Tropical Storm Madeline forms off the western coast of Mexico

() — Tropical Storm Madeline formed in the Pacific Ocean off the western coast of Mexico on Saturday afternoon.

With maximum sustained winds of 72 km/h, the storm was located about 450 kilometers south-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima, and 836 kilometers south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, at the tip of Baja California.

The outer bands of the storm are expected to interact with the remnants of Tropical Storm Lester and produce torrential downpours. More than 254 mm of rain are possible in Guerrero, Michoacán and Oaxaca.

In areas of southern Nayarit and Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta, residents could see heavy rain, gusty winds and waves up to 13 feet high along the coasts.

Rains from Lester and Madeline could trigger mudslides, raise water levels in rivers and streams, and flood low-lying areas.

Residents are urged to heed warnings from the SMN (National Weather Service) and follow instructions from state authorities, Mexico’s National Water Commission said. Ships were urged to exercise extreme caution due to strong winds and waves on the coast.

Tropical Storm #Madeline forms over the eastern Pacific. There is a larger-than-normal amount of uncertainty in the track and intensity forecast at this time. check https://t.co/Oy8uoeSibM for updates. pic.twitter.com/N56CcWJzHK

— NHC Eastern Pacific (@NHC_Pacific) September 17, 2022

Lester it has already dissipated over Mexico, but its heavy rains are expected to continue in parts of Mexico’s southern coast through Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Meanwhile, a hurricane warning was issued for Puerto Rico as Tropical Storm Fiona approached on Saturday, with “life-threatening flooding and mudslides” possible in the coming days, officials said.

Hurricane conditions were expected in parts of Puerto Rico on Sunday and possibly in the US Virgin Islands on Saturday night, according to the Hurricane Center.

‘s Nouran Salahieh contributed to this report.