Barbara becomes a hurricane off Mexico coast, first of Pacific season
Just one day after forming off the coast of western Mexico, Tropical Storm Barbara has strengthened into a hurricane, the first of the eastern Pacific season, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday.
Hurricane Barbara was located about 115 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, according to the center. Its maximum sustained winds were clocked at 75 mph and moving northwest at 10 mph.
While there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, the hurricane center said swells generated by Barbara will affect portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico over the next few days.
"These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," it said.
The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall to coastal areas of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states, with the possibility of localized flooding.
A second storm — Tropical Storm Cosme — formed on Sunday, and it strengthened slightly on Monday. It remains well off the coast of Mexico, some 630 miles south-southwest of the tip of Baja California, the NHC said.
Cosme is expected to reach near-hurricane strength on Monday before turning to the northeast and picking up speed Tuesday into Wednesday.
The Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, while the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 until Nov. 30, with peak activity typically occurring between mid-August and mid-October.
NOAA officials predicted a 60% chance of an "above-normal" Atlantic hurricane season, with between 13 to 19 named storms. Six to 10 of those are expected to strengthen into hurricanes, and three to five could become major hurricanes, forecasters said.
