1st hurricane of season off Mexico Adolph, 200 miles off Acapulco, causes intense rain on coast

MSNBC NEWS SERVICES

MEXICO CITY, May 27 — Tropical Storm Adolph became the first hurricane of the season Sunday, causing intense rain along Mexico’s southern coast as it slowly moved toward shore, civil defense authorities said.

ADOLPH, WHICH WAS DECLARED a hurricane based on its sustained winds of 81 mph, was about 200 miles southeast of Acapulco late Sunday afternoon.

Forecasters said a hurricane watch was likely for Guerrero and Oaxaca states on the southern coast later in the day, but the timing was uncertain because the storm was moving slowly. The forecasters estimated that the storm could pass near Manzanillo, roughly 200 miles northwest of Acapulco.

The national Civil Protection Administration said Jalisco and Colima states would also likely be placed under alert sometime Monday.

Adolph was dumping heavy rain in Oaxaca, Guerrero and Michoacán states, but no significant damage had been reported by Sunday afternoon.

The eastern Pacific hurricane season began May 15 and ends Nov. 30. No hurricanes have been reported yet in the Atlantic. Its season begins June 1.

Storms are classified as tropical depressions when their winds are below 39 mph, tropical storms when the winds range from 39 mph to 73 mph, and hurricanes when the winds exceed 73 mph.

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Here's hoping it's not strong enough to cross into the Gulf. Dennis

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

Answers

We have had 2 weeks of cold, rain, windy conditions......but before that we had above normal temps.......I really do wonder it "someone" is playing games with our weather.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

Whether or not the hurricane is strong enough to cross into the Gulf, it's a very good reminder for those of us who might be affected by hurricanes to check on regular hurricane supplies. (I bought replacement fluorescent tubes for our camping lantern just today!)

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

When I was working in Alexandria VA, I would occasionally pass a restaurant named "Attilla's Pizza." I found the name a bit surprising, but told myself that surely the name "Adolph" has gone out of use forever. But one never knows, do one.

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

Heck, I almost wish it WOULD cross into the Gulf, and stall offshore Tampa for a few days. No rain in I don't know ow many weeks... gotta be going on two months now. :(

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

We're getting our usual wetness, it seems. Lots of showers around here, and the humidity is awful.

Current temp at 9:22 am today is 75 with now wind to speak of, and complete cloud cover.

'course this won't make anyone turn off their sprinklers.....

-- Anonymous, May 28, 2001

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/149/world/Hurricane_Adolph_gains_force _o:.shtml

Hurricane Adolph gains force off Mexican coast

By Associated Press, 5/29/2001 00:02

MEXICO CITY (AP) The first hurricane of the season gained force off Mexico's southern coast, but forecasters said it was likely to remain offshore.

Hurricane Adolph was in the Pacific Ocean about 180 miles southwest of the resort of Zihuatenejo, and was heading northwest Monday. Its sustained winds increased during the day to reach near 145 mph, with higher gusts.

Forecasters said it was expected to weaken by Tuesday but would remain a powerful hurricane.

A hurricane watch was no longer in effect for Mexico's southern coast. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the storm center was likely to remain offshore, though its outer bands could cause flooding in coastal areas.

The hurricane was the first of the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which officially begins May 15 and ends Nov. 30.

No hurricanes have been reported yet in the Atlantic. Its season begins June 1.

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2001