Bonnie projected to become a Pacific hurricane as Colin dissipates

Digital WritersThe Weather Network
Digital Writers

Bonnie is expected to undergo intensification to become a hurricane in the Pacific by Monday as the remnants of Colin bring additional rainfall and gusty winds to North Carolina's Outer Banks Sunday.

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Tropical Storm Bonnie, which began its journey in the southern Atlantic Ocean, is now anticipated to strengthen into a hurricane in the eastern Pacific by Monday. Heavy rains are possible across parts of El Salvador, Guatemala and southern Mexico over the next couple of days, elevating the threat of flash flooding and mudslides. Meanwhile, Colin's short stint as a tropical storm has come to an end, with the remnants bringing some lingering gusty winds and shower activity to the North Carolina coast Sunday. For the latest on Bonnie and Colin, read below.


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BONNIE EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN AND BECOME A HURRICANE

Tropical Storm Bonnie formed in the southern Caribbean Sea on Friday as the Atlantic's second named storm of the season. Since then, Bonnie has emerged over the Pacific Ocean through its unusual trek across the Atlantic.

As of Sunday morning, Bonnie is 255 km south of Puerto San José, Guatemala, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

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Conditions are favourable for Bonnie to become a hurricane by Monday, according to NHC, as intensification is forecast during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 95 km/h with higher gusts.

The agency expects the storm to produce heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts along its path.

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While there are no watches or warnings in place currently, interests along the coasts of Guatemala and southern Mexico should monitor the progress of this system.

Areas of heavy rainfall are possible during the next couple of days across portions of El Salvador, Guatemala and southern Mexico. The rainfall could cause some instances of flash flooding and mudslides across the region.

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It was unusual for a tropical storm to form so far south in the Caribbean Sea. Most storms track farther north, closer to the Antilles. This storm, and the disturbance from which it formed, hugged South America as it traversed the Caribbean.

But what’s even more unusual is that Tropical Storm Bonnie survived its encounter with Nicaragua and emerged intact over the eastern Pacific Ocean. The mountains of Central America typically tear a storm apart, but Bonnie moved fast enough so its centre of circulation survived the short trip over land.

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As well, swells generated by Bonnie will affect portions of the coasts of El Salvador, Guatemala and southern Mexico during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

COLIN LOSES TROPICAL STORM POWER

Meanwhile, in the Atlantic basin, Colin came to life early Saturday morning off the southeastern U.S. coast, near South Carolina. It became the Atlantic's third named storm in 2022. However, the storm has since weakened and lost its tropical storm status.

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As of Sunday morning, the remnants of Colin are 15 km north-northeast of New Bern, N.C., according to NHC.

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The remnants are expected to turn east-northeastward and accelerate soon, emerging over the Atlantic waters east of North Carolina Sunday afternoon.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 km/h with higher gusts, occurring mainly over the Atlantic waters off the North Carolina coast.

Gusty winds are still possible over the North Carolina Outer Banks Sunday morning, while scattered showers and thunderstorms may impact coastal regions of the state through the morning period. Most areas will see less than 25 mm of additional rainfall.

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Thumbnail courtesy of NOAA.

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