Tropical Storm Mario Forms Off Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Tropical Storm Mario formed Friday off Mexico’s Pacific coast and was expected to bring wind, heavy rain and possible flash flooding to portions of the country, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Described as “mini” in the NHC’s morning advisory, Mario had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (64 kph). A tropical storm watch was in effect for parts of the state of Michoacán, spanning from Lázaro Cárdenas to Punta San Telmo.

Mario was centered about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south-southwest of Zihuatanejo and about 60 miles (97 kilometers) south-southeast of Lázaro Cárdenas, the Miami-based hurricane center said. Forecasters cautioned that the storm could produce gusty winds along the coast and heavy rainfall over land, creating conditions conducive to flash flooding.

The NHC’s watch signals that tropical-storm-force winds and hazardous conditions are possible within the specified area, and authorities typically advise residents and mariners in the watch zone to monitor updates and prepare for rapid changes. The advisory noted the system’s small size but underscored that a compact storm can still produce locally intense impacts, particularly where terrain and saturated soils increase the risk of flooding and landslides.

Pacific storms that track near Mexico’s southwestern shores can quickly raise threats to coastal communities and infrastructure, including storm-driven waves and heavy rainfall over mountainous inland areas. Mexican civil protection agencies and local officials frequently coordinate watches and warnings with meteorological services to alert vulnerable communities, though the NHC advisory did not detail any specific actions by Mexican authorities.

Mario’s future intensity and track remained subject to change, and the NHC said it would issue updates as new observations and model guidance became available. Residents and visitors in the watch area were urged to follow local advisories and to be prepared for possible flash flooding and hazardous marine conditions as the system moves closer to shore.