Hurricane John weakens a little off Mexican coast

SANAA, Aug. 8 (YPA) — Hurricane John advanced northwestward along Mexico’s western coast on Wednesday and it was expected to stir up heavy surf and drop rain on the southern Baja California Peninsula while keeping away from landfall.

Another tropical storm farther out in the Pacific and one in the northern Atlantic posed no threats to land.

The U.S. national hurricane center said John had weakened a little, but still had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph) early Wednesday. It was no longer expected to grow into a major hurricane. It was moving northwestward, parallel to Baja California and was projected to veer off into the Pacific late in the week.

It was centered about 215 miles (350 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja and was moving to the northwest at 12 mph (19 kph).

Farther out in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Kristy had sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 8 mph (13 kph). It was centered about 1,395 miles (2,245 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja.

The hurricane center said Kristy was likely to strengthen somewhat in coming days.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Debby strengthened slightly over the North Atlantic, but it was expected to be short-lived.

Ahmed Al-Mutawakel