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Hurricane Franklin Brings Wind and Heavy Rain to Mexico

Hurricane Franklin brought gusty winds and heavy rain to parts of Mexico when it made landfall on Wednesday night.  The center of Hurricane Franklin made landfall between Veracruz and Nautla near the town of Lechuguillas, Mexico.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (140 km) at the time of landfall, which made Franklin a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  Franklin weakened to a tropical storm as it moved inland during the night.

At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 19.8°N and longitude 98.3°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) east-northeast of the Mexico City, Mexico.  Franklin was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Rojo to Boca Partido, Mexico.

Franklin brought hurricane force winds to the portion of the coast north of Veracruz, Mexico.  Those winds pushed water toward the shore and created a storm surge along the coast.  The highest surge may have reached 6 to 9 feet (2 to 3 meters) near and just to the north of where the center made landfall.  Winds blowing up the slopes of mountains produced very heavy rain and flooding could be occurring in some locations.  The heavy rain will continue as Tropical Storm Franklin moves west across central Mexico.

Tropical Storm Franklin will continue to weaken as it moves across Mexico.  Heavy rain will continue to fall over portions of central Mexico and the potential for additional flooding exists.  The mountains are likely to disrupt the low level circulation.  However, the middle and upper portions of the circulation could remain intact.  Some models are forecasting that Franklin, or its remnants, could redevelop when it reaches the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.

Franklin Strengthens Into a Hurricane Northeast of Veracruz

Formerly Tropical Storm Franklin strengthened into a hurricane northeast of Veracruz on Friday afternoon.  Franklin is the first hurricane to form over the Atlantic basin in 2017.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT the center of Hurricane Franklin was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 94.9°W which put it about 105 miles (170 km) northeast of Veracruz, Mexico.  Franklin was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto de Veracruz to Cabo Rojo, Mexico.  A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Rojo to Rio Panuco.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Dos Bocas to Puerto de Veracruz and from Tuxpan to Barra del Tordo.

An elliptical eye formed at the center of Hurricane Franklin and a reconnaissance plane detected surface winds in excess of 74 m.p.h. (119 km/h).  Based on data from the plane and an improved appearance on satellite imagery, the National Hurricane Center upgrade Franklin to hurricane status in its 5:00 p.m. EDT advisory.

The structure of Hurricane Franklin improved on Friday.  An elliptical eye oriented north to south formed at the center of circulation.  A ring of thunderstorms completely surrounded the eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of the ring of storms.  Storms in the core of the circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping out mass and allowing the surface pressure to decrease.  A primary band of showers and thunderstorms coiled inward toward the core of Hurricane Franklin,  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Franklin.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 35 miles (55 km) northeast of the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (225 km) on the northern side of Franklin and about 100 miles (160 km) on the southern side of the hurricane).

Hurricane Franklin could intensify further before it makes landfall.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge over northern Mexico is generating northerly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  However, those winds are not very strong and the vertical wind shear is minor and it did not prevent Franklin from becoming a hurricane.  Hurricane Franklin has about another 6 to 12 hours to strengthen.  Once Franklin makes landfall and moves into the mountains, the surface circulation will weaken quickly.

A subtropical ridge is steering Hurricane Franklin toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue.  Hurricanes often turn slightly south of west when the approach the coast of the southwestern Bay of Campeche.  On its anticipated track the center Hurricane Franklin could make landfall on the coast of Mexico north of Veracruz in less than 12 hours.  The most likely landfall would be between Veracruz and Nautla.

Hurricane Franklin will bring strong gusty winds, a storm surge and heavy rain at the coast.  The storm surge could reach 6 to 9 feet (2 to 3 meters) near and just to the north of where the center makes landfall.  Franklin could produce very heavy rain when it reaches the mountains and flash flooding is a serious risk.

Tropical Storm Franklin Moves Over Bay of Campeche and Strengthens

Tropical Storm Franklin moved off the Yucatan peninsula over the Bay of Campeche and began to strengthen on Tuesday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 20.3°N and longitude 91.3°W which put it about 325 miles (525 km) east-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico.  Franklin was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto de Veracruz to Tuxpan, Mexico.  A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Tuxpan to Rio Panuco.  A Tropical Storm Waring was in effect for the portion of the coast from Celestun to Puerto de Veracruz and from Tuxpan to Rio Panuco.

Although Tropical Storm Franklin weakened as it moved across the Yucatan peninsula on Tuesday, its circulation maintained its structural integrity.  In fact, a tighter inner core developed at the center of the circulation while the tropical storm moved over land.  New thunderstorms began to form near the center of Tropical Storm Franklin as soon as the center moved back over water.  A primary band of thunderstorms began to wrap tightly around the eastern and northern sides of the center.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms began to form over the Bay of Campeche.  Thunderstorms in the core were generating upper level divergence which is pumping away mass.

Tropical Storm Franklin will move over an environment very favorable for intensification on Wednesday.  Franklin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear.  An upper level trough over the Bahamas may enhance the upper divergence by creating an outflow channel to the east of Franklin.  Tropical Storm Franklin will intensify on Wednesday and there could be a period of rapid intensification.  Franklin is likely to become a hurricane.

Tropical Storm Franklin is being steered to the west by a subtropical high to its northeast.  A general westerly motion is expected to continue for another day or two.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Franklin will approach the coast of Mexico north of Veracruz on Wednesday night.  Franklin will bring gusty winds, heavy rain and a storm surge at the coast.  When Franklin moves inland the mountains will enhance the rising motion and very heavy rain could fall.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods.