The first hurricane of 2022 for the eastern Pacific has made landfall in southern Mexico. Agatha has been moving slowly northward along the Mexican Pacific coast, strengthening before touching down on Monday afternoon. The storm has caused strong tropical winds and heavy rains.
Winds are slowing, but heavy rains will continue through Tuesday as the storm moves inland. It is expected to cause sudden floods and landslides of mud that could be life-threatening.
In the most affected areas, in the mountainous state of Oaxaca, 300-400 mm of rain is possible. The storm will have largely dissipated on Wednesday, but its wreckage could lead to a redevelopment this week in the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Climate Prediction Center of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said it is likely that the eastern Pacific will experience a subnormal number of tropical storms this year, while there is a 65% chance of a higher number than normal storms in the Atlantic basin.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the potential for three to six powerful category three or higher hurricanes.
Another intense season is expected for several reasons, including the current La Niña season. The phenomenon describes periods in which sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are colder than average, increasing hurricane activity in the Atlantic, as opposed to the El Niño phase. In addition, warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures and weaker trade winds in the Atlantic are expected, as well as a stronger West African monsoon.
Elsewhere, a cold season has developed in southern and eastern Australia before the onset of winter weather. A cold front brought fresh air to the south on Sunday, with below-average temperatures forecast for much of the week in the south and southeast.
Some parts of South Australia are expected to face the coldest temperatures of the year so far, with Adelaide falling to 13-14 ºC on Tuesday and Wednesday. Strong winds have accompanied the cold weather, with possible 30-50 cm of snow in the Alpine region by the end of Tuesday.