Arlene Unleashes Torrents of Rain on Mexico
This enhanced infrared satellite image shows Arlene Thursday afternoon inland over northeastern Mexico.
"Bands of heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms will continue to lash northeastern Mexico..."
Tropical Storm Arlene (now dissipated), the first tropical system of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, plowed ashore in Mexico early Thursday morning, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the northeastern part of the country.
The center of the storm came ashore at Cabo Rojo, Mexico, or just to the south of Tampico, around 4:00 a.m. central time Thursday, packing estimated maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, with higher gusts.
Bands of heavy rain with embedded thunderstorms will continue to lash northeastern Mexico today. There can even be some additional rainfall in South Texas.
Earlier this week International Expert Meteorologist Jim Andrews said that more than a foot of rain will fall across the rugged terrain of Mexico by the weekend, long after the center of the storm has dissipated.
As of Friday, in the state of Vera Cruz, Mexico, Tuxpan has received more than 10 inches of rain from Arlene with over 14 inches falling on Tampico. Meanwhile, indirect rainfall has surpassed 5 inches over the past couple of days on the west coast in Acapulco.
Farther north along the Rio Grande Valley and through far southern Texas, rainfall amounts exceeded 4 inches in a few locations around Brownsville. Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski points out that in these areas, the benefits of the rainfall will outweigh the problems possible from localized flooding.
Along the coast, there will be an increased threat for rip currents, high waves and tidal flooding. Beachgoers and operators of small craft should exercise extreme caution through Friday.
While June tropical systems are rarer compared to other months of the hurricane season, residents in this area know they are not immune. Exactly one year ago today, a stronger Hurricane Alex was bearing down on nearly the same area, making landfall along the coast of Tamaulipas.
Meteorologist Eric Leister contributed to this story.
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