Tag Archives: Baja California

Hurricane Jova Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Jova rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Jova was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 113.0°W which put it about 535 miles (865 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 929 mb.

Hurricane Jova intensified from a tropical depression to a Category 5 hurricane in 48 hours. A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) formed at the center of Jova’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Jova. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Jova increased as Jova rapidly intensified. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.0.

Hurricane Jova will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Jova could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours. The inner end of a rainband appeared to be wrapping around the existing eye and eyewall in the core of Jova’s circulation. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle will cause Hurricane Jova to weaken on Thursday. Jova will move over cooler water on Friday, which will also cause it to weaken.

Hurricane Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Jova will stay far to the southwest of Baja California.

Jova Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Jova rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Jova was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 111.7°W which put it about 565 miles (910 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Hurricane Jova intensified very rapidly to a major hurricane on Wednesday. A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) formed at the center of Jova’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Jova. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Hurricane Jova rapidly intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.5.

Hurricane Jova will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Jova will intensify during the next 24 hours. Jova could strengthen to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Hurricane Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Jova will stay far to the southwest of Baja California.

Jova Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Jova rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California during Tuesday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Jova was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 109.6°W which put it about 640 miles (1035 km) southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

The maximum sustained wind speed in former Tropical Storm Jova increased 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) during the past 24 hours. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Hurricane Jova. The strongest winds were occurring in the inner end of the rainband. A small circular eye was starting to appear on microwave satellite images. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Jova. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (20 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Jova will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jova’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Jova will intensify during the next 36 hours. Jova is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Wednesday.

Hurricane Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Jova will stay far to the southwest of Baja California.

Tropical Storm Jova Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Jova formed south of Mexico on Monday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Jova was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 106.9°W which put it about 725 miles (1165 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened during Monday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Jova. The circulation around Jova was still organizing on Tuesday morning. It was difficult to see the surface center of Tropical Storm Jova on infrared satellite images. More thunderstorms were developing in bands revolving around the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Jova’s circulation. The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Jova were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Jova will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jova’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Jova will intensify during the next 36 hours. Jova could strengthen to a hurricane on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jova will move farther away from the west coast of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Irwin Forms over the Eastern North Pacific

Tropical Storm Irwin formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Irwin was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 121.3°W which put it about 835 miles (1315 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Irwin was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (60 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west-southwest of Baja California strengthened on Sunday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Irwin. The distribution of thunderstorms in Irwin’s circulation was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Irwin. Bands in the northern side of Irwin’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The distribution of winds in Tropical Storm Irwin was also asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the eastern side of Irwin. The winds in the western side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Irwin will move through an environment that is only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Irwin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Irwin’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. There is also a region of drier air northwest of Tropical Storm Irwin. Tropical Storm Irwin could get a little stronger on Monday, but the vertical wind shear and the drier air will limit any intensification.

Tropical Storm Irwin will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Irwin toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Irwin will move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.

Tropical Storm Hilary Drops Heavy Rain on Southern California

Tropical Storm Hilary dropped heavy rain over parts of southern California on Sunday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Hilary was located at latitude 31.3°N and longitude 116.1°W which put it about 115 miles (185 km) south-southeast of San Diego, California. Hilary was moving toward the north at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 990 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S. border with Mexico to the Point Mugu, California. The Tropical Storm Warning included San Diego. The Tropical Storm Warning also included Catalina Island. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Eugenia, Mexico to the border with the U.S. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bahia San Bautista to Guaymas, Mexico.

Former Hurricane Hilary weakened to a tropical storm as the center of Hilary moved over the northern part of Baja California. Bands in the northern part of Hilary’s circulation brought gusty winds to parts of southern California and Arizona. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 230 miles (370 km) from the center of Hilary’s circulation. A weather station at the Imperial, California airport reported a sustained wind speed of 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and a wind gust of 61 m.p.h. (98 km/h). A weather station in Yuma, Arizona reported at sustained wind speed of 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and a wind gust of 59 m.p.h. (95 km/h).

The circulation around the northern side of Tropical Storm Hilary interacted with an upper level low west of California to drop heavy rain over parts of southern California. Weather stations in Carlsbad, Ramona, Los Angeles, Riverside, Big Bear, Borrego, Palmdale, Edwards Air Force Base, and Gray Butte, California were all reporting heavy rain at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

The upper low west of California will pull Tropical Storm Hilary quickly to the north during the next 24 hours. The center of Hilary’s circulation will pass east of San Diego on Sunday evening. Tropical Storm Hilary continue to weaken as it moves inland over the Southwest U.S. The circulation of Hilary will move over Nevada on Monday. The upper and lower parts of Hilary’s circulation could decouple because of strong vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Hilary will continue to produce gusty winds and locally heavy rain during the next 24 hours. The heaviest rain is likely to fall where the wind forces the air to rise over mountains. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches have been issued for parts of southern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah and western Arizona. Hilary could also bring strong winds to mountains in southern Nevada, southern Utah and western Arizona.

Hurricane Hilary Brings Wind and Rain to Baja California

Hurricane Hilary brought wind and rain to Baja California on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Hilary was located at latitude 25.3°N and longitude 114.6°W which put it about 175 miles (280 km) south of Punta Eugenia, Mexico. Hilary was moving toward the north-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Even though center of Hurricane Hilary was south of Punta Eugenia, Hilary brought strong winds and locally heavy rain to Baja California on Saturday night. A weather station in Loreto, Mexico reported a sustained wind speed of 58 m.p.h. (93 km/h) and a wind gust of 69 m.p.h. (111 km/h). There were reports of flash floods in Santa Rosalia, Mexico.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to Cabo San Quintin, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo San Quintin to Ensenada, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to Todos Santos, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Los Barriles to Guaymas, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S. border with Mexico to the Point Mugu, California. The Tropical Storm Warning included San Diego. The Tropical Storm Warning also included Catalina Island. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo San Quintin, Mexico to the border with the U.S. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Guaymas to Huatabampito, Mexico.

Hurricane Hilary was weakening on Saturday night. There was no longer an eye visible on satellite images of Hurricane Hilary. The distribution of thunderstorms in Hilary was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Hilary’s circulation. Bands in the southern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Hurricane Hilary was still large even though Hilary was weakening. Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Hilary’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 13.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 18.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.6. Hurricane Hilary was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Matthew when Matthew hit South Carolina in 2016.

Hurricane Hilary will be moving into an environment that will be unfavorable for a hurricane during the next 24 hours. Hilary will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder than 26°C. It will move between an upper level ridge over Mexico and the south central U.S. and an upper level low west of California. The upper level ridge and upper level low will interact to produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Hilary’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. The combination of cooler water and more vertical wind shear will cause Hurricane Hilary to weaken during the next 24 hours. In addition, much of the circulation in the eastern side of Hurricane Hilary will pass over Baja California. The mountains in Baja California will partially disrupt the flow of air around Hurricane Hilary.

The upper level ridge over the south central U.S. and the upper level low west of California will steer Hurricane Hilary toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Hilary will be near Punta Eugenia early Sunday morning. Hilary will continue to produce strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Baja California on Sunday. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Hilary could take a track similar to the one taken by Hurricane Nora in 1997. The center of Hilary will reach southern California by Sunday evening. Hilary will weaken to a tropical storm before it reaches southern California. Hilary will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern California. The heaviest rain is likely to fall where the wind force the air to rise over mountains. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches have been issued for parts of southern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah and western Arizona. Hilary could also bring strong winds to mountains in southern Nevada, southern Utah and western Arizona.

Hurricane Hilary Moves Toward Baja California

Hurricane Hilary was moving toward Baja California on Saturday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Hilary was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 113.4°W which put it about 490 miles (790 km) south-southeast of Punta Eugenia, Mexico. Hilary was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 943 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to Cabo San Quintin, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo San Quintin to Ensenada, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to Guaymas, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Warning included Cabo San Lucas. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S. border with Mexico to the Point Mugu, California. The Tropical Storm Warning included San Diego. The Tropical Storm Warning also included Catalina Island. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo San Quintin, Mexico to the border with the U.S. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Guaymas to Huatabampito, Mexico.

Hurricane Hilary was moving closer to Baja California on Saturday morning. An eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Hilary’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Hilary. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Hilary was large. Winds to hurricane force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Hilary’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 265 miles (425 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 19.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.3. Hurricane Hilary was capable of causing regional major damage.

Hurricane Hilary appeared to be starting to weaken on Saturday morning. Thunderstorms were weakening in bands in the western side of Hilary’s circulation. Some of the bands in the western part of Hilary consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Northerly winds in the western half of Hurricane Hilary were pulling cooler, drier air into that part of the hurricane.

Hurricane Hilary will be moving into an environment that will become unfavorable for a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. Hilary will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are cooler than 27°C. It will move between an upper level ridge over Mexico and the south central U.S. and an upper level low west of California. The upper level ridge and upper level low will interact to produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Hilary’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. The combination of cooler water and more vertical wind shear will cause Hurricane Hilary to weaken during the next 24 hours.

The upper level ridge over the south central U.S. and the upper level low west of California will steer Hurricane Hilary toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Hilary will approach Punta Eugenia on Saturday night. Hilary will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Baja California. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Hilary will reach southern California on Sunday. Hilary is likely to weaken to a tropical storm before it reaches southern California. Hilary bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern California. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches have been issued for parts of southern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah and western Arizona. Hilary could also bring strong winds to mountains in southern Nevada, southern Utah and western Arizona.

Hilary Prompts Hurricane Warning for Baja, Tropical Storm Watch for Southern California

The potential threat from Hurricane Hilary prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Warning for part of Baja California and a Tropical Storm Watch for Southern California on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Hilary was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 111.4°W which put it about 360 miles (575 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Hilary was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 145 m.p.h. (230 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (280 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 939 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to Punta Eugenia, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Eugenia to Ensenada, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to Loreto, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Warning includes Cabo San Lucas. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S. border with Mexico to the Orange/Los Angeles County Line. The Tropical Storm Watch included Catalina Island. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Ensenada, Mexico to the border with the U.S. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Loreto to Huatabampito, Mexico.

Hurricane Hilary continued to intensify on Friday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 20 miles (30 km) was at the center of Hilary’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Hilary. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Hilary was large. Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Hilary’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 290 miles (465 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 29.9. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.8. Hurricane Hilary was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Ida when Ida hit Louisiana in 2021.

Hurricane Hilary will move through an environment favorable for a major hurricane during the next 24 hours. Hilary will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Hilary could intensify during the next 24 hours. However, if the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could form. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Hilary to weaken.

Hurricane Hilary will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico and the south central U.S. The high pressure system will steer Hilary toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Hilary will move toward Baja California. Hilary will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system during the weekend. The center of Hurricane Hilary will be near Punta Eugenia on Sunday morning. Hurricane Hilary will start to affect Baja California on Saturday. Hilary will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Baja California. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

The center of Hurricane Hilary is likely to approach southern California on Sunday night. There is cooler water west of the northern part of Baja California. Hilary will be weakening when it approaches southern California. Hilary bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of southern California. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Flood Watches have been issued for parts of southern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah and western Arizona.

Hilary Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Hilary rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Thursday morning. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the southern part of Baja California. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Hilary was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 107.1°W which put it about 320 miles (515 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Hilary was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast of Baja California from Cabo San Lazaro to San Evaristo, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Watch included Cabo San Lucas.

Former Tropical Storm Hilary rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Thursday morning. An eye was visible on satellite images at the center of Hurricane Hilary. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Hilary. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Hilary was large. Winds to hurricane force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hilary’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Hilary will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hilary will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Hilary will intensify during the next 24 hours. Hilary could intensify rapidly at times. Hurricane Hilary is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane on Friday.

Hurricane Hilary will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Hilary toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Hilary will move toward Baja California. Hilary will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system during the weekend. Hurricane Hilary will start to affect Baja California during the weekend.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Greg was passing south of Hawaii and Tropical Storm Fernanda continued to weaken. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Greg was located at latitude 12.1°N and longitude 154.5°W which put it about 675 miles (1085 km) south-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii. Greg was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fernanda was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 130.8°W which put it about 1425 miles (2290 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Fernanda was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.