Hurricane, Patricia
Photo Credit: NOAA
Hurricane, Patricia
Photo Credit: NOAA

It’s official, Hurricane Patricia is the strongest storm in recorded history.

That news is coming out of NOAA, which is forecasting 200+ mph winds associated with the storm that is predicted to pummel Mexico today.

According to the National Weather Service, “Patricia is expected to remain an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane through landfall” and multiple agencies are telling residents of the west coast of Mexico to brace for its impact.

The last storms that came close to Patricia’s intensity were Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Both of these storms resulted in mass devastation.

-Hurricane Camille resulted in 259 deaths and $9.13 billion in damages.

-Hurricane Andrew resulted in 65 deaths and $26 billion in damages 

Hurricane, Patricia, storm
Hurricane Winds | Photo Credit: Colin and Sarah Northway via Flickr Creative Commons

NOAA Report:

At 100 PM CDT (1800 UTC), the center of Hurricane Patricia was located near latitude 18.2 North, longitude 105.3 West. Patricia is now moving toward the north near 12 mph (19 km/h). A turn toward the north-northeast and a faster forward motion are expected this afternoon, with this motion continuing tonight and Saturday.

On the forecast track, the center of Patricia should cross the coast in the hurricane warning area during the next several hours. After landfall, the center of Patricia is expected to move quickly north-northeastward across western and northern Mexico.

Reports from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds remain near 200 mph (325 km/h) with higher gusts. Patricia is a category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible this afternoon, but Patricia is expected to remain an extremely dangerous category 5 hurricane through landfall. After landfall, Patricia is forecast to rapidly weaken over the mountains of Mexico.

NOAA’s Projected Hazards

WIND:

Hurricane conditions should reach the hurricane warning area during the next few hours, with the worst conditions likely this afternoon and this evening. Tropical storm conditions are now spreading across portions of the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion. Hurricane conditions are possible in the hurricane watch area today.

RAINFALL:

Patricia is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 8 to 12 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches, over the Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, and Guerrero through Saturday. These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

STORM SURGE:

An extremely dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding near and to the right of where the center makes landfall. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

SURF:

Swells generated by Patricia are already affecting portions of the southern coast of Mexico, and will spread northwestward during the next day or so. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

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