JUNE 16, 2012 9:15 P.M. CDT (JUNE 17 2:15 UTC) Carlotta – the first named storm of the 2012 eastern Pacific Ocean hurricane season – is nearing the southwestern coast of Mexico this evening. According to a report posted minutes ago by AP, it is already bringing wind and rain to Puerto Escondido, a coastal resort popular with surfers and other travelers. It is expected to brush Puerto Escondido and then lash Acapulco, AP said.
NASA’s Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-13) acquired this image of Carlotta earlier today. In the course of the day today, Carlotta became a powerful Category 2 hurricane. EarthSky weather blogger Matt Daniel, who posted at EarthSky about Carlotta yesterday, said in an email three hours ago that Carlotta was producing maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. He said just now, however:
Fortunately, looks like it is on a weakening trend as the eye has collapsed on itself.
Meanwhile, NASA said:
As Carlotta nears the [Mexican] coast, rainfall poses one of the biggest threats. Heavy rains resulting in flooding and landslides are then possible as Carlotta interacts with rugged terrain near the southwestern coast of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center has forecast accumulations of 3 to 5 inches (75 to 125 mm) with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches (300 mm) over the Mexican states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas. Storm surge and hurricane-force winds are also expected.
- EarthSky
No comments:
Post a Comment