Storm Watch issued for Mexico’s Gulf coast
The Mexican government issued a storm watch for its Gulf coast on Wednesday, from Palma Sola to La Cruz.
A depression which formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday is the 13th of the season and is expected to strengthen to a tropical storm today.
Latest details from the National Hurricane Center reported winds early on Thursday to be around 35mph (55km/h) with higher gusts. Their current track has it making landfall on the east coast of Mexico on Friday, with the likelihood that a storm warning will be issued as it draws closer. More than anything, the storm is expected to bring heavy rain, with up to 400mm (15inches) possible.
Meanwhile in the mid-Atlantic, east of the Windward Islands, Tropical Storm Karen strengthened to near hurricane status late yesterday. While it does not pose any threat to land at present, with time it is expected to run towards the Carolinas.
There has been heightened activity recently in the tropics. Wednesday saw another depression form just south of Key West, dousing parts of South Florida with up to 75mm (3 inches) of rain.
The National Hurricane Center already has its eyes on further activity starting to brew up off the west coast of Africa. It is thought that this may spawn another major storm over the next few days.
