Tropical Storm Karl nears Mexico’s coast, where it could drop up to 8 inches of rain
Tropical Storm Karl is dropping heavy rain on southern Mexico Friday night, as it slowly moves closer to making landfall. However, forecasters now say it will lose its tropical storm might before it touches the coast.
Forecasters expect Karl, the 11th named storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, to reach Mexico’s coast Saturday afternoon with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.
It’s likely Karl will bring 2 to 5 inches of rain across portions of Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas and Oaxaca states in Mexico through Sunday morning, and that some areas may get up to 8 inches.
“These rains can produce flash flooding, along with mudslides, in higher terrain,” forecasters said.
On Friday evening, Karl’s maximum sustained winds weakened to near 40 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters are also watching a disturbance off the coast of Africa with low chances of any formation this week.
The storm is not a threat to Florida or the rest of the United States.
Where is Karl?
The storm was 65 miles northwest of Ciudad Del Carmen, Mexico, and 135 miles northeast of Coatzacoalcos, according to the hurricane center’s 8 p.m. advisory Friday, and it was steadily moving south-southwest at nearly 5 mph.
The forecast shows Karl weakening to depression before it reaches the coast with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.
What will Karl bring?
“Heavy rainfall associated with Karl could produce flash flooding,with mudslides in areas of higher terrain, across portions of Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas and Oaxaca states in Mexico,” the hurricane center said.
Forecasters expect Karl’s tropical storm-force winds, which extend up to 70 miles from the center, will be felt late along Mexico’s coast from Coatzacoalcos to Sabancuy, which is under a tropical storm warning.
Once Karl makes landfall, it will then quickly weaken and dissipate Saturday, the hurricane center said.
Disturbance off the coast of Africa
Forecasters are watching a tropical wave several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, the hurricane center said.
“Upper-level winds are expected to increase over the system during the weekend, therefore significant development is not anticipated while the wave moves westward or west-northwestward at about 10 mph,” forecasters said.
The system only has a low 10% chance of formation over the next five days.
What’s the next storm name?
Lisa is the next name on the list for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
This story was originally published October 12, 2022 at 6:46 AM.
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