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Celia, Blas weaken, but still bring heavy rain, surf

Last Updated Jun 18, 2022 at 7:14 am MDT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Celia weakened to a tropical depression off Central America Saturday, as Tropical Storm Blas headed out to sea off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast.

Celia is expected to remain off the coast of El Salvador and Guatemala over the weekend before moving west, toward Mexico, next week. The depression could still bring large rainfalls to the already-soaked Central American countries, and could regenerate into a storm.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of heavy rains over portions of Central America and Mexico.

The Hurricane Center said Celia had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) and was about 80 miles (130 kms) south-southwest of San Salvador. It was moving northwest at 5 mph (7 kph).

Tropical Storm Blas continued to weaken Saturday in the Pacific. Blas was located about 355 miles (575 kms) south of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was moving west-northwest at 6 mph (9 kph).

The storm was bringing dangerous surf to the coast. The region was battered when Hurricane Agatha came ashore near Puerto Angel on May 30.

The Associated Press