Hurricane Patricia is set to hit Mexico later today and we have all the info you need to stay up-to-date on what’s happening with this historic storm.
Recently upgraded to a monstrous Category 5 storm, Hurricane Patricia has maximum sustained winds of 200 mph, which intensified at an explosive speed, beginning as a regular storm with just 65 mph winds Wednesday night. As reference, hurricanes must reach 157 mph winds in order to be ranked in the same category.
Patricia is the strongest hurricane ever to be recorded in the Western hemisphere and is likely to be the strongest storm to ever make landfall on Mexico’s Pacific coastline. The damage is predicted to be catastrophic and residents are encouraged to stay alert.
According to Reuters, “The government warned that ash and other material from the volcano of Colima, about 130 miles (210 km) from Puerto Vallarta, could combine with massive rainfall to trigger “liquid cement”-style mudflows that could envelop nearby villages.”
The storm is expected to cause widespread flooding, and storm surges could be as high as 39 feet. According to the Weather Channel, cities Jalisco, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Colima are expected to see at least six to 12 inches of rainfall. Nearby U.S. states are already experiencing significant rain and flooding.
The hurricane also has the lowest central pressure ever recorded in the Pacific. A hurricane warning is in effect so far for the Pacific coast of Mexico, ranging from San Blas to Punta San Telmo.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), this is just 15 mph shy of tying the all-time record strongest tropical cyclone for the globe based on maximum sustained winds. Typhoon Nancy holds that record with maximum sustained winds of 215 mph on Sept. 12, 1961.
Hurricane Patricia Path
According to the Weather Channel, Patricia is not expected to weaken much and will likely still be a Category 5 when she makes landfall in southwestern Mexico on Friday night. The eye of the storm is expected to pass over the state of Jalisco, which includes the second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara, and tourist destination Puerto Vallarta. The resort city of Manzanillo might also see damage, depending on the storm’s track, which is still being watched.
Texas and other nearby states are already experiencing significant rain and flooding. After the hurricane makes landfall, moisture from the storm may be pulled into the south-central U.S., including Texas and Oklahoma, Accuweather reported. However, the hurricane will weaken significantly after the eye of the storm passes over land. Mountains in Mexico will further weaken the storm, so although moisture from the hurricane will affect Texas, the hurricane itself will not strike the state, Texas Storm Chasers reported.
Watch the storm in real time on a live webcam at a Puerto Vallarta resort here.
Hurricane Patricia Live Stream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n9QogL9IyE
Hurricane Patricia Pictures
The post is being updated live, refresh for updates.
