Tropical Storm Barbara Nears Hurricane Strength Near Mexican Coast David Alire Garcia - Reuters
go to original May 29, 2013

East Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook - This product is updated at approximately 5 AM, 11 AM, 5 PM, and 11 PM PDT from May 15 to November 30. (NOAA/National Hurricane Center)

Reuters Update: Tropical Storm Barbara became a hurricane in the Pacific as it neared Mexico's southern coast and forged a course towards the country's biggest oil refinery, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday. The center reported that the hurricane was 65 miles east-southeast of the port of Salina Cruz in southern Oaxaca state. Winds were blowing at a maximum 75 miles per hour.

MEXICO CITY - Tropical Storm Barbara gained strength on its approach to Mexico’s southern coast, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday.

The center reported that the storm was nearing hurricane strength with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles (105 km) per hour and was located about 70 miles (112 km) south of the port of Salina Cruz in southern Oaxaca state.

Salina Cruz is home to Mexican state oil monopoly Pemex’s  largest refinery.

Barbara churned northeast at about eight miles per hour, and is expected to swing through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico’s narrowest point, once it makes landfall later on Wednesday.

The center issued a hurricane warning from Oaxaca’s Puerto Angel to Barra de Tonala, and a tropical storm warming from Barra de Tonala to Boca de Pijijiapan in Chiapas state.

Barbara is forecast to reach hurricane strength before it hits Mexico’s southern coast, the center added.

Between 4 and 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) of rain is expected over eastern Oaxaca through western Chiapas once Barbara reaches land, along with a storm surge of between 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) above normal tide levels.

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