MEXICO CITY — Tropical Storm Barbara, which was gathering strength off Mexico’s Pacific coast, had the potential to escalate into a hurricane by Monday, according to meteorologists.
By late Sunday, Barbara was located approximately 235 miles (375 kilometers) west-southwest of the popular tourist destination of Zihuatanejo in the state of Guerrero. Reports from the National Hurricane Center in Miami indicated the storm carried maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and advanced west-northwest at a speed of 10 mph (17 kph).
Although the trajectory of the storm suggested it would remain over the ocean, warnings of heavy rainfall posed risks of localized flooding and mudslides along Mexico’s western coast. Rainfall totals were anticipated to reach between 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) in areas spanning Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco until Monday.
Additionally, swells impacting sections of the southwestern coast were expected to lead to hazardous surf and rip current conditions over the coming days, as noted by the hurricane center.
In the meantime, another tropical storm named Cosme developed southwest of Barbara, yet it did not threaten any land areas.
As of late Sunday, Cosme displayed maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and was projected to approach hurricane strength by Monday, according to forecasts. The storm was moving northwest at 9 mph (15 kph), positioned about 650 miles (1,045 kilometers) south-southwest of the southernmost region of Baja California.