NEWS, TIPS & ADVICE | MEXICO
Tropical Storm Barbara nears Mexico
Tropical Storm Barbara may strengthen over the next two days to become the first hurricane of the eastern Pacific season, on a track toward Oaxaca state in southeastern Mexico, forecasters said.
Barbara had tropical storm-force winds of 46 mph early this morning, Mexico's National Meteorological Service said in an advisory on its website. The system was 214 miles south-southwest of Puerto Angel in Oaxaca state and was heading south-southeast at 4.5 mph.
"Interests along the Pacific coast of southeastern Mexico and Guatemala should closely monitor the progress of Barbara," the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an advisory on its website. The center's five-day forecast shows Barbara becoming a hurricane by the end of Saturday, reaching the Mexican coast Sunday.
The Mexican service warned of the potential for "intense rain that may generate landslides in mountainous areas and floods in low-lying and coastal areas." Oaxaca, Guerrero and Chiapas states may be affected, it said.
Barbara is the second named system of the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which typically begins in late May or early June. Tropical Storm Alvin formed this week and was heading away from land after weakening to a depression.
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