Hurricane Roslyn is expected to hit Mexico’s Pacific Coast at near or major hurricane strength Sunday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
Roslyn, which grew to a Category 4 storm in less than 24 hours, was moving toward the northwest at around 8 miles per hour, as of 11 a.m. ET Saturday.
Forecasters with the NHC said in a Saturday morning update that the center of the storm is expected to move parallel to the southwestern coast of Mexico through midday.
The hurricane will then turn inward, toward Mexico’s west-central coast, likely making landfall along the coast of the state of Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta, on Sunday morning.
Maximum sustained winds are currently near 120 mph and are expected to strengthen throughout the day.
“Although some weakening is possible beginning [Saturday], Roslyn is expected to still be near or at major hurricane strength when it makes landfall on Sunday,” the NHC said.
Mexican authorities have issued a hurricane warning for a 250-mile stretch of coast from Playa Perula to El Roblito, and for the Islas Marias, an archipelago of four islands located some 60 miles off the Nayarit coast.
A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast within the hurricane warning area by Saturday night and early Sunday, according to the NHC.
Winds will likely reach tropical storm strength by Saturday afternoon, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. A storm surge – which will likely be accompanied by “large and destructive ways” near the coast – is expected to produce significant coastal flooding.
Rainfall – with maximum amounts of 8 inches in Jalisco, western Nayarit including Islas Marias and southeastern Sinaloa – might lead to flash floods and mudslides – officials said.
“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the NHC warns.
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