.AGATHA RAPIDLY STRENGTHENING. - a podcast by Todd Nardone

.AGATHA RAPIDLY STRENGTHENING...

...ADDITIONAL INTENSIFICATION EXPECTED BEFORE THE HURRICANE REACHES THE COAST OF SOUTHERN MEXICO ON MONDAY...

* A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Salina Cruz to Lagunas de Chacahua.

* A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Salina Cruz eastward to Barra De Tonala.

* A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Salina Cruz eastward to Boca de Pijijiapan and Lagunas de Chacahua westward to Punta Maldonado.

Hurricane conditions are expected in the hurricane warning area and possibly in the watch area on Monday, with tropical storm conditions beginning tonight or early Monday.

At 10 a.m. CDT, the center of Hurricane Agatha was located over the eastern Pacific Ocean about 200 miles (320 km) west-southwest of the Puerto Angel, Mexico. Agatha is moving toward the north-northwest near 2 mph (4 km/h).  A turn toward the northeast is expected later today, with a motion toward the northeast continuing through Monday night.  On the forecast track, the center of Agatha will approach the southern coast of Mexico later today and tonight and make landfall there on Monday.

Agatha is rapidly strengthening.  Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts.  Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km). The estimated minimum central pressure is 981 mb (28.97 inches).

Additional  strengthening is expected during the next 12 to 24 hours and Agatha is forecast to be near major hurricane strength when it reaches the coast of southern Mexico on Monday.

Storm surge is expected to produce dangerous coastal flooding in areas of onshore winds near and to the east of where thecenter of Agatha makes landfall.  Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Agatha will produce heavy rains over portions of southern Mexico by later today into Tuesday night. The following rainfall amounts are currently expected:

- Mexican state of Oaxaca: 10 to 16 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches possible. Life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides may occur.

- Mexican state of Chiapas: 5 to 10 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches possible. Life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides may occur.

- Eastern portions of the Mexican state of Guerrero: 2 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches possible. Life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides may occur.

- Mexican states of Vera Cruz and Tabasco: 2 to 4 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches possible.

- Eastern portions of the Mexican state of Guerrero: 2 to 6 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches possible. Life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides may occur.

- Mexican states of Vera Cruz and Tabasco: 2 to 4 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches possible.

The next complete advisory will be issued by NHC at  4 p.m. CDT - www.nhc.noaa.gov/#Agatha

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