MEXICO CITY (AP) — Newly formed Tropical Storm Tara soaked parts of west-central Mexico with heavy rains Monday as it drifted off the country's Pacific coast.
Forecasters said precipitation from the storm has the potential to cause dangerous flooding, though its center is likely to remain out to sea while remaining near the coast.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Tara was centered about 95 miles (155 kilometers) south of Manzanillo in the morning while heading to the west-northwest at 1 mph (2 kph). It had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph).
A tropical storm watch was in effect from Punta San Telmo in Michoacan state to Cabo Corrientes, which juts into the Pacific south of Puerto Vallarta.
Tara was expected to bring 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 15 centimeters) of rain to coastal regions in Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco states.
