Pilar brings tropical storm conditions to southwestern Mexico

Sept. 24 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Pilar is bringing heavy rains and strong winds to portions of southwest Mexico, with warnings in effect for coastal areas.

The National Hurricane Center said in its 1 p.m. advisory the storm was located about 25 miles south-southwest from Cabo Corrientes, Mexico, and about 85 miles south-southeast of the country’s Las Islas Maria.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect Sunday afternoon for Mexico’s southwestern coast from Playa Perula northward to El Roblito, including the Islas Marias, the NHC said.

A warning from Manzanillo to Playa Perula was discontinued by the Mexican government.

Pilar’s maximum sustained winds were clocked near 40 mph, with higher gusts. The storm was traveling north-northwest at a speed of 8 mph Sunday.

The NHC forecasted Pilar will produce 3 to 7 inches of rain, with isolated maximum rainfall of 15 inches, over portions of states Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco, Nayarit and southern Sinaloa through Monday night.

The center warned the rainfall could lead to flash floods and mud slides with life-threatening potential.

Tropical storm conditions were expected to gradually spread northward along the Mexican coast through Monday, the NHC said.

“This new forecast is slightly below that from the previous advisory and now calls for Pilar to become a remnant low in about two days,” said NHC forecaster Chris Landsea. “An alternative scenario … is for Pilar to make landfall and dissipate sooner.”