Tropical Depression Two Forms in the Bay of Campeche

At 4:00 PM CDT Saturday, the National Hurricane Center designated Tropical Depression Two in the Bay of Campeche, following signs of increased organization and a confirmed closed circulation from an Air Force reconnaissance mission. The system had previously been tracked as Invest 91L and is now showing more robust convection and a consolidating center.

As of the first advisory, the depression is centered near 19.3°N, 94.2°W, about 130 miles east of Veracruz, Mexico, moving west-northwest at 7 mph. Maximum sustained winds are 30 mph, and additional strengthening is expected. Forecast guidance indicates the system could become a tropical storm by Sunday, just before making landfall on the Mexican coastline, likely near or north of Tuxpan, during the evening or overnight hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Boca de Catan to Tecolutla, where tropical storm conditions are expected to arrive by Sunday afternoon. Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are forecast for parts of Veracruz, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas, with localized amounts up to 10 inches, which may result in flash flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous terrain.

Despite being a short-lived system, this tropical depression serves as a reminder that even weak storms can bring dangerous impacts. There is no threat to the U.S. Gulf Coast, but residents in eastern Mexico should prepare for tropical storm conditions beginning Sunday and monitor updates from local officials and the National Hurricane Center.

If the system strengthens into a tropical storm, it will take the name Barry.

Stay tuned for continued updates as the storm progresses toward landfall Sunday night.

Category: ALL POSTS, Headlines, Tropical