Forecasters are tracking two tropical storms churning in the eastern Pacific, both hugging the coastline between South America and southern Mexico. The first system was upgraded to a tropical storm earlier in the day, while the second was named later in the afternoon. Together they have made for a busy stretch of weather along the Pacific coast. Tropical storm warnings are already in place for parts of the region.
The lead system, Tropical Storm Boris, was carrying maximum sustained winds of about 45 miles per hour. It was moving slowly to the northeast at roughly 3 miles per hour, with a central pressure near 1,001 millibars. Forecasters noted that the storm did not look especially well organized and lacked a fully circular structure. Even so, it had met the criteria to be classified as a tropical storm.
Boris is being watched closely for a possible landfall along the coast. Forecasters said it could come ashore sometime between tonight and tomorrow evening, with the later window seen as the more likely one. Acapulco sits right in the center of the storm's projected cone. If the system tracks a little farther east, that arrival could come sooner than expected.
The greatest risks from Boris are tied to its slow movement and the terrain it is approaching. Staying over warm water keeps the storm alive and feeds its strength. Forecasters warned that the system could bring flooding and landslides, particularly in the more mountainous areas, around the middle of the week. Communities along the coast were urged to stay alert into Tuesday.
Behind Boris, a second system has now been named Tropical Storm Christina. It formed and was designated only this afternoon, farther south along the same stretch of ocean. Christina was also carrying winds of about 45 miles per hour. Forecasters said it was moving a little faster than Boris as it tracked along the coast.
The areas of concern stretch across a wide section of coastline. Forecasters highlighted Central America, southern Mexico and Acapulco as primary zones to watch. El Salvador, farther to the south, was also among the places being monitored. Some of those areas were already under a tropical storm warning as the systems drew closer.
The activity comes early in the season, which forecasters said was not unusual. They described both as homegrown storms hugging the coastlines, with relatively small cones compared with larger systems. Travelers heading to southern Mexico were advised to be mindful of the potential for heavy weather through the middle of the week. Forecasters said they would keep watching the guidance as the two storms continue to evolve.