Current Position and Movement
According to the Mexican National Meteorological Service (SMN), Hurricane Priscilla’s center is approximately 335 kilometers southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, and 550 kilometers southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.
The storm exhibits maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h, with gusts reaching 170 km/h, moving north-northwestward at 11 km/h.
Rainfall Forecast
- Very Strong (50 to 75 mm):
- Sinaloa (south)
- Nayarit
- Michoacán (coast)
- Guerrero (southwest)
- Strong (25 to 50 mm):
- Baja California Sur (south)
Wind and Wave Predictions
The National Water Commission anticipates waves of 5 to 6 meters in height along the coasts of Jalisco and Colima, 3 to 4 meters in Michoacán’s coastal areas, and 2 to 3 meters along the southern coasts of Baja California Sur, Nayarit, and Sinaloa.
Heavy rainfall may cause thunderstorms, leading to waterlogging, landslides, and flooding in low-lying regions of the mentioned states.
Safety Measures and Recommendations
Conagua advises the public to pay close attention to warnings from the National Meteorological Service, follow recommendations from civil protection agencies, and exercise extreme caution against strong winds and high waves.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Hurricane Priscilla’s current status? Hurricane Priscilla is a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h and gusts up to 170 km/h, moving north-northwestward.
- Which states are under the alert? The alert covers Sinaloa (south), Nayarit, Michoacán (coast), Guerrero (southwest), and parts of Baja California Sur.
- What kind of rainfall and wind conditions are expected? Very strong to intense rainfall (50-75 mm and 25-50 mm, respectively) is forecasted in the affected regions. Winds are expected to reach 60-70 km/h with gusts of 80-100 km/h in Jalisco and Colima, and 30-40 km/h with gusts of 50-70 km/h in southern Baja California Sur, Michoacán’s coast, and Nayarit’s southern coast. Winds in Sinaloa’s south are expected to be 10-25 km/h with gusts of 40-50 km/h.
- What are the safety recommendations? Authorities urge the public to heed warnings from the National Meteorological Service, follow civil protection guidelines, and exercise extreme caution against strong winds and high waves.
