Article first published: Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024, 10 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024, 7 p.m. ET

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 7 pm Thursday advisory, the weather system had gained sufficient intensity to be named Ileana. The tropical depression had upgraded to a tropical storm with winds of 40 mph. Tropical Storm Ileana is 200 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas Mexico, with maximum sustained wind of 40 mph. It’s moving 9 mph to the north-northwest.

“A turn to the north at a slightly slower forward speed is expected Friday night. On the forecast track, the center of Ileana should pass near or over the southern portion of Baja California Sur Friday and Friday night before emerging over the southern Gulf of California by early Saturday. Some strengthening is expected before the storm reaches Baja California Sur.” meteorologists observed. “After that, gradual weakening is forecast while the cyclone is near or over land.”

The system strengthened enough to get a name: Tropical Storm Ileana. It found new strength and has evolved from a tropical depression into a tropical storm with sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

– West coast of Baja California Sur Mexico from Santa Fe southward

– East coast of Baja California Sur Mexico from San Evaristo southward

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

– East coast of Baja California Sur Mexico north of San Evaristo to Loreto

– Mainland Mexico from Topolobampo to Huatabampito

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the Mexican states of Baja California Sur, Sinaloa, and Sonora should closely monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Ileana.

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:

RAINFALL: Tropical Storm Ileana is expected to produce 4-6 inches with localized higher amounts up to 8 inches across the coastal areas of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco through early Friday. From Friday through Sunday, Tropical Storm Ileana may result in 4-6 inches, with localized higher amounts up to 8 inches, across southern Baja California. For northwest coastal Sinaloa, Tropical Storm Ileana may produce between 6-8 inches with localized higher amounts up to 12 inches. This heavy rainfall will bring a risk of flash flooding and mudslides to portions of the area.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the coast of the southern Baja California Peninsula within the warning area Friday morning, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by early Saturday.

SURF: Swells generated by Tropical Storm Ileana will affect portions of the coast of west-central Mexico and the coast of the southern Baja California Peninsula during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Source: National Hurricane Center