Hurricane Jimena moves across Baja Peninsula; Erika enters Caribbean

Tourists walk on the beach a day after hurricane Jimena passed next to Cabo San Lucas, in Mexico's western Baja California Peninsula, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias)

Hurricane Jimena was hung up in Baja California Wednesday evening, bringing a lot of rain and strong winds to the central potion of the peninsula.

The storm had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and was expected to weaken further overnight. At 7 p.m. CDT, Jimena had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. It was moving to the north at 12 mph.

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center in Miami expect Jimena to make a left turn tomorrow and head back out to the Pacific Ocean. However, it is expected to have lost most of its punch over land and will be just a tropical low by Saturday.

Jimena made landfall Wednesday afternoon between the small towns of Puerto San Andresito and San Jaunico. The area has few inhabitants and so far there have been no reports of injuries, although some damage to structures and downed power lines have been noticed.

Tropical Storm Erika weakening

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported Wednesday evening that Tropical Storm Erika was weakening and could be downgraded to a tropical depression tonight or tomorrow.

At 7 p.m. CDT, Erika was just west of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean Sea, having passed through the Leeward Islands. The storm was drifting west, according to NOAA, but was expected to turn in a more northerly direction and move toward Puerto Rico tomorrow.

Erika had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. It was expected to be no more than a tropical depression when it reaches Puerto Rico tomorrow night. It could still bring 3-5 inches of rain to the island, with some spots receiving up to 8 inches.

A tropical storm watch was in effect for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Cruise ships change itineraries

Erika’s presence among the Leewards has caused at least two cruise ships to alter their plans. Carnival Glory was spending the day at sea Wednesday instead of visiting St. Martin. It will make a port of call tomorrow at Grand Turk. Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas will visit Dominica tomorrow instead of Antigua.