Cat 5 Hurricane Otis making lanfall near Acapulco, Mexico

Major Hurricane Otis continued to strengthen until near the time of landfall in southern Mexico near Acapulco, reaching a catastrophic Category 5 with max wind of 145 kts (165 mph). 

Otis intensified very rapidly from a tropical storm to a Cat 5 hurricane in about 18 hours as it moved over sea surface temperatures from 28 C to about 30 C as it approached the coast.  Although the SSTs are warm, they are not all that unusual for the area. The very rapid intensification will be a subject for further study.  In 2015  Hurricane Patricia grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours with max winds of 185 knots (215 mph) but weakened to 130 kts (150 mph) at landfall. 

Otis has moved onshore in the greater Acapulco area and now that the center is moving inland, rapid weakening is expected.

Hurricane Otis Damage in Acapulco, Mexico

Ocean Weather Services

NOAA IR Satellite Image Hurricane Otis

Hurricane Otis is undergoing very rapid development with max winds currently at 125 kts with a min pressure of 941 mb and significant wave heights estimated 12-13 meters (40-43 feet) as it moves NNW at 7 kts. Otis is a small but powerful storm with hurricane force winds extending outward 20-25 nm and 50 knot winds outward 30-40 nm   Otis is forecast to peak near 140 kts (Cat 5) tonight, prior to landfall.  

NHC Forecast Track for Hurricane Otis

Otis is forecast to be a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane when it reaches the southern coast of Mexico late tonight or early Wednesday. Heavy rains from Otis will continue to impact areas of southwest Mexico this week.  This rainfall will produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for…  Punta Maldonado westward to Zihuatanejo

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…  Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado

Latest NHC Advisory

Ocean Weather Services

NOAA TS Otis Satellite Image

Tropical Storm Otis continues to become better organized SSE of Acapulco, Mexico as it moves NNW at 7 kts. Max winds are now at 60 kts with significant wave heights estimated near 7 meters (23 ft). Otis is forecast to continue NNW and should cross the coastline of southern Mexico in a day or so with max winds about 80 kts. The interaction of the circulation of Otis with the mountainous terrain of Mexico could induce a slight leftward turn as the system nears the coastline.

NOAA NHC Track Forecast for TS Otis

 Otis is forecast to become a hurricane before it reaches the southern coast of Mexico late tonight or Wednesday, and hurricane and tropical storm conditions are expected along portions of the southern coast of Mexico where hurricane and tropical storm warnings are in effect. Heavy rains from Otis will begin to impact areas of southwest Mexico early this week.  This rainfall will produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain.

Estimated Wind Field of TS Otis

Latest NHC Advisories

Ocean Weather Services