According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), issued at 11:00 a.m. PST, a system off the coast of Mexico that, as of Thursday had barely been a tropical depression, has since been upgraded to full-fledged Tropical Storm Erick.
Erick is located approximately 135 miles south of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico and approximately 240 miles south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. The storm is moving to the west-northwest at approximately 12 mph and is expected to continue on this course for the next 24 to 48 hours. Forecasters say the center of Erick will move parallel to the shore but remain off the southwestern coast of Mexico.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to around 65 mph, with higher gusts being recorded. Tropical storm force winds are currently extending outward up to 90 miles from the center of the tropical storm, which is expected to increase in strength and be upgraded to a hurricane by Saturday.
A tropical storm warning is currently in effect for Zihuatanejo, Mexico to La Fortuna. As such, tropical storm conditions are expected in the affected area within the next 36 hours.
A tropical storm watch is in effect in Mexico west of La Fortuna to Cabo Corrientes. Residents in this area are advised that tropical storm conditions may develop in the area and that they should prepare for this possibility.
The NHC warns that hazards affecting land include rainfall and wind.
Forecasters anticipate Erick will drop approximately 3 to 5 inches of rain over southwestern Oaxaca, southern Guerrero, southern Michoaca, Colima and southern Jalisco. It's possible that in some areas, isolated maximum amounts of rainfall accumulations may reach or top 8 inches. Be advised that these rains may cause potentially life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
In terms of winds affecting the Mexican coast, tropical storm conditions are expected to spread westward across the aforementioned warning area on Friday and through Saturday. By late in the day on Saturday, tropical storm conditions are possible west of La Fortuna.
The NHC is slated to release its next public advisory on this storm at approximately 2:00 p.m. PST. Stay tuned for continued coverage.