Depression near Mexico not expected to become Tropical Storm Cristobal

The already busy 2020 Atlantic hurricane season’s third tropical depression is not expected to become Tropical Storm Cristobal, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the depression was over the Bay of Campeche, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, moving west at 3 mph. It is expected to move slowly across the Gulf of Mexico during the week.

A tropical storm warning was in effect for the Mexican coast, but “tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days,” according to a forecast advisory.

Heavy rain with the possibility of life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides is expected this week in southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and western Honduras. Parts of Guatemala and El Salvador have already seen deadly flooding, the hurricane center said early Tuesday.

Whether or not it will aim for the United States was not yet known.

“However, it is too soon to specify the location and timing of any potential impacts along the U.S. Gulf Coast,” the hurricane center said in an advisory issued at 11 p.m. Monday night.

Rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 25 inches, are expected over parts of the Mexico.

It would be the third named storm of 2020 in the Atlantic. Both Arthur and Bertha formed ahead of the official start of hurricane season, which was Monday.

Floridians can stock up on hurricane supplies without paying sales tax now through June 4.

The Atlantic hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

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