Hurricane Katia has been churning in the Gulf of Mexico for several days, but it has been moving very slowly. As of Monday afternoon, the storm was located about 185 miles (300 kilometers) east of Tampico, Mexico, and was moving at just 2 miles per hour (3 kilometers per hour).

Satellites show that Katia is a well-organized storm, with a well-defined eye and a large area of convection. However, the storm is also relatively small, with a diameter of only about 100 miles (160 kilometers). This small size is one of the reasons why Katia is moving so slowly.

Slow Movement Could Bring Torrential Rain

The slow movement of Hurricane Katia means that it is likely to bring torrential rain to parts of Mexico, particularly the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz. The storm is expected to drop as much as 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain in some areas, which could lead to flash flooding and mudslides.

In addition to the heavy rain, Hurricane Katia is also expected to produce strong winds and high waves. Winds are expected to reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour (145 kilometers per hour), and waves could reach heights of up to 12 feet (3.6 meters).

Residents Urged to Take Precautions

Mexican authorities have urged residents in the affected areas to take precautions ahead of Hurricane Katia's arrival. They have advised people to stay indoors and away from windows, and to secure their homes and belongings.

Hurricane Katia is the second major hurricane to hit Mexico in the past two weeks. Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on August 25, and caused widespread damage. Katia is not expected to be as strong as Harvey, but it is still a dangerous storm and could cause significant damage.