Tropical Depression Two is strengthening over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and may hit the Mexico state of Veracruz as a tropical storm early Thursday. Whether it reaches tropical storm status or not, it will continue to bring torrential rain and the risk of flooding in the region.
“Tropical Depression Two has been a very resilient weather system,” AccuWeather Expert Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski said. “Despite being over land for over 24 hours, the tropical cyclone is attempting to strengthen now that it is back over very warm water.”
The system drifted over the warm waters of the southwestern Gulf of Mexico (Bay of Campeche) Tuesday night into early Wednesday. The warm water may provide enough fuel for the depression to become Tropical Storm Barry prior to landfall. However, the official call on that is made by the National Hurricane Center.
Enough rain will fall to cause flash and urban flooding as it approaches Mexico over the state of Veracruz. Mudslides are also a concern.
A stronger system would also bring a greater risk for localized damaging wind gusts, especially in the vicinity of thunderstorms. There is also the potential for a period of rough seas and surf in the southwestern Gulf, as well as water level rise (published tide level, plus storm surge) of a few feet near and north of the center at the time of landfall.
Trailing torrential rainfall could lead to flooding concerns across portions of Belize and the northern portion of Guatemala. As of Tuesday evening, Belize City had received a total of 9.45 inches of rain from the system.
Other states in Mexico that could receive flooding downpours as the system strengthens and drifts westward include Tabasco, Chiapas and Oaxaca.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/tropical-depression-flooding-r/14412296