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Paul Weakens on Approach to Mexico

Fears centering around Hurricane Paul?s approach toward Mexico did not evaporate but did not evolve into the worst-case scenario that meteorologists might have been prepared for, as the storm will hit mainland Mexico following a significant weakening. With landfall expected Thursday morning, Paul was downgraded on Wednesday to a tropical storm as it approached Los Cabos, with maximum sustained winds around 45 miles per hour. The storm was, as of press time, about 175 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The downgrade did not come without tragedy, an American man walking on a beach was apparently swept out to sea by crashing waves near Cabo San Lucas. Authorities were still searching for his body as of press time. But others living in the area were not put off by the storm, with one visitor stating ?I`m used to this kind of thing. I spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy so it doesn`t bother me...I don`t plan on going fishing though.? Often such storms convince tourists to leave a bit earlier than scheduled.

An owner of a hotel in Cabo, Sandra Scandiber, said of the storm that ?It looks as though the storm is dissipating and we`re not going to get much of anything at all...I don`t think today is going to be a beach day, but tomorrow just may be.? Compared to 2005?s season of extremely powerful storms, weather observers might be disappointed by the relative calm ? though by no means quiet ? storm season so far. The hurricane season isn?t over yet, and more powerful storms could still be yet to come.