MEXICAN COAST - Tropical Storm Blanca, the second tropical storm of the season, has appeared 400 miles south of the coast of Mexico this week, and is expected to reach hurricane speeds later this week.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds thus far are near 50 mph and the U.S. National Hurricane Center expects the storm will strengthen enough to become a major hurricane by Wednesday night or early Thursday.
Currently, the Weather Advisory Service is reporting that the tropical storm force winds extend up to 45 miles from the center of the storm, and the radius will widen over the next 24 hours. By Friday evening, Blanca should be a major hurricane with max winds of 120 mph or more, centering itself about 200 miles southeast of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.
As we’ve previously reported, the first tropical storm Andres appeared only last week, quickly becoming a hurricane that is still traveling 900 miles west of Cabo San Lucas. Swells generated by Hurricane Andres are affecting the West coast of Baja California peninsula. The Associated Press reports that Andres is now headed toward cooler waters, with its maximum winds decreasing to near 105 mph.
The heaviest rain from Blanca will remain offshore, according to AccuWeather, increasing in moisture and leading to showers and thunderstorms across parts of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco this week. Flooding is also expected and will be localized.
Stay tuned as we bring you further updates on how these storms will affect the Mexican and Californian coasts.
