Tag Archives: Teacapan

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.

Major Hurricane Willa Makes Landfall in Mexico

Major Hurricane Willa made landfall on the coast of Mexico between Teacapan and Mazatlan on Tuesday evening.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Willa was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 106.0°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south-southeast of Mazatlan, Mexico.  Willa was moving toward the north-northeast at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is 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 Playa Perula to San Blas and from Mazatlan to Bahia Tempehuaya, Mexico.

An eyewall replacement cycle occurred in the core of Hurricane Willa on Tuesday.  When the original inner eyewall dissipated, the core of Willa was larger even though the maximum sustained wind speed was slower.  Winds to hurricane force extend out about 35 miles from the the center of Hurricane Willa.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 100 miles from the center of circulation.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Willa is 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 12.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) s 34.8.  Hurricane Willa is capable of causing regional major damage.

Hurricane Willa will produce hurricane force winds along the coast between Tecuala and Mazatlan.  Those winds will be capable of causing major damage.  The winds will also push water toward the coast and a storm surge of 10 to 12 feet (3 to 4 meters) is possible.  Hurricane Willa will dissipate fairly quickly when it moves over the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains.  However, Willa will drop locally heavy rain over the southern part of Sinaloa and over Durango.  The locally heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.