As predicted, the Cat 4 Hurricane Willa intensified into a monstrous Cat 5 storm but only for a short instance before approaching the coast of Mexico. Thereafter, it debilitated into Cat 4 before the hitting the coast.
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Cat 4 storms also have the potential to cause life threatening storm surge of around 50 ft height, winds with a velocity of 209 to 251 kmph and exuberant rainfall while roaring inland.
Such a storm can result in structural damages to buildings as well as pushing down huge trees and snapping power lines.
Mexico administration has issued warnings for the Pacific Sea Board and has also enforced evacuation along the coast to minimize loss to life and property.
The cloud configuration of the storm shows a well-defined eye of nearly 40 km diameter, indicative of its strength. However, when the hurricane would hit the coast the wind shear would pick up resulting in the rapid weakening of the storm within 100 km of its entry, dropping it to a Cat 2.
The next 48 hours are crucial for Mexico in terms of heavy to extremely heavy showers with hurricane forced winds triggering flash floods and mudslides in several places. Air, rail as well as widespread road disruptions also can be expected. Rough surf would begin along the coastline of Mexico conducive for a high risk of rip currents.
To add to the woes, another tropical storm, Vicente is built up towards the south of Mexico. Although its intensity is low it has the potential to cause inclement weather conditions over southwestern parts of Mexico.
Image Credit: CIMSS
