Watching Raymond and Lorenzo

Tropical Storm Lorenzo and Hurricane Raymond

We have two named storms in our hemisphere this week - one each in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Tropical Storm Lorenzo

T.S. Lorenzo, courtesy NASA

Lorenzo, like most of the other named storms that have developed in the Atlantic this year, doesn't pose much of a threat.  Swirling in the central Atlantic and just barely a tropical storm, with winds of 40 miles per hour, he's far from land, and on a track to stay that way.

Forecasts call for the system to move generally northeast, and to degenerate into a tropical depression within a couple of days.

Hurricane Raymond

Hurricane Raymond, Courtesy NASA

In the eastern Pacific, it's a different story.  With sustained winds of 120 mph, Raymond is the first major hurricane of the season for either basin.  He's currently delivering category three winds, heavy rains, and high seas just off the Mexican coast.

The well known resort of Acapulco is currently under a Hurricane Watch and a Tropical Storm Warning.  Though the storm is predicted to begin a westward movement today or tomorrow, it could come a bit closer to shore before doing so.

Mariners will be avoiding the tempestuous seas, and wise souls will be staying well clear of the dangerous surf.

In any event, residents from Acapulco northward to Lazaro Cardenas are in for a rough couple of days, with possible flooding and mudslides brought on by tropical storm conditions.   We wish them well and pray for their safety.

Cruising to Mexico? Be careful!

Once again, cruise passengers have had a nasty experience in Mexico. 
According to news reports, 22 passengers from the Carnival Splendor were robbed at gunpoint while on an excursion in Puerto Vallarta.  

The story in the Los Angeles Times says "hooded gunmen"  intercepted a tour bus, taking money, jewelry, cameras, and other valuables from the cruisers.

Apparently, even passports were taken, which is particularly troubling.

Cruiselines have recently cancelled port calls in Mazatlan, another previously popular port on the so-called "Mexican Riviera" cruises.  Will  Puerto Villarta be next?

NOTE:  The U.S. State Department expanded its warnings for travel to Mexico earlier this month. 

TS Arlene Heads for Mexico. Princess - not So Much.

Arlene Heading for Mexico

Well. 2011 Atlantic Basin hurricane activity has started. Tropical Storm Arlene, is on her way to somewhere near Tampico, Mexico.  The terrain around there is hilly to mountainous. Copious rainfall in such a region can mean life threatening flash flooding and even mudslides.  Arlene is first on the list of  2011 Hurricane Names... let's hope we don't get too far through that list this hear.

Hurricane Hunters have been flying into the storm, and  found maximum sustained winds of 50 mph this morning.  It's expected to make landfall early tomorrow. 

We are keeping the people of the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, San Luis Potosi, and Nuevo Leon, in our thoughts.  There are Hurricane Watches and Tropical Storm Warnings posted for these area.

 Princess - Not So Much 

Meanwhile, in case you haven't heard, Princess Cruises has cancelled previously scheduled stops at Puerto Vallarta for the remainder of the year.  This news came out a few days ago.  The US State Department has a travel warning posted for the Mexican state of Jalisco, which includes Puerto Vallarto.  The warning cites drug-related violence. 

Mazatlan has seen its cruise ship port calls curtailed recently, as well.

So, if there is a Mexican Rivera cruise in your future, it would seem itinerary options are narrowing considerably.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Cruising in Hurricane Season

2011 Hurricane Predictions

Second Named Storm of EPAC Hurricane Season Strengthens

Tropical Storm Beatriz is approaching hurricane strength off the southwestern coast of Mexico.   A Hurricane Hunter aircraft is inside the system as I write this, and it would not be a surprise for them to find a hurricane.

Watches and warnings are posted  for portions of the Mexican coast.  Rainbands from the system are already affecting the coast, and tropical storm conditions are expected later this afternoon. 

The National Hurricane Center is predicting rainfall of 6 to 12 inches (and as much as 20 inches in some areas), which could result in life threatening flash floods and mudslides. 

We wish our neighbors in the affected Mexican states of  Guerrero, Jalisco, Colima, and Michoacan the best, and will be thinking of them.

Meanwhile, for our cruising friends - at this point, there have been no announcements of itinerary changes as a result of (apparently soon to be Hurricane) Beatriz, but would it be well to stay aprised of the situation.

Related Articles:

2011 EPAC Hurricane Season Journal

Hurricane Names