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Tropical Storm “Blanca” makes landfall in Baja California peninsula

tropical-storm-blanca-makes-landfall-in-baja-california-peninsula

The center of Tropical Storm "Blanca" has made landfall near Puerto Cortes, Mexico in Baja California Sur on Monday, June 8, 2015.  This is the earliest landfall of a tropical cyclone on record in the Baja California peninsula, NWS NHC reports.

At 12:00 UTC, Blanca's center was located about 60 km (40 miles) ESE of Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h (45 mph). Its present movement is NNW at 24 km/h (15 mph). Blanca's minimum central pressure is 998 hPa.

General NNW motion is expected to continue through Tuesday, June 9.  On the forecast track the center of Blanca will move near or over portions of the southern and central Baja California peninsula today through June 9.

Additional weakening is forecast, and Blanca is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by tonight.  Blanca will likely dissipate near or over central or northern portions of the
Baja California peninsula on Tuesday.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 240 km (150 miles) from the center.

Blanca is expected to produce total rain accumulations 7.6 – 12.7 cm (3 to 5 inches) over much of Baja California Sur and the southern half of the state of Baja California, with isolated maximum amounts of 25.4 cm (10 inches) over Baja California Sur.  These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.  Rainfall associated with Blanca and its remnants could begin to affect portions of the southwestern United States on June 9.

Swells generated by Blanca are affecting portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico, the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula, and the southern Gulf of California. These swells will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip currents, NHC warns.

Tropical Storm "Blanca" on June 7, 2015. Image credit: NASA Terra/MODIS.

Satellite animations

Featured image: Tropical Storm "Blanca" on June 8, 2015. Image credit: UW-CIMSS.

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