Tropical Storm Lorena Threatens Baja California and Arizona
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Forecasters warn of potential hurricane conditions and heavy rainfall.
Tropical Storm Lorena formed south of Baja California on Tuesday. Photo courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Sept. 3 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Lorena continued to strengthen Tuesday night just south of the Baja California Peninsula, according to forecasters, who are warning it coudl become a hurricane in the next few hours.
The storm, which formed early Tuesday, was located about 155 miles south of cabo san Lucas, Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said in its 11 p.m. MST update.
It had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and was moving northwest at 14 mph, it said.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for the west coast of Baja California from Cabo San Lucas north to Cabo San Lazaro.
“On the forecast track, the center of Lorena is expected to move parallel to the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula on wednesday and Thursday and then could approach the coast on Friday,” the NHC said.
Baja California is expected to be inundated with rain from Lorena starting Wednesday, with storms perhaps persisting through Friday, producing between 5 and 10 inches of rainfall, with maximum amounts of 15 inches, according to the NHC.
Heavy rainfall concerns across Arizona will begin late Wednesday through Friday, it said, which could cause flash flooding in areas of the state.
Lorena, the 12th named storm in the eastern North Pacific this year, formed as Hurricane Kiko continued to strengthen over the Pacific Ocean.
MEXICO CITY – As of Tuesday night,Tropical Storm Lorena was gaining strength just south of the Baja california Peninsula,with forecasters anticipating it could become a hurricane soon. The storm, which originated early Tuesday, was situated approximately 155 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) 11 p.m. MST update.
The NHC reported that the storm had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and was moving northwest at 14 mph. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the west coast of Baja California, stretching from Cabo San Lucas north to Cabo San Lazaro.
Projected Path and Rainfall
The NHC stated, “on the forecast track, the center of Lorena is expected to move parallel to the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula on Wednesday and Thursday and then could approach the coast on Friday.” Baja California is bracing for meaningful rainfall from Lorena, beginning Wednesday and potentially lasting through friday. The region could see between 5 and 10 inches of rainfall, with isolated maximum amounts reaching 15 inches, according to the NHC.
“On the forecast track, the center of Lorena is expected to move parallel to the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula on Wednesday and Thursday and then could approach the coast on Friday,”
Flash Flood Concerns in Arizona
The storm’s impact isn’t limited to Mexico. Heavy rainfall is expected to extend into arizona from late Wednesday through Friday, raising concerns about potential flash flooding in certain areas of the state.
Lorena is the 12th named storm in the Eastern North pacific this year.It developed as hurricane Kiko continued to intensify over the Pacific Ocean.
frequently Asked Questions
- What areas are most at risk from Tropical Storm Lorena?
- Baja California and Arizona are expected to be most affected by heavy rainfall and potential flooding.
- What is the current status of Tropical Storm Lorena?
- As of Tuesday night, Tropical Storm Lorena was strengthening south of the Baja California Peninsula.
- What is a tropical storm watch?
- A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the specified area.
