Tropical Storm Fausto Forms Near Mexico; Gulf Depression May Strengthen

Tropical Storm Fausto developed off Mexico’s southwest Pacific coast on Sunday. Meanwhile, a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico, near the Florida Panhandle, threatened to evolve into a named storm.

Fausto, which originated from a tropical depression, is located about 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) south-southwest of Baja California’s southern tip. The U.S. National Hurricane Center projected that Fausto would steadily or rapidly strengthen, possibly reaching hurricane status by Monday night. Currently, Fausto’s maximum sustained winds are 40 mph (65 kph), moving west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph). There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

In the eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Elida was diminishing in strength and was anticipated to become a remnant low in the coming days. As of Sunday, Elida was centered about 1,015 miles (1,635 kilometers) west of Baja’s southern tip, with sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph).

The Miami-based hurricane center closely monitored a tropical depression south-southeast of the Florida Panhandle. This depression, driven by warm waters, was predicted to develop into a tropical storm early in the week. A tropical storm watch was issued from parts of the Florida Panhandle to the Alabama border. The slow-moving system is expected to traverse near or along the northern Gulf Coast over the next several days.

Forecasters warned of potential heavy rainfall in coastal regions of northern Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana as the system advances west towards Texas. By Sunday afternoon, the depression was virtually static, located roughly 190 miles (310 kilometers) south-southeast of Panama City, Florida, with sustained winds reaching 30 mph (45 kph).