The height of the hurricane season is so far sparing the Yucatán Peninsula from the worst. But a look at the weather map shows the region flanked by fierce weather systems.
The eleventh tropical storm of the season, Katia, formed early today and is gaining strength to the west of the Yucatán Peninsula.
In the U.S., the National Hurricane Center issued its 5 a.m. advisory, saying that Katia is centered about 105 miles east of Tampico, with sustained winds of 40 mph.
It is expected to strengthen, but remain offshore until Friday when it could make landfall on Mexico’s mainland.
Tropical Storm Jose gained strength Wednesday in the Atlantic Ocean and is forecast to become a hurricane by early Thursday.
José formed Tuesday in the Atlantic ocean, more than 1,000 miles behind Hurricane Irma. So far, José is following Irma west toward the Caribbean.
Jose was moving west at 13 mph and was located about 1,225 miles east of the Lesser Antilles with sustained winds up to 60 mph, the NHC said in its 5 a.m. advisory. Jose’s wind speeds are expected to accelerate as it moves north-northwesterly.
The center’s forecast track shows José’s eye passing over parts of the Lesser Antilles Saturday afternoon and nearing Puerto Rico on Sunday as a hurricane before it makes a turn toward the northwest. José’s preliminary forecast track has it moving north of Irma’s path, toward North Carolina.
