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Hilary Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Hilary rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Thursday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Hilary was located at latitude 16.7°N and longitude 110.0°W which put it about 430 miles (690 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Hilary was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Eugenia to Punta Abreojos, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo San Lazaro to Los Barriles, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Warning included Cabo San Lucas. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for the portions of the coast from Cabo San Lazaro to Punta Eugenia, Mexico and from Los Barriles to Bahia San Juan Bautista, Mexico.

Hurricane Hilary rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Thursday. An eye with a diameter of 23 miles (37 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 60 miles (95 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 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 20.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 43.9.

Hurricane Hilary will move through an environment 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 is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. Hilary could intensify rapidly at times 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, former Tropical Storm Greg and former Tropical Storm Fernanda both weakened to tropical depressions. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Greg was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 158.5°W which put it about 645 miles (1035 km) south of Honolulu, Hawaii. Greg was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Fernanda was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 133.8°W which put it about 1615 miles (2605 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 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

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.

Tropical Storm Hilary Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Hilary formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Hilary was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 102.6°W which put it about 470 miles (755 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Hilary was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Wednesday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Hilary. The circulation around Tropical Storm Hilary was organizing quickly. Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hilary’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Hilary. Winds in the other parts of Hilary’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm 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. Tropical Storm Hilary will intensify during the next 24 hours. Hilary could intensify rapidly at times. Tropical Storm Hilary is likely to strengthen to a hurricane on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Hilary will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Hilary toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Hilary will move parallel to the west coast of Mexico. Hilary will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system during the weekend. Hilary could be near Baja California by Sunday.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Greg was spinning southeast of Hawaii and former Hurricane Fernanda weakened to a tropical storm. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Greg was located at latitude 11.8°N and longitude 151.1°W which put it about 605 miles (975 km) south-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Greg was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fernanda was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 126.8°W which put it about 1165 miles (1875 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 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Greg Moves Southeast of Hawaii

Tropical Storm Greg moved southeast of Hawaii on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Greg was located at latitude 11.1°N and longitude 145.9°W which put it about 850 miles (1370 km) southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Greg was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Greg strengthened a little on Tuesday morning as it moved over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii. Even though Tropical Storm Greg was a little stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms in Greg’s circulation was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Tropical Storm Greg. Bands in the eastern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern half of Greg’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Greg will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Greg will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Greg’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear is already contributing to an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. The vertical wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification. So, Tropical Storm Greg could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Greg will move south of a high pressure system over the eastern and central North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Greg toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Greg will pass far to the south of Hawaii.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Fernanda weakened gradually over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Fernanda was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 121.8°W which put it about 875 miles (1405 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Fernanda was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Fernanda Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Fernanda rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean during Sunday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Fernanda was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 117.7°W which put it about 715 miles (1150 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Fernanda was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

Hurricane Fernanda continued to intensify rapidly during Sunday night. A small eye was at the center of Fernanda’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 revolved around the core of Hurricane Fernanda. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Fernanda was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Fernanda’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.4.

Hurricane Fernanda will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Fernanda 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 Fernanda is likely to continue to intensify during the next 12 hours. Fernanda will move over slightly cooler water on Tuesday. The cooler water will cause Fernanda to start to weaken.

Hurricane Fernanda will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fernanda toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Fernanda will move farther away from Baja California.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Greg formed east-southeast of Hawaii. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Greg was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 139.8°W which put it about 1170 miles (1885 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Greg was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 1005 mb. Tropical Storm Greg is forecast to pass south of Hawaii later this week.

Frank Weakens to a Tropical Storm West of Baja California

Former Hurricane Frank weakened to a tropical storm over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on Monday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Frank was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 121.5°W which put it about 745 miles (1200 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California. Frank was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Former Hurricane Frank weakened to a tropical storm on Monday morning as it moved over cooler water in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California. Tropical Storm Frank was moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 22˚C. Frank was unable to extract enough energy from the cooler water to maintain its intensity and the circulation weakened. The air over the cooler water was more stable and clouds were unable to rise as high into the atmosphere. The bands of thunderstorms weakened. Some drier, more stable air wrapped around the southern side of Frank’s circulation and the bands in that part of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Tropical Storm Frank was still producing a large area of tropical storm force winds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Frank.

Tropical Storm Frank will move through an environment unfavorable for a tropical cyclone during the next few days. Frank will move over water that is even colder than the water it is currently over. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Frank will weaken gradually during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Frank will move around the western part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Frank toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Frank will remain far to the west of Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Georgette stalled west-southwest of Tropical Storm Frank. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Georgette was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 130.2°W which put it about 1505 miles (2420 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Georgette was moving toward the west at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Hurricane Frank Spins Southwest of Baja California

Hurricane Frank continued to spin over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Frank was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 117.7°W which put it about 605 miles (975 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Frank was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

Hurricane Frank appeared to have concentric eyewalls for a time on Saturday afternoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original eye and eyewall. Microwave satellite images depicted a larger outer eyewall surrounding the original eye and eyewall. The inner eyewall weakened somewhat by Saturday night, but it still was present inside the larger outer eyewall. Storms near the core of Frank’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The formation of concentric eyewalls caused the size of the circulation around Hurricane Frank to increase. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Frank. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Frank will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Frank will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Frank could intensify during the next 24 hours if it completes an eyewall replacement cycle. Frank is likely to weaken early next week when it moves over cooler water.

Hurricane Frank will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Frank toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Frank will move parallel to the coast of Baja California, but Frank will remain far to the west of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Georgette was located west-southwest of Hurricane Frank. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Georgette was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 128.5°W which put it about 1385 miles (2225 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Georgette was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Frank Strengthens to a Hurricane Southwest of Baja California

Former Tropical Storm Frank strengthened to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Frank was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 114.8°W which put it about 625 miles (1010 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Frank was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

Hurricane Frank exhibited better organization on infrared and microwave satellite imagery on Friday night. A circular eye appeared at the center of Frank’s circulation on satellite images. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eye and a broken ring of thunderstorms encircled the eye. The strongest winds were occurring in the broken ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Frank. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Frank’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Frank will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Frank will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Frank will intensify during the next 24 hours. There is a chance Frank could rapidly intensify to a major hurricane on Saturday.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Georgette was spinning about 700 miles (1130 km) to the west of Hurricane Frank. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Georgette was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 125.1°W which put it about 1150 miles (1850 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Georgette was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Georgette Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Georgette formed southwest over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Georgette was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 115.9°W which put it about 590 miles (950 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Georgette was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

The circulation around a small low pressure system southwest of Baja California strengthened on Wednesday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Georgette. The circulation around Tropical Storm Georgette was very small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Georgette’s circulation. The winds in the other parts of Georgette were blowing at less than tropical storm force. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tropical Storm Georgette on Wednesday afternoon. Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western side of Georgette. Bands in the eastern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Georgette will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Georgette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. Georgette will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Georgette’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Georgette could strengthen during the next 24 hours, if the vertical wind shear does not increase. The larger circulation around Tropical Storm Frank, which is located east-southeast of Georgette could begin to affect the intensity of Tropical Storm Georgette in a day or so.

Tropical Storm Georgette will move south of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Georgette toward the west during the next 24 hours. If Tropical Storm Frank moves closer to Georgette, then the larger circulation around Frank could start to pull Georgette toward the southwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Georgette will move farther away from Baja California during the next 24 hours.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Fanrk slowly strengthened on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Frank was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 106.8°W which put it about 745 miles (1200 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. Frank was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Jimena Develops East-southeast of Hawaii

Tropical Storm Jimena developed east-southeast of Hawaii on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Jimena was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 136.6°W which put it about 1265 miles (2040 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Jimena was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 1005 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of former Tropical Depression Nine-E on Thursday morning and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Jimena. The circulation around Jimena was asymmetrical. Many of the stronger thunderstorms were developing in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Jimena. Bands in the western half of Jimena consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the northeastern quadrant of the circulation. The winds in the other parts of Jimena were blowing at less that tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Jimena will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Jimena will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C. It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Jimena will move over cooler water on Friday. Jimena could strengthen a little during the next 24 hours, but it is likely to weaken when it moves over cooler water.

Tropical Storm Jimena will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Jimena toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Jimena could be east-northeast of Hawaii in a few days.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Hilda was weakening to the northeast of Tropical Storm Jimena. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Hilda was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 129.2°W which put it about 1255 miles (2020 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California. Hilda was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1005 mb.