Hurricane John, a storm that was thought to be gone for good, has unexpectedly made its return to Mexico’s Pacific coast. After initially weakening and then strengthening again over the past few days, the hurricane is now back in full force, bringing heavy rainfall to the region.
The storm system, which had already claimed at least five lives due to mudslides, has once again gained strength and is expected to continue causing problems for the area. The U.S. National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for much of Michoacan’s coastline and parts of Guerrero state, where the storm first made landfall earlier in the week.
The slow-moving storm system is moving northwest just off the coast of Mexico’s Michoacan state, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (121 kph). The National Hurricane Center expects the storm to remain a hurricane as it moves along the coast, potentially causing further flooding and landslides in the area.
Guerrero state Governor Evelyn Salgado has urged residents to take all necessary precautions, warning that the heavy rainfall could cause “significant and catastrophic” flash flooding and mudslides. The storm is also expected to continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the region, making it a potentially disastrous situation for those in its path.
Meteorologists have noted that the warm sea temperatures in the area are contributing to the rapid intensification of the storm, with some areas reaching as high as 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit). This has allowed the storm to reform and regain strength after its initial landfall. The experts warn that this could lead to more episodes of rapid intensification in the future.
In related news, Acapulco is still recovering from major destruction caused by Hurricane Otis last year, which highlights the potential for severe damage from hurricanes in the region. The storm system is expected to continue causing problems for the area through at least Saturday, and residents are advised to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
It’s worth noting that this phenomenon of a storm dissipating and then reforming is commonly referred to as a “zombie” storm. AccuWeather meteorologist Jesse Ferrell used this term to describe Hurricane John, which has been experiencing this unique behavior. The U.S. National Weather Service first coined the term in 2020 when the remnants of storm Paulette regenerated near the Azores after striking Bermuda.
In summary, Hurricane John’s unexpected return to Mexico’s Pacific coast is a cause for concern, and residents are advised to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The storm system is expected to continue causing problems for the area through at least Saturday, and the situation is being closely monitored by meteorologists.
Source: Reuters
