Tornadoes hit Mexican states of Chihuahua and Puebla

An impressive tornado hit the Mexican state of Chihuahua on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, and was witnessed and recorded by numerous people. On the same day, another tornado hit the state of Puebla, knocking down 27 trees and damaging several cars. Meanwhile, a low pressure area off Acapulco is expected to strengthen into a tropical depression as it drifts toward Mexico. Locally heavy rains are expected to spread over the country's southeastern and southern coast during the next several days.

The Chihuahua tornado formed in the town of Sainapuchi in the municipality of Riva Palacio and lasted a few minutes. The President of Riva Palacio, Manuel Rodríguez, and Civil Protection visited the area and said the phenomenon did not cause any damage or injuries. 

Another tornado hit Huejotzingo in Mexico's southern state of Puebla, damaging 27 trees and several cars. There were no reports of casualties or injuries.

The storm that produced the tornado also brought intense hail storms, strong winds and heavy rain, causing floods in much of Puebla.

Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms associated with a low pressure area located about 482 km (300 miles) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico have become more concentrated during the past several hours, the NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida said at 12:00 UTC (05:00 PDT) today.

If current trends continue, a tropical depression could form later today or tonight while the low drifts northward toward the coast of Mexico. Regardless of development, locally heavy rains are expected to spread over the coast of southeastern and southern Mexico during the next several days. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. Interests along the coast of southeastern and southern Mexico should monitor the progress of this system.

Formation chance through 48 hours: High / 90%
Formation chance through 5 days: High / 90%

At 13:30 UTC today, Mexico's Servicio Meteorológico Nacional said the tropical depression formation is probable within the next several hours.

Featured image: Chihuahua tornado on May 30, 2017. Credit: Juank (Twitter)