Tropical Storm “Tara” crawling near SW Mexico, life-threatening flash floods and mudslides possible

Tropical Storm "Tara," the 20^th named storm of the 2018 Pacific hurricane season is approaching southwestern Mexico, dropping heavy rain. Tara should pass very close to the coast or possibly move inland today or Wednesday, October 17.

At 09:00 UTC on October 16, the center of Tropical Storm "Tara" was located about 40 km (25 miles) SSW of Manzanillo, Mexico. The storm had maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h (60 mph) and was moving NNW at 4 km/h (2 mph) with minimum central pressure of 998 hPa.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for areas east of Manzanillo to Punta San Telmo, Mexico.

NHC expects the system to move slowly toward the northwest during the next day or so.

On the forecast track, the center of Tara should pass very close to the coast of southwestern Mexico, or possibly move inland, today or Wednesday, October 17.

Gradual weakening is forecast as Tara interacts with the mountains of southwest Mexico.

The system is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 125 – 250 mm (5 – 10 inches) over the Mexican states of Colima, western Jalisco, and far western Michoacan through tonight. Isolated maximum amounts of 380 mm (15 inches) are possible over Colima and western Jalisco.

These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in mountainous terrain.

Tropical Storm "Tara" at 06:45 UTC on October 16, 2018. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East

Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area today through Wednesday morning.

Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area today and tonight.

Featured image: Tropical Storm "Tara" at 06:45 UTC on October 16, 2018. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East