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8/31/11 (AEIN) A new tropical depression formed on Wednesday near Mexico and forecasters expect the storm to reach the country's southwestern coast by Wednesday afternoon. The tropical depression will yield significant rainfall and potentially trigger mud slides or flash flooding, according an advisory issued by the National Hurricane Center.
With top sustained winds of approximately 55 kilometers (35 miles) per hour, flooding poses the primary concern after this storm reaches the coast. Forecasters predict rainfall of 10 to 15 cm (4-6 in) in coastal Colima, Guerrero and Michoacan. A few areas could receive as much as a foot of rain. The Mexican government has issued a tropical storm warning for southwestern areas from Punta San Telmo to Zihuatanejo.
Forecasters expect the storm to maintain its current wind speeds until arriving at the coast. In addition to the above-mentioned sustained winds, stronger gusts can be expected. Mexico's coastline extends nearly ten thousand kilometers (approximately 6,200 miles), making it vulnerable to many Pacific and Atlantic tropical storms.