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Updated Oct 22, 2018 2:34 AM EDT
MEXICO – Hurricane Willa, which has just formed, has rapidly intensified off the Mexican Pacific coast on Sunday and early Monday and has become a major category 4 storm on the verge of becoming a Category 5, the National Center announced. hurricanes (NHC). At 2 am Wilma had sustained maximum winds of 155 mph – just 2 mph from Category 5.
Even at Category 4, Willa is "extremely dangeorus," forecasters said, adding that he was likely to strengthen in Category 5 on Monday morning.
The NHC said it could hit the southwestern coast of Mexico Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and bring a storm surge, winds and potentially deadly rush.
"Even though some weakening is expected from here tonight and Tuesday, Willa should be a dangerous hurricane when it will reach the Mexican coast," warned the NHC.
In its latest opinion, the NHC reported that Willa was about 300 km south-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico, and that it was moving north at a speed of about 5 km. mi / h.
Hurricane winds extend to the center at a distance of up to 25 miles, while those of tropical storms extend up to 90 miles.
A hurricane warning was posted on a stretch of shoreline between San Blas and Mazatlan. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Playa Perula in San Blas and north of Mazatlan in Bahia Tempehuaya.
According to forecasters, Willa is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches, with local amounts of 18 inches, on parts of western Jalisco, western Nayarit and southern Sinaloa in Mexico. This precipitation will cause flash floods and life-threatening landslides. Further inland, Willa is expected to produce rainfall of 2 to 4 inches over portions of Zacateca, Durango, Southeast Chihuahua and Coahuila in Mexico, with local quantities of up to 6 inches. This precipitation could cause flash floods that are life threatening.
Screening of the National Hurricane Center on the trajectory of Hurricane Willa at 11 pm. ET on Sunday, October 21, 2018.
National Hurricane Center
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Vicente appeared to be a less powerful threat further south. Forecasters said it would likely stay off or near the south Pacific coast of Mexico until Monday night and possibly at the coast on Tuesday.
According to NHC, the storm was about 230 km southeast of Acapulco, Mexico, and was moving west at about 20 km / h. Maximum sustained winds decreased to 40 mph with stronger gusts.
The NHC has stated that it could produce 3 to 6 inches of rain near the coast.
Peter Martinez contributed to this report.
