Tropical Storm Barbara Expected to Strengthen into Hurricane by Monday as Storm Cosme Develops in the Pacific
Tropical Storm Barbara intensifies off Mexico's Pacific coast, threatening hurricane status and prompting warnings for heavy rainfall and dangerous surf.
Two tropical storms intensified off Mexico’s Pacific coastline on Monday, prompting warnings and heightened vigilance among residents and authorities. Forecasters cautioned that one of the systems, Tropical Storm Barbara, was projected to reach hurricane status later in the day as it tracked parallel to the shore.
Early Monday, Barbara was located roughly 185 miles (295 kilometers) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. The storm packed maximum sustained winds reaching 70 mph (110 kph), edging close to the threshold for hurricane classification. Meteorologists reported that Barbara is moving west-northwest at approximately 12 mph, a path expected to continue over the next two days.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center anticipated that Barbara would strengthen into a hurricane during the day, although gradual weakening was forecast to commence as soon as Tuesday. Authorities highlighted the risk of heavy rainfall, predicting totals between 2 and 4 inches (51 to 101 millimeters) across coastal areas in Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco states. Such downpours could pose a threat of localized flooding on Monday.
Forecasters also alerted inhabitants and beachgoers along southwestern Mexico’s coast to the likelihood of dangerous surf and rip currents generated by Barbara’s swells. Gusty winds were expected to further exacerbate hazardous conditions along the shoreline, prompting calls for increased caution.
Meanwhile, a second system, Tropical Storm Cosme, demonstrated slight intensification but remained situated well away from land. As of early Monday, Cosme was centered about 630 miles (1,015 kilometers) south-southwest of Baja California’s southern tip. The storm carried sustained winds of 50 mph and was advancing west-northwest at 9 mph. Forecasts indicated that Cosme could approach near-hurricane strength before veering to the northeast and accelerating between Tuesday and Wednesday.
While immediate threats to heavily populated areas remained limited, emergency services and residents along Mexico’s Pacific coast were urged to monitor official updates as both storms continued to evolve.
