Southwestern Mexico — Two tropical storms are now threatening Mexico and Central America, with Tropical Storm Boris expected to make landfall at any moment and newly named Tropical Storm Cristina tracking closely behind.
Flash flooding and mudslides are the biggest dangers from both storms as they push enormous amounts of tropical moisture into already vulnerable coastlines.
Tropical Storm Boris — Landfall Imminent
Boris has been churning off the southwestern coast of Mexico and could come ashore at any time.
“Boris’ center is poorly defined because most of its thunderstorm activity is displaced well to the south by wind shear,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “The center could wander onshore at any time or could meander prior to making landfall and stay just offshore.”
While Boris carries sustained winds of only 40 mph — making it a relatively minimal tropical storm — the dangers should not be underestimated.
Rough surf, dangerous rip currents, choppy seas and rounds of drenching rain are all expected as the storm moves through. Swimmers and boaters face serious hazards.
Acapulco is expected to see 4 to 8 inches of rain, with a possible maximum of 15 inches in the hardest-hit areas.
The good news for soccer fans — any rain directly linked to Boris should clear before World Cup matches scheduled in Mexico City and Guadalajara on Thursday, though some sporadic storms could still affect play.
Tropical Storm Cristina — A Bigger Threat Brewing
While Boris dominates headlines, Cristina may ultimately pose a greater danger.
The storm was upgraded from a tropical depression to Tropical Storm Cristina Monday afternoon. It is currently tracking farther south than Boris but is expected to grind along the Central American and Mexican coasts through this weekend.
An extensive band of 8 to 12 inches of rain is forecast along parts of the west coast of Central America and southern Mexico, with a possible maximum of 24 inches in the most heavily impacted areas.
“If Cristina could stay away from the coast long enough, it could ramp up and become a hurricane,” DaSilva warned.
Should Cristina push inland over southern Mexico, winds of 60 to 80 mph could develop in areas where mountain gaps channel and accelerate the wind.
There is also a chance that Cristina’s energy could eventually reach the southwestern Gulf of Mexico later this week — potentially regenerating or triggering heavy flooding rains across parts of the southern United States into the weekend.
Why This Season Is So Active
The Eastern and Central Pacific hurricane basins are expected to see heightened tropical activity this season, largely driven by the ongoing and intensifying El Niño pattern — meaning Boris and Cristina could be just the beginning.
Residents along the southwestern coast of Mexico and Central America are urged to monitor updates closely and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
Are you in the path of either of these storms? Stay safe and let us know how things look in your area — drop a comment below.
