Hurricane Newton to unleash flooding and mudslides on Baja California, northern Mexico

By Eric Leister, Meteorologist

September 5,2016; 9:00PM,EDT

 

 

Hurricane Newton will bring dangerous flooding and mudslides to parts of northern Mexico, including in popular tourist locations in Baja California, through the middle of the week.
The cyclone has already unleashed widespread 75-150 mm (3-6 inches) of rainfall along Mexico's western coastline with local amounts approaching 300 mm (12 inches).
While weather will begin to improve in western Mexico during the next 12 hours, conditions will deteriorate across the Mexican states of Baja California Sur, Sinaloa and Sonora.

Baja California Sur will bear the brunt of Newton's force as the strengthening cyclone is expected to make landfall near Cabo San Lucas around midday Tuesday as a category 1 hurricane.
Widespread sustained winds over 80 km/h (50 mph) are expected along with gusts up to 130 km/h (80 mph). The winds will result in a high risk for power outages and possible property damage.
This animated GIF shows Newton tracking toward Baja California. (NOAA/Satellite)
Newton will rapidly advance northward passing just west of La Paz during the afternoon. This rapid movement will result in a second landfall in coastal Sonora on Wednesday afternoon.
While the storm will be weakening, locally damaging winds will be possible across northern Baja California Sur, southern Baja California and western Sonora.
Rainfall totals of 150-300 mm (6-12 inches) are expected across Baja California Sur and western Sonora through Wednesday with locally higher amounts. Flash flooding and mudslides are likely.
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Flash flooding is also possible in eastern Baja California where localized amounts over 100 mm (4 inches) are possible Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Rain, heavy at times, is expected at times across Sinaloa through Wednesday with the hardest-hit areas receiving more than 150 mm (6 inches) of rain. Flash flooding and mudslides are possible.
Heavy rain and flooding will be possible across parts of the southwestern United States later this week as Newton transitions into a tropical rainstorm and continues to track northward.