Tropical Depression Two forms off southeastern Mexico, forecast to become tropical storm

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Tropical Depression Two has formed off the east coast of Mexico and could become Tropical Storm Barry sometime on Sunday.

The storm system became better organized as it moved into the Bay of Campeche on June 28, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in an evening update. The depression was centered roughly 100 miles east-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico and 210 miles southeast of Tuxpan.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter and crew flew into the storm on June 28 and found maximum sustained winds of 30 mph. The depression was moving slowly west-northwest in a general direction expected to take it over the coast of Mexico somewhere between Tampico and Tuxpan on the night of June 29.

Because the hurricane center expects the depression to strengthen before making landfall, Mexico has posted tropical storm warnings along the coast from Boca de Catan south to Tecolutla.

Whether or not the depression becomes Tropical Storm Barry, it is expected to deliver heavy rainfall of 3 to 6 inches, with maximum totals as high as 10 inches across the Mexican states of Veracruz, San Luis Potosi and Tamaulipas. The hurricane center warns that could trigger flash flooding in the region.

"Regardless of tropical cyclone formation, locally heavy rains are ongoing over portions of Guatemala and southeastern Mexico, and will continue during the next few days," the hurricane center said.

The depression isn't facing ideal environmental conditions for strengthening, but surface water temperatures in the region are warm, making it possible that the system could become a minimal tropical storm with winds of 30 mph, the hurricane center said. Once it makes landfall, the storm is forecast to quickly fall apart over the "rugged high terrain" of Central Mexico.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will last through the end of November. Andrea, became the season's first tropical storm on June 24.

Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October.

See the current storms in the Atlantic

System expected to form in the Pacific

Meanwhile in the Pacific, a system offshore from southern Mexico is forecast to become a tropical depression or tropical storm by sometime on June 29, the hurricane center said. The system, a few hundred miles south-southwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, is forecast to bring heavy rains to parts of Central America and southern Mexico.

"Environmental conditions appear conducive for development, and a tropical depression is expected to form during the next day or so while the system moves slowly west-northwestward off the coast of southern Mexico," the hurricane center said.

If the disturbance becomes a tropical storm, it would be the sixth named storm of the Pacific hurricane season, which started May 15, and would be named Flossie.

Tropical cyclone warnings could be issued later on June 28, the hurricane center said.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.

A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare now for hurricanes

Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends.

Prepare now for hurricanes: Here's what you should do to stay safe before a storm arrives

• Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
• Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
• Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
• Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
• Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings.