Hurricane conditions expected along Mexican coastline as Tropical Storm Erick intensifies
Some computer forecast models suggest that the deep tropical moisture from Erick could drift north and reach parts of extreme South Texas later in the week.
Erick taking aim at Mexico
Hurricane Watches and Warnings have been issued for the Mexican coastline as Erick is expected to impact communities around Acapulco in less than 36 hours.
Erick intensified into a hurricane on Wednesday morning. Please click here to follow the latest updates on Hurricane Erick.
Tropical Storm Erick is strengthening in the Eastern Pacific Ocean some 180 miles south-southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico, and is expected to rapidly intensify into a hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The NHC has recorded maximum sustained winds of 65 mph within Erick, which formed early Tuesday morning.
Erick is the fifth named storm of this year's Eastern Pacific hurricane season, and it could be the first named storm in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins to make landfall.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TROPICAL STORM AND HURRICANE?
(FOX Weather)
Erick forecast to rapidly intensify before landfall
The NHC said Tuesday that Erick is expected to rapidly intensify before making landfall. Rapid intensification occurs when a tropical cyclone's maximum sustained winds increase by at least 35 mph within 24 hours.
Erick could reach major hurricane strength if it intensifies faster than current forecasts show. A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
It is expected to approach the coast of southern Mexico by Wednesday night and move inland or be near the coast on Thursday, according to the NHC.
HOW ARE HURRICANES RATED? THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE EXPLAINED
(FOX Weather)
Mexico's government has issued a Hurricane Warning from Puerto Angel to Acapulco, with other tropical weather alerts issued both south and north of the expected landfall location.
The Hurricane Hunters are set to fly into Erick later Wednesday, which could help determine how strong the cyclone actually is.
WHAT TO DO WHEN HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM WATCHES AND WARNINGS ARE ISSUED FOR YOUR TOWN
(FOX Weather)
Erick could be first named storm of 2025 to make landfall in either Eastern Pacific or Atlantic
Forecasters said Erick will bring heavy rain to Central America and southeastern Mexico this week, and it will likely become the first storm in either the Eastern Pacific or the Atlantic to make landfall this year.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, landfall could happen in Mexico. The NHC's forecast of 8-16 inches of rain will fall close to the coast. Localized pockets of up to 20 inches of rain are possible in the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo took to X to warn residents to stay tuned to the latest conditions and alerts ahead of the storm making landfall in Mexico.
The NHC also warned that storm surge could produce life-threatening coastal flooding, swells and rip currents from Erick may arrive by Wednesday evening.
(FOX Weather)