Mexico Tropical Weather Newton

A couple enjoys themselves in the surf after the passing of Hurricane Newton in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Tuesday Sept. 6, 2016. Hurricane Newton shattered windows, downed trees and knocked out power in parts of the twin resorts of Los Cabos on Tuesday, but residents were spared the kind of extensive damage seen two years ago when they were walloped by a monster storm. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

Rain is falling across Southern Arizona in advance of Hurricane Newton, which weakened to tropical storm strength after making landfall in Sonora overnight.

It is still expected to bring heavy rain and some high winds to parts of Southern Arizona today.

The National Weather Service predicts the storm's center will arrive near Nogales at about 11 a.m., then near or east of Tucson by 2 p.m. today.

A flash flood watch is still in effect for all of Southern Arizona until 5 p.m., and a wind advisory remains in place, particularly for higher terrain in Santa Cruz and western Cochise County.

The weather station on the telescope ridge on Mount Hopkins east of Green Valley was recording gusts of 50 mph or more at 6 a.m.

Tropical Storm Newton was centered east of Guaymas, Sonora, at 6 a.m. with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported .

It is expected to weaken further before entering Arizona near Nogales at about 11 a.m. Newton is then expected to curve northeastward and its remnants will be over the White Mountains of eastern Arizona by nightfall.

High winds and heavy rain are expected in areas directly in the storm's path.


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Contact reporter Tom Beal at tbeal@tucson.com or 520-573-4158. Follow him on Facebook or @bealagram on Twitter.