Manuel re-strengthens into a hurricane

NOAA satellite of Tropical Storm Manuel moving along the Pacific coast of Mexico earlier this week (courtesy: NOAA)

Wednesday, September 18, 2013, 8:24 PM -

After dying down to a remnant low and then strengthening back into a tropical storm, then into a "small" hurricane, Manuel poises itself to take another swipe at Mexico.

The storm has become a good example of what forecasters call a "zombie" storm -- or a system that loses steam, only to strengthen back up again.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect along the west-central coast of Mexico.

Winds have been clocked at 115 kph.

"A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as [60 cm to 121 cm] above normal tide levels along the immediate coast near and to the south of where the center makes landfall," NOAA warned in a statement.

Manuel inundated communities near Acapulco earlier this week, leaving thousands of people stranded.

Scores of tourists are unable to leave Mexico's Pacific coast beach resorts because of limited flight availbilty.

Earlier this week Humberto was also also named a "zombie" storm after it degenerated into a low pressure area and then strengthened into a tropical storm again on September 16.

Humberto isn't the only zombie to take over the Atlantic basin this year.

Gabrielle also lost steam and then re-formed this year, bringing over 70 mm of rain to Atlantic Canada in the process.