Arlene Brings Heavy Rains to Mexico

Arlene formed into a tropical storm on the evening of 28 June 2011 in the Bay of Campeche in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico from an area of low pressure that had formed the day before just west of the Yucatan Peninsula. Arlene did not have time to fully develop and came ashore as a strong tropical storm two days later on the morning of 30 June near Cabo Rojo along Mexico's east coast with sustained winds reported at 65 mph.

TRMM image of Arlene

Although wind damage from the storm was relatively minor, Arlene brings the threat of heavy rains and flash flooding to the region as it continues to move inland. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (or TRMM) satellite has proven to be a useful platform for measuring rainfall from tropical cyclones, including typhoons and hurricanes. Launched in 1997, TRMM uses a combination of passive microwave and active radar sensors to measure rainfall from space. For increased coverage, TRMM can be used to calibrate rainfall estimates from additional satellites. The TRMM-based, near-real time Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center provides estimates of rainfall over the global Tropics. TMPA rainfall totals are shown for the period 24 June to 1 July 2011 for the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and the surrounding region. The solid black line shows the path of Arlene with storms symbols marking the 00 and 12Z positions and intensity. Most of the heaviest rain occurs offshore and along the coast. Over land, TMPA rainfall totals exceed 100 to 150 mm of rain (~4 to 6 inches, shown in green) over most of the central east coast of Mexico. In the vicinity of where Arlene made landfall, there are higher amounts in excess of 250 mm (~10 inches, shown in orange). In addition to the rain from Arlene, a passing tropical wave contributed to the rainfall totals over the Yucatan prior to Arlene's formation. Although the rainfall totals drop off quickly inland. As Arlene continues to trek westward it will continue to bring the threat of heavy rain and potential flooding to central Mexico. Arlene is expected to eventually dissipate over the mountains of central Mexico. So far two fatalities are being blamed on the storm. Much of Mexico has been in a severe drought recently, so Arlene's rains have been a welcome site.

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