*Monday afternoon update: Hurricane Bud has strengthened to a Category 3 storm, with winds of 120 mph, and moved farther offshore
By Pete Thomas
With Hurricane Aletta having been downgraded to a tropical storm and posing no significant threat to the Mexican coastline, all eyes are on Hurricane Bud, which appears to be taking aim at the Los Cabos region of Baja California Sur.
Aletta, currently located more than 500 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas at Baja’s tip, was a Category 4 hurricane with 140-mph winds on Friday. Aletta, now boasting 45-mph winds and weakening quickly, did not threaten to make landfall.
Bud, however, is taking a more northerly route, closer to Mexico’s west coast. On Sunday evening, Bud was located 235 miles south of the mainland resort city of Manzanillo, boasting sustained gusts of 80 mph. A storm watch was issued from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes, just south of Puerto Vallarta.
The Florida-based National Hurricane Center predicts that Bud will maintain hurricane strength until late Wednesday afternoon, and reach Baja California Sur as a tropical storm. Bud is predicted to strengthen through Monday, but begin to weaken Tuesday as it reaches cooler water.
Rainfall amounts could total 10 inches on the mainland through Tuesday, with a high potential for flash flooding.
Heavy surf and powerful storm surges will be felt on the mainland and parts of the Baja California Peninsula.
–Images are courtesy of the National Hurricane Center
Comments