Earlier today, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida upgraded Tropical Storm Barbara to Hurricane Barbara and it looks like it will need to do the same with Tropical Storm Cosme as it too becomes a hurricane. Both storms, the second and third named systems of the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center, are moving up along Mexico’s west coast.
Packing maximum sustained winds of 75 mph with higher gusts, Hurricane Barbara is located about 175 miles west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. It is moving to the northwest at 10 mph while it’s central pressure is down to 991 MB or 29.27″. According to the NHC, a weakening trend should begin tonight, and the system is forecast to become a remnant low by Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Cosme is just shy of hurricane strength with 70 mph sustained winds. Cosme is moving to the northwest at 9 mph; it’s minimum central pressure is almost as low as Barbara’s at 992 mb or 29.30″. Cosme is expected to turn toward the north with a decease in forward speed by tomorrow, followed by a faster north-northeast motion late Tuesday through Wednesday. The NHC says some additional strengthening is forecast and
Cosme could become a hurricane tonight. However, rapid weakening is then expected late Tuesday and Wednesday. As is the case with Barbara, Cosme will likely become a post-tropical low in a couple of days as it heads north into colder waters and more hostile weather conditions.
Swells generated by these storms will affect portions of the coast of southwestern Mexico during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Gusty winds are also likely along coastal areas of southwestern Mexico for the next few days.
