Three tropical systems threaten Mexico and the US coasts as storms intensify
Tropical Storm Rachel is moving toward northern Baja and the Gulf of California, while Hurricane Simon is expected to become a major hurricane on Mexico’s west coast, and Hurricane Isaias is strengthening in the Atlantic toward the US Gulf.
Meteorologists track three separate cyclones affecting North America. Rachel is expected to reach northern Baja and the northern Gulf of California at tropical-storm intensity this weekend, which may trigger Tropical Storm Watches and generate dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal flooding along Southern California. The storm’s moisture could also cause flash flooding and strong gusts in the Southwest.
Meanwhile, Simon, currently south of Rachel, is projected to become a hurricane Thursday night and intensify into a major hurricane by Saturday, with a Hurricane Warning already in place for Mexico’s west-central coastline due to the risk of extreme winds, storm surge and mudslides. Adding to the threat, Isaias has upgraded to a hurricane overnight in the Atlantic and is moving toward the US Gulf Coast, marking the first Atlantic hurricane of the season.
Why it matters
Multiple storms could bring severe weather, flooding and landslides to densely populated coastal regions in Mexico and the United States.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 Rainy week ahead for Tampa Bay as cold front stalls and Gulf system develops
- Oct 7 The National Hurricane Center now expects Isaias to intensify into a hurricane before Gulf Coast landfall.
- Oct 8 The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch from Bay St. Louis to Indian Pass and a hurricane warning for the Alabama coast.
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