Hurricane Orlene Makes Landfall Southeast of Mazatlan

Hurricane Orlene made landfall on the west coast of Mexico southeast of Mazatlan on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Orlene was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 105.7°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) east-southeast of Mazatlan, Mexico. Orlene was moving toward the north-northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from San Blas to Mazatlan, Mexico. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta Mita to San Blas and from Mazatlan to Bahia Tempehuaya, Mexico.

Hurricane Orlene made landfall on the west coast of Mexico southeast of Mazatlan near Teacapan on Monday morning. Orlene was a small hurricane at the time of landfall. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Orlene’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Orlene will weaken quickly as it moves inland. An upper level trough over northwestern Mexico will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Orlene’s circulation. Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear coupled with moving over land will cause Hurricane Orlene to weaken quickly.

Hurricane Orlene will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to northern Nayarit and southern Sinaloa before it dissipates. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.