Several storm systems, including a potential hurricane, are dumping rain across much of Mexico

Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) is monitoring three simultaneously occurring and potentially cyclonic tropical storms that are expected to continue to bring rain to much of the country, along with lightning, hail and strong winds.

One of the storms is Tropical Storm Iselle, safely offshore but expected to reach Category 1 hurricane force as it moves further out into the Pacific.

Tropical Storm Iselle is developing far enough offshore (920 km) that Mexico’s Pacific coast is not visible in this satellite photo released by the National Meteorological Service, but Iselle still has done its share to bring rain to much of Mexico. (SMN)

The atmospheric instability over northwestern Mexico will lead to continued showers and heavy rain. As a result, heavy rainfall of between 50 and 75 mm is expected on Monday in the western states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima and Michoacán, along with strong waves in Baja California Sur.

At the same time, low-pressure troughs will interact with a cyclonic circulation at middle and upper levels of the atmosphere to bring rain to many areas of Mexico.

Further south, winds of between 50 and 70 km/h are expected in Campeche and Oaxaca, with waves of between 2 and 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) in the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

The SMN warns that strong wind gusts in any of the affected areas, north or south, could knock down trees and billboards, while heavy rainfall could cause flooding and fog banks could reduce visibility on highways and in urban areas.

All the rain is not expected to alleviate the ongoing heat wave in the border states. Highs of 45°C (113°F) or higher are predicted for Baja California on Monday, with maximum temperatures of between 40 and 45°C expected in Sonora, Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, as well as in Sinaloa. 

As for Iselle, the SMN reported that the tropical storm was located approximately 920 km southwest of Cabo San Lázaro, Baja California Sur, at 6 a.m. on Monday. Though it is expected to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane by Monday evening, the SMN has emphasized that the projected distance and trajectory of Iselle do not pose a direct risk to Mexico.

With reports from UNOTV, Proceso and N+

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