West Coast of Mexico faces continued risk of flash floods and mudslides as Hurricane Lorena weakens
Hurricane Kiko and Hurricane Lorena Update
Hurricane Kiko, currently a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, is moving west-northwest in the central Pacific Ocean. The storm, which formed recently, is forecast to pass north of the Hawaiian Islands during early to mid next week. However, no direct landfall is expected, and swells and potentially dangerous surf and rip currents are predicted to affect the Big Island and Maui.
On the other hand, Hurricane Lorena remains uncertain in its track. As of now, Lorena is traveling northwest at 8 mph, and forecasters predict it will revert back to a tropical storm on Thursday. Lorena was initially a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center has issued watches for parts of the U.S. Southwest due to potential heavy rainfall from both storms. Rainfall totals could reach 15 inches in some places in the Mexican states of Baja California Sur, Baja California, and Sonora. Heavy rainfall up to 5 inches is also possible in Arizona and New Mexico, with isolated flash flooding watches issued for Saturday in these states.
There is a risk of life-threatening flash floods and mudslides for parts of Mexico's west coast due to Hurricane Kiko. Forecasters urge people on the Baja California peninsula and in northwestern Mexico to monitor the storm's progress.
Despite weakening from Friday and into the weekend, Hurricane Kiko is expected to maintain its strength for the next day or so. However, forecasters predict that Hurricane Kiko won't strengthen further.
In contrast, Hurricane Lorena is expected to weaken significantly, and it is no longer forecast to pose a direct threat to the mainland United States.
Both storms are currently not associated with any watches or warnings. Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
