Norma Takes Shape As Hurricane After Explosive Intensification, Landfall Expected In Mexico

Tropical Storm Norma has already developed into a hurricane in the Eastern Pacific after undergoing explosive intensification.

Weather experts said that Norma is seen to make landfall in Mexico.

Tropical-Storm-Force Wind Speed Probabilities of Norma

(Photo : NOAA)

Norma's Weather Track

The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center said that at 3:00 PM MDT (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Norma was located near latitude 15.6 North, longitude 108.0 West.

Norma is seen to be moving toward the north near 8 mph (13 km/h).

Meteorologists said that a northward to north-northwestward motion at a similar forward speed is expected during the next few days.

Meanwhile, maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts.

Weather experts said that the continued rapid strengthening is forecast through tonight, and Norma could become a major hurricane on Thursday.

They noted that Norma's gradual weakening is forecast on Friday and Saturday.

Furthermore, hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 984 mb (29.06 inches).

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

Norma is seen to continue its rapid intensification this afternoon. Moreover, intense inner-core convection has resulted in a ring of very cold cloud tops surrounding the center of the cyclone, and a ragged eye has emerged in recent visible images of Norma.

The NHC said that there is still greater than normal uncertainty in Norma's track and intensity forecasts for the weather disturbance later this week and this weekend while it approaches the Baja California peninsula and western Mexico.

Despite that, there is an increasing threat of wind and rainfall impacts to southern portions of Baja California Sur by Saturday, and watches could be required there tonight or on Thursday.

Meanwhile, weather experts said that officials in Baja California Sur should monitor the progress of Norma and that watches could be required for portions of the area tonight or on Thursday.

At present, the swells generated by Norma are affecting portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico, and will spread northward along the coast of western Mexico and toward Baja California Sur during the next couple of days.

Meteorologists said that these swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Effects In The US

According to weather experts, some moisture as well as energy from Norma will survive the trip over the mountains in northern Mexico and then reach the US.

They explained that a dip in the jet stream, which will develop in the western US next week, will help to scoop up the energy and moisture from the tropical system across the South Central states.

The rainfall amounts of this high magnitude could be significantly beneficial in easing drought conditions gripping the region.

Officials said that the large tracts of the central US have been experiencing abnormally dry conditions to the most extreme drought conditions, the United States Drought Monitor has said.