Tropical Storm Erick to rapidly intensify into hurricane, could bring heavy rain as far north as Texas
Some computer forecast models suggest that the deep tropical moisture from this system could drift north and reach parts of extreme South Texas later in the week.
Tropical Storm Erick forms in Eastern Pacific, could bring heavy rain as far north as Texas
Tropical Storm Erick formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean early Tuesday morning some 450 miles southeast of Punta Maldonado, Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Erick has a high likelihood of becoming a hurricane on Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Erick is churning in the Eastern Pacific Ocean some 285 miles southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico, and is expected to undergo rapid intensification and become a hurricane Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph. The NHC has recorded maximum sustained winds of 40 mph within Erick.
Erick formed early Tuesday morning.
It 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.
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Erick forecast to rapidly intensify before landfall
The NHC said Tuesday morning 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 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.
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Mexico's government has issued a Hurricane Warning from Puerto Angel to Punta Maldonado.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Punta Madonado to Acapulco and east of Puerto Angel to Bahias de Huatulco.
A Tropical Storm Watch covers the area east of Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz.
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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 forecast 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.
The NHC also warned that storm surge could produce coastal flooding, and that life-threatening swells and rip currents from Erick may arrive by Wednesday.
Erick's impacts could be felt as far north as Texas
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.