Tropical Storm “Danielle” makes Mexico landfall
Featured image: Tropical Storm "Danielle" on June 20, 2016. Credit: NASA Aqua/MODIS
Tropical Storm "Danielle" made landfall close to the Tuxpan city, Mexico's state of Veracruz around 00:00 UTC on June 21 (20:00 EDT, June 20), with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h (40 mph). Eastern Mexico was already under heavy rain at the time of landfall. A tropical storm warning was in effect from Laguna Verde to Rio Panuco on Mexico's Gulf Coast.
At 21:00 UTC on June 20, Danielle was located 55 km/h (34 miles) NNE of Tuxpan. It had maximum sustained winds of 74 km/h (46 mph) with wind gusts to 92.6 km/h (57.5 mph). Its minimum central pressure was 1 007 hPa.
Tropical Storm "Danielle" just before landfall near Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico. Credit: NOAA/GOES
Danielle's center hit the coast around 00:00 UTC on June 21 near the city of Tuxpan and the storm continued moving over land as a Tropical Depression. It dissipated by 03:00 UTC when its center was located about 45 km (28 miles) WNW of Tuxpan city.
Global models show the remnants quickly moving west- southwestward or southwestward across south-central and southwestern Mexico to the south of a strong mid-level ridge of high pressure centered over the southwestern United States today. What's left could emerge in the eastern Pacific waters to the southwest of Mexico on Wednesday, June 22 before losing its identity, NHC said.
Through the day, Danielle's remnants should continue to produce heavy rains (200 – 300 mm (7.9 – 11.8 inches) in some areas of the southern Mexican states of Veracruz, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Queretaro, Hidalgo and northern Puebla. Isolated spots could get up to 400 mm (16 inches).
These rains could cause localized flash flooding and mudslides across the region.
Tropical Storm "Danielle" on June 20, 2016. Credit: NASA Aqua/MODIS
Schools in northern Veracruz remained closed Tuesday for the second day. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Tropical Storm "Danielle" is the earliest 4th tropical storm on record in Atlantic basin. Previous record held by Debbie on June 23, 2012.
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