Sonia Upgraded To Tropical Storm As It Approaches Mexico

The United States National Hurricane Center has upgraded Sonia from a tropical depression to a tropical storm as it has gained strength in the pacific. This is yet another powerful storm that is threatening the western coast of Mexico and the Baja California peninsula. There is expected to be very heavy rain, leading to life-threatening flash floods and mudslides that could threaten the people of Mexico when the storm makes landfall.

Winds from the storm have grown to only 40 mile per hour winds but those numbers could grow before Sonia makes landfall. This is an area that has seen an increasing number of tropical storms as of late. Most recently, Tropical Storm Karen moved through relatively the same area. Although North America has been spared of any major hurricanes this year, the western coast of Mexico has been hit with many smaller storms that have dropped heavy rains and caused landslides because of it. Each added storm that reaches areas that already have the ground saturated with water increase the risks of these hazards. Sonia is only a couple hundred miles away from coast now. I will continue to update the storm if its strength picks up.

Sources:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_ep3+shtml/203222.shtml?5-daynl

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/03/tropical-storm-sonia_n_4208321.html?ir=World