Contrary to the forecasts of recent days, Hurricane Otis is intensifying alarmingly in the Pacific just before making landfall in the Acapulco region.
Terrifying power
The absence of shear and the exceptionally warm waters of the Pacific allow Hurricane Otis to intensify at an incredible rate. At present, the cyclone is generating sustained winds of over 235 km/h. It has reached Category 4 status. It has reached category 4, and according to the latest forecasts, Otis is set to increase in intensity to category 5 just before making landfall.
Fig. 1: Intense cyclone Otis approaches Acapulco; Source: NOAA
A high-risk region
The seaside resort of Acapulco is likely to be hit hard by Otis. Winds are expected to exceed 250 km/h, reaching category 5. On Tuesday afternoon, Otis moved up one category on the Saffir-Simpson scale per hour. The cyclone went from category 1 to 3 in just two hours.
Fig. 2: Intense cyclone Otis impacts the Acapulco region; Source: NOAA
The deluge
A hurricane generates a lot of rain, and the Mexican coast won't escape it. Some areas could receive more than 200 mm of rain in just a few hours. The anticipated consequences are flooding and landslides. Storm surge could reach seven meters along the coast. Otis could make history in this region. Indeed, no hurricane had ever made landfall with winds above Category 1 before.
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