August 18 Update: Hurricane Hilary has intensified into a Category 4 storm as it nears Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Hilary’s center is on track to approach the peninsula on Friday and over the weekend, prompting Mexican officials to issue a hurricane watch and tropical storm watches and warnings for parts of Baja California Sur. The cyclone is forecast to remain at Category 4 strength going into Saturday and then begin to weaken throughout the day as it enters much colder waters to the west of the peninsula.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – The formation of Tropical Storm ‘Hilary’ in the Pacific Ocean south of the coast of Guerrero state triggered heavy rains in the southeastern and western regions of Mexico yesterday. The National Water Commission (Conagua) forecasts that the storm will intensify into a hurricane today as it moves northward, nearing Baja California Sur.
Predictions also indicate that ‘Hilary’ could potentially become a Category 3 hurricane between Friday & Saturday, before eventually downgrading to a tropical cyclone – without making landfall.
‘Hilary’ is expected to bring intense localized rainfall to Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Michoacán, along with very strong localized rains in Colima, Jalisco, and Nayarit. Additionally, wind gusts of 70 to 90 km/h and waves of 2 to 4 meters in height are anticipated along the coasts of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima.
The predicted precipitation could result in reduced visibility, elevated river and stream levels, as well as potential landslides and floods in the mentioned regions, cautioned the National Water Commission (CONAGUA). In response, they advised exercising extreme caution and following recommendations issued by the National Civil Protection System in each affected area.
Conagua further noted, “Tourists visiting these states and maritime navigation in general are advised to exercise caution due to the high waves.”
The National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC) issued a low-level blue alert for the Northwest, Northeast, and North of Baja California, as well as the South, North, and Central regions of Baja California Sur in response to the developing weather conditions.
Follow the storm’s progression on the CONAGUA website.
