Overview of Lorena’s Current Status
According to Mexico’s National Weather Service (SMN), Lorena has been downgraded from a tropical cyclone to a post-tropical cyclone. As of early Thursday morning, the system was located 275 kilometers west of Cabo San Lazaro and 285 kilometers south-southwest of Punta Abreojos in Baja California Sur. It maintained its position, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 75 km/h.
Continued Rainfall and Regional Impact
Despite its downgrade, Lorena will continue to bring heavy rainfall across western and northern Mexico. The SMN forecasts torrential rains, between 150 and 250 millimeters (mm), in Baja California Sur; intense rains, between 75 and 150 mm, in southern Baja California and western and southern Sonora; very heavy rains, between 50 and 75 mm, in northern Sinaloa, Durango, and the coastal regions of both states. Fuertes (strong) rains, between 25 and 50 mm, are expected in Chihuahua.
The SMN predicts that rainfall will gradually decrease throughout the day.
Wind and Wave Conditions
Alongside the rainfall, winds of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour with gusts up to 60 km/h are expected along the coasts of Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and the Gulf of California. Wave heights will reach 2 to 3 meters along the coasts of Baja California Sur and 1.5 to 2.5 meters along the coasts of Sonora and Sinaloa.
SMN’s Advisory Changes and Public Safety Measures
Given Lorena’s weakened state and its current trajectory, the SMN will no longer issue alerts regarding the cyclone. However, they warn that the rainfall may be accompanied by lightning, leading to localized flooding, mudslides, and inundations in low-lying areas. Strong winds could also bring down trees and outdoor advertisements.
To ensure public safety, the SMN urges citizens to follow recommendations from local civil protection authorities and exercise extreme caution in the face of high winds and elevated wave conditions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current status of Lorena? Lorena has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone and is currently located off the coast of Baja California Sur.
- Where will Lorena bring heavy rainfall? Heavy to very heavy rains are expected in western and northern Mexico, including Baja California Sur, southern Baja California, western and southern Sonora, northern Sinaloa, Durango, and Chihuahua.
- What wind and wave conditions should we expect? Winds of 20 to 30 km/h with gusts up to 60 km/h, along with wave heights of 2 to 3 meters along the coasts of Baja California Sur and 1.5 to 2.5 meters along the coasts of Sonora and Sinaloa.
- Will the SMN continue to issue alerts for Lorena? No, as Lorena has weakened and changed its trajectory, the SMN will no longer issue alerts related to this cyclone.
- What safety measures should people take? Citizens are advised to follow recommendations from local civil protection authorities and exercise caution due to high winds and elevated wave conditions, which may lead to localized flooding, mudslides, and downed trees or advertisements.
