It is a result of a large vortex over the eastern North American continent. If enough energy oscillates into the Gulf of Mexico there could be a storm there as well. The storms that rumbled through North Carolina last night were not the ususal. The thunder alone lasted in excess of sixty seconds. The lightning lit the entire sky as if daylight. Notable is the huge heat transfer at the Bering Strait crossing into the Arctic Ocean where ice is melting at increased rates.
Tropical Storm Sergio forms off Mexican Pacific
12.20pm Wednesday November 15, 2006
MEXICO CITY - Tropical storm Sergio formed in the Pacific Ocean off Mexico today and weather forecasters warned it could become a major hurricane in the next three days.
Sergio was approximately 600km south of the tourist town of Manzanillo and expected to move slowly northward, although it has so far not been forecast to make landfall.
Predictions are divided on whether Sergio will reach hurricane strength or remain a tropical storm.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Centre said that one forecast "makes Sergio a major hurricane in three days. On the other hand... is more conservative."
Mexico's Pacific coast has been blitzed with hurricanes and storms this year, whereas its Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico coasts have seen little activity.
In October, Hurricane Paul killed two people in northwestern Mexico. In September, Hurricane Lane cost three lives along the Pacific coast and Hurricane John killed at least three people on the Baja California peninsula.
- REUTERS
