Mexico On Alert For Another Tropical Storm That Can Evolve Into Hurricane

Weather experts warned that another tropical storm, which may later turned into hurricane, could hit Mexico.

Recently, Hurricane Otis struck Mexico and caused massive devastation in many areas, including Acapulco.

(Photo : Getty Images/Salvador Valadez)

Tropical Depression Being Monitored

Meteorologists said that they are monitoring a tropical depression, which developed in the western Caribbean and crossed over Central America earlier this week.

They said the moisture associated with that system has now emerged in the eastern Pacific and may not only become the next named tropical storm of the 2023 season.

They forecasted that based on present weather conditions, the system could intensify rapidly, similar to what happened to Otis and Norma earlier this month.

Based on satellite images, showers and thunderstorms that conglomerated about a center a couple hundred miles to the southwest of Guatemala, as well as the high clouds that are radiating outward on top of the mass have been indicative of ripe conditions for development and strengthening.

Meteorologists explained that even though this particular batch of thunderstorms may not lead to the actual tropical system, it is still a sign that the area is conducive for tropical activity.

They further explained that there was very little wind shear affecting the system.

The wind shear is represented by stiff breezes blowing from one direction or shifting directions that can hinder or prevent tropical development when strong.

To recall, both low wind shear and very warm water were present when Hurricane Otis rapidly intensified earlier this week.

Otis had made landfall near Acapulco packing maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, which had deadly and devastating consequences.

Otis was the only Category 5 hurricane on record to hit the Acapulco area in Mexico.

Major Hurricane

Based on the forecast, the newest storm is likely to track in farther to the south along the coast when compared to the track of Otis.

Weather experts said that while this could be a good news for residents in Acapulco as search, rescue and recovery operations are underway following the onslaught of Otis, the storm could bring a heavy blow to areas farther to the south along the Pacific coast.

This is likely to happen should the new storm make a turn back toward the east or northeast.

Officials said that the next name on the list of tropical storms for the 2023 eastern Pacific hurricane season is Pilar.

The weather system is seen to have enough time to develop through this weekend and into early next week with a high chance of becoming a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or greater.

Moreover, there is this potential that the weather system may reach major hurricane intensity with sustained winds of 111 mph or greater.

Meteorologists said that the system would likely turn to the east during the early to middle part of next week before the system will make a landfall anywhere from Nicaragua to the southern part of Mexico.

Further, they said that there is no guarantee that the system will strike land due to light steering breezes.