A new tropical storm has formed in the Pacific Ocean, potentially bringing dangerous winds, rain and floods as it rolls up the West Coast.
The 13th named storm of the Pacific hurricane season has been dubbed Mario, and was called a ‘mini’ tropical storm by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Friday.
Mario formed about 23 miles off the coast of Guerrero, Mexico, with sustained winds near 40 mph after rapidly strengthening overnight.
The storm is moving west-northwest at about 14 mph, roughly parallel to the southwestern Mexican coastline.
It is expected to continue on this track for several days under the influence of a high-pressure ridge over northern Mexico and the Pacific Ocean.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for parts of the Michoacan state. It spanned from Lazaro Cardenas to Punta San Telmo.
Forecasters warned that Mario is expected to strengthen as it moves north closer to the southwest US, with experts at AccuWeather adding that the storm could turn into a hurricane before reaching the Baja California Peninsula.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Heather Zehr said: ‘Some moisture may begin to show up in the form of clouds and spotty showers as early as Tuesday in parts of Southern California, Arizona and southern Nevada, but it is more likely from Wednesday on.’
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
Tropical storm Mario formed Friday morning off the coast of southern Mexico
Mario is expected to keep moving west-northwest for at least the next four days under the influence of a mid-level ridge over northern Mexico and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
‘Mario will lead to rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, with local amounts of 6 inches, across southern Mexico through Sunday,’ the NHC alert reads.
‘This brings a risk of flash flooding, especially in areas of higher terrain.’
While Mario is currently off the coast of Mexico, meteorologists are keeping an eye out for any sudden shifts toward the US.
ABC meteorologist Jorge Torres shared on X: ‘Still too early to know if it could impact Arizona or the Desert Southwest… but we’re keeping a close eye.’
