Hurricane Darby becomes category three storm off Mexico’s southern coast
June 25th, 2010 - 10:20 pm ICT by BNO NewsMIAMI (BNO NEWS) — Hurricane Darby, the second hurricane of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season, strengthened into a category three storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Friday, U.S. forecasters said.
The storm, which first formed as a tropical storm on early Wednesday, continues to strengthen rapidly, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Darby is the second major hurricane of the 2010 Eastern Pacific season.
“Some fluctuations in intensity are likely today and Saturday but a gradual weakening is forecast thereafter,” said forecaster Avila.
As of 8 a.m. PDT, Darby’s small eye was located approximately 395 kilometers (245 miles) south-southwest of Acapulco, a city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. The storm is moving moving toward the west-northwest at a speed of approximately 11 kilometers (7 miles) per hour.
“This motion is expected to continue during the next 24 to 36 hours but it should begin to meander thereafter,” Avila added.
Hurricane force winds were extending outward up to 35 kilometers (25 miles) from the center on early Friday. “Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles, 110 kilometers,” Avila said.
A 5-day forecast from the U.S. National Hurricane Center shows Darby is expected weaken back to tropical storm status by Tuesday, and set a course for Mexico’s southern coast.
It is not the first time a tropical cyclone was named Darby. In July 1980 and July 1986, tropical storms named Darby formed southwest of Acapulco but both dissipated within days without causing any damage.
In July 1992, category three hurricane Darby formed off Mexico’s Pacific coast. Although it never made landfall directly, the effects from the storm caused flooding in Acapulco. The Excelsior newspaper reported that at least three people were killed, while nearly 200 buildings were damaged.
In July 1998 and July 2004, hurricanes named Darby also formed in the Pacific - both reaching category three status. Both never made landfall, and no casualties were reported.
- Tropical Storm Aletta forms far off Mexico's Pacific coast, no threat - May 15, 2012
- Category four hurricane Hilary could threaten Baja California - Sep 24, 2011
- Tropical Storm Eugene forms in the Pacific, no threat to land - Jul 31, 2011
- Tropical storm Beatriz forms off the Pacific coast of Mexico; hurricane watch issued - Jun 20, 2011
- Category two hurricane Paula takes aim for Cuba - Oct 13, 2010
- Tropical Storm Eugene is far away from Mexico - Aug 02, 2011
- Hurricane Alex to become category two storm prior to landfall - Jun 30, 2010
- Powerful Hurricane Karl makes landfall on Mexico's Gulf coast - Sep 18, 2010
- Tropical Storm Dora forms south of Guatemala, expected to become a hurricane - Jul 19, 2011
- Tropical Storm Frank forms off Mexico's Pacific coast, warning issued - Aug 22, 2010
- Hurricane warning issued for Texas, Mexico as tropical storm Alex nears - Jun 29, 2010
- Hurricane Danielle Might Strengthen To Category 3 - Aug 24, 2010
- Tropical Storm Kenneth forms in the Eastern Pacific, expected to strengthen - Nov 21, 2011
- Tropical Storm Katia forms in the far eastern Atlantic, set to become major hurricane - Aug 30, 2011
- Hurricane Irene weakens slightly as it marches toward North Carolina - Aug 26, 2011
Tags: 2004 hurricanes, bno, category three hurricane, forecaster avila, forecasters, hurricane darby, hurricane force winds, landfall, least three people, national hurricane center, pacific hurricane season, s pacific, south southwest, storm force winds, tropical cyclone, tropical storm force, tropical storm force winds, tropical storm status, tropical storms, west northwest