Tropical Storm Fausto and Gulf Depression Updates

Tropical Storm Fausto formed on Sunday off the southwestern Pacific coast of Mexico. This storm developed from a tropical depression, situated approximately 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Fausto is likely to strengthen steadily or rapidly and could become a hurricane by Monday night.

The storm features maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and is moving in a west-northwesterly direction at 13 mph (20 kph). At this time, there are no coastal watches or warnings issued.

Additionally, Tropical Storm Elida, existing in the eastern Pacific, was weakening on Sunday. Predictions suggest it will reduce to a remnant low within a few days. Elida was located roughly 1,015 miles (1,635 kilometers) west of the southern Baja peninsula, carrying top sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph).

Meanwhile, the Miami-based hurricane center is monitoring a tropical depression powered by warm Gulf of Mexico waters. This depression is positioned south-southeast of the Florida Panhandle and is projected to evolve into a tropical storm early in the week. A tropical storm watch is active in parts of the Florida Panhandle extending to the Alabama border.

Expected to move near or along the northern Gulf Coast, the slow-moving system could bring significant rainfall to northern Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana as it shifts westward toward Texas. By Sunday afternoon, the depression was nearly stationary, about 190 miles (310 kilometers) south-southeast of Panama City, Florida, with top sustained winds of 30 mph (45 kph).