By Pete Thomas
Folks in Cabo San Lucas and throughout the Mexican state of Baja California Sur are keeping a close eye on the trajectory of Tropical Storm Lidia.
Lidia, which on Wednesday afternoon was generating heavy rain over southwestern Mexico, is the first Eastern North Pacific storm of 2017 poised to impact the resort areas at Baja California's tip.
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Though Lidia is not expected to attain hurricane strength (sustained gusts of 74 mph or stronger), hurricane watches (hurricane conditions possible) and tropical storm warnings have been issued by Mexico. The Florida-based National Hurricane Center listed them as follows in its 6 p.m. update on Wednesday:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
- Baja California Sur from Puerto Cortes to east of La Paz
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
- Baja California Sur from Puerto Cortes to San Evaristo
- Mainland Mexico from Bahia Tempehuaya to Huatabampito
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
- Baja California Sur from north of San Evaristo to Loreto
- North of Puerto Cortes to Puerto San Andresito
Lidia, which late Wednesday boasted winds of 40 mph, is expected to arrive near Baja California’s tip late Thursday or early Friday.
Tracy Ehrenberg, general manager of Pisces Sportfishing in the Cabo San Lucas marina, said Wednesday evening via email that boats were ordered back in port before a 1 p.m. port closure.
“A squall blew through that lasted 10 minutes, then it settled again,” Ehrenberg said. “So far just one rain shower that lasted five minutes at most. It’s cloudy but really no wind and seas are not bad on the Pacific… up to, say, 10-15 mph.”
Mark Rayor, owner of Jen Wren Sportfishing in the East Cape region on the Sea of Cortez, added: "Nothing alarming so far. Just hope the forecast is right and it doesn’t spool up. Kinda like a rattlesnake: doesn’t look that bad but you never know when it will get pissed off."
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