Tropical Storm Flossie continues to strengthen in Pacific: See tracker

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11 hours ago

While Tropical Storm Barry has largely dissipated in the Atlantic Ocean, another system was still swirling in the Pacific on Monday, June 30.
Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to bring areas of heavy rain to the southwestern coast of Mexico in the coming days and will likely strengthen into a hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said.
The hurricane center said Flossie, currently located about 185 miles south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, in the Pacific Ocean, has maximum sustained winds near 45 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane center forecasters said "steady-to-rapid strengthening" is forecast during the next couple of days.
Flossie is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, and isolated maximum totals of 10 inches are possible across portions of the southern Mexican states of Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima and Jalisco through Wednesday, the hurricane center said. The rain could lead to areas of life-threatening flooding and mudslides.
The tourist destination of Cabo San Lucas is now in the possible path of Flossie. The storm was forecast to become a hurricane overnight Monday but then peak by Wednesday and turn back into a tropical storm as it passes near the southern end of Mexico's Baja California peninsula later in the week.
Swells generated by Flossie are also likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
The hurricane center said Monday morning that Barry has dissoved over eastern Mexico but is still expected to produce some rain.
The remnants of Barry are currently located about 100 miles northwest of Tampico, Mexico, according to the NHC. Maximum sustained winds were near 30 mph with higher gusts.
Hurricane center forecasters said what's left of the storm is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches, and isolated maximum totals of 8 inches are possible across the Mexican states of San Luis Potosi and Tamaulipas through Monday. The rainfall could produce life-threatening flooding and mudslides, the hurricane center said.
Forecasters are also watching for disturbances off the Southeast coast of the U.S. starting around the Fourth of July.
"A frontal boundary is expected to stall and weaken off the southeast U.S. coast late this week," the hurricane center said. "An area of low pressure could develop from the weakening front by the weekend off the southeast U.S., over Florida, or over the eastern Gulf.
"Some gradual tropical or subtropical development could occur thereafter as the low moves little," the hurricane center said.
Overall, rain chances are increasing along Florida's Gulf Coast through the next several days. Heavy rainfall may contribute to flash flooding at times, according to the National Weather Service regional forecast offices.
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends.
Prepare now for hurricanes: Here's what you should do to stay safe before a storm arrives
Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [e-mail].
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Flossie: See path tracker, spaghetti models