At 3:00 am CDT on Sunday, slow-moving Hurricane Orlene evolved into a Category 4 hurricane located 195 km south-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, and moving north at 7 km/h. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Pacific coast of Mexico from San Blas to Mazatlan. A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Playa Perula to San Blas. Orlene is expected to pass just west of Puerto Vallarta from 1 pm Sunday to 1 am Monday.
RAINFALL: Into Tuesday, Orlene is expected to produce 3 to 5 inches of rainfall, with local amounts of 10 inches, across portions of southwestern Mexico. These rainfall amounts should lead to flash flooding, as well as possible landslides in areas of rugged terrain.
STORM SURGE: A dangerous storm surge is likely to cause coastal flooding along the coast of mainland Mexico in the warning area in regions of onshore winds.
SURF: Large swells generated by Orlene are affecting the west coast of Mexico and will spread northward to the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula and the Gulf of California over the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, generally within 36 hours.
The precipitation generated by this system could increase the level of rivers and streams, and cause overflows and floods in areas of the aforementioned states, for which the population and maritime navigation are urged to heed the warnings of the National Meteorological Service (SMN), of the National Water Commission (Conagua), and follow the indications of the state, municipal and Civil Protection authorities.
For more information on weather conditions, consult gob.mx/conagua, smn.conagua.gob.mx, nhc.noaa.gov, the @conagua_mx and @conagua_clima Twitter accounts, and on Facebook, as well as in the application for mobile devices ConaguaClima, where you can find out the forecast by municipality.