Priscilla Approaches Major Hurricane Status as New Tropical Storm Develops in the Atlantic

Hurricane Priscilla is on the verge of becoming a Category 3 storm in the Pacific, while a new tropical storm is forming and gaining strength in the Atlantic, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. As of Tuesday, Priscilla is currently off the west coast of Mexico, boasting maximum winds of around 110 mph and moving towards the west-northwest at 9 mph.

In the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Jerry emerged on Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds building up to 50 mph by the afternoon. Located about 1,190 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, Jerry is traveling west at a speed of 23 mph. Forecasters predict that Jerry will escalate into a hurricane within the next day or two.

Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, and Sint Maarten are under a tropical storm watch due to Jerry’s trajectory in the Atlantic. Meanwhile, a tropical storm watch has been issued for Baja California Sur along the coast of Mexico because of Hurricane Priscilla in the Pacific.

To prepare for the impending storm, Baja California Sur has taken precautionary measures by canceling classes in Los Cabos and La Paz. Additionally, shelters have been set up in Los Cabos for people living in high-risk areas. Priscilla is expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of southwestern Mexico, primarily affecting Michoacán and Colima states.

Priscilla is likely to weaken starting Wednesday, meeting the criteria to be characterized as a major hurricane. The storm poses a risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents along the coast of Mexico. In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Octave is losing strength and situated about 780 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Its maximum sustained winds are clocked at 45 mph, moving east-southeast at 8 mph.