Erika Approaches the Rio Grande

Update: Saturday, 08/16, 7am CDT
NHC states that Erika made landfall as a strong Tropical Storm in extreme northeast Mexico about 35 to 40 miles south of Brownsville, Texas, at 5am CDT although the call may have been a bit premature. The center seems to have momentarily stalled just offshore near 25.2N 97.5W, probably under the influence of strong upper level westerlies into north central Mexico which have slowed Erika's forward momentum. Maximum sustained winds are 60 knots and central pressure is 987mb.
ED

Really not much to add that hasn't already been covered on the Main News page. Erika certainly has been a straighforward storm in terms of track (no pun intended). Pressure now reported at 992mb, so she is creeping towards hurricane status. Expect landfall between 5 and 6am CDT as a Cat I, and probably just south of the river in extreme northeast Mexico. Upper level westerly shear is creating some compression on the leading (westerly) edge but this is also enhancing outflow on the eastern semicircle. Although the storm will weaken rapidly as it moves inland, Erika could still turn into a good rainmaker for the lower Rio Grande valley.
ED

Edited by Ed Dunham (Sat Aug 16 2003 08:27 AM)

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