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Rick is currently moving WNW at 12 miles per hour. While it is still offshore, authorities in Acapulco Mexico are warning residents that rains from the outer band of the hurricane could cause landslides and flooding. The extreme winds that accompany a category 4 hurricane are not expected to reach landfall today.
Currently Rick has sustained winds of 145 miles per hour and an estimated central pressure of near 938 mb. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) disclosed this morning that with Rick’s expected growth, sustained winds will increase to 160 miles per hour on Sunday, which will make it a category 5 hurricane.
The 160 mile per hour winds are not currently forecast to be sustained, and will likely drop on Monday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward nearly 100 miles from the storm center with hurricane force winds extending approximately 40 miles outward from the eye.
If Rick continues on its current course, which is expected, it is expected to track parallel the coast of Mexico for the remainder of the weekend.
The storm is expected to encounter cooler surface water temperatures and a southwesterly wind shear early next week, which should cause it to weaken before turning towards the central and southwestern tip of Baja. It is currently forecast to make landfall late Wednesday night in Baja California.
Tropical storm and hurricane watches are in effect in Baja throughout the weekend.
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Written by Shelby Bateson
Posted October 17th, 2009 by Shelby Bateson
