Hurricane Priscilla has lost its powerful status and has been reclassified as a tropical storm while making its way along the western coast of Mexico, with Tropical Storm Jerry gaining strength in the Atlantic as it approaches the Leeward Islands, according to forecasters early Thursday.
Originally nearing the threshold for major hurricane status on Tuesday, Priscilla diminished to a tropical storm by Wednesday.
As of Thursday morning, the tropical storm was located approximately 270 miles from the southern tip of Baja California, progressing northwest at 8 mph, with sustained winds reaching around 50 mph, as reported by the US National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Priscilla has been causing high surf and gusty winds in Baja California Sur, prompting a tropical storm watch from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro.
Forecasters have warned of potential heavy rains and flash flooding as the storm continues along Mexico’s Pacific coastline and moves through the southwestern United States into the weekend.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Jerry was positioned about 395 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, moving west-northwest at 20 mph with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, per the center’s reports early Thursday.
Jerry is anticipated to gradually intensify and might reach hurricane strength by the weekend.
Between Thursday and early Friday, 2 to 4 inches of rain could pour down across the Leeward Islands, increasing the risk of flash flooding, according to forecasters.
A tropical storm watch is currently in effect for several regions, including Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, St. Barts, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, and Guadeloupe, along with nearby islands, the center remarked.
In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Octave has diminished significantly as of Wednesday night but remains active as of early Thursday.
It poses no threat to land and is expected to dissipate by the end of Thursday, as reported by forecasters.
Octave was observed about 430 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, moving east-northeast at 18 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph according to the center’s latest updates.
