Tag Archives: Hurricane Nana

Tropical Storm Julio Develops South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Julio developed south of Mexico on Saturday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Julio was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 102.7°W which put it about 180 miles (290 km) south-southwest of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.  Julio was moving toward the west-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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.

The middle and upper portion of the circulation around former Hurricane Nana moved westward from Guatemala over the Gulf of Tehuantepec south of Mexico.  A surface circulation redeveloped over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of the surface circulation and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Julio on Saturday afternoon.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Julio was small.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 35 miles from the center of Julio.  The stronger winds were occurring north of the center of circulation.  Thunderstorms continued to form near the center.  Short, narrow bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Julio will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification.  Julio will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  So, there is sufficient energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, an upper level ridge over Mexico will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of Julio.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  In addition, visible satellite images suggest that there is another small low pressure system about 250 miles (400 km) west of Tropical Storm Julio.  Interaction with the small low pressure system could also disrupt the circulation around Julio.

The ridge over Mexico will steer Tropical Storm Julio toward the west-northwest.  However, interaction with the small low pressure system west of Julio could also affect the track.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Julio will move toward a position south of Baja California on Sunday night.

Nana Strengthens to a Hurricane Near Belize

Former Tropical Storm Nana strengthened into a hurricane as it neared a landfall in Belize.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Nana was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 87.5°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) southeast of Belize City, Belize.  Nana was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 994 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Belize City to the Belize/Guatemala border.  A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Belize City to the Belize/Mexico border.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Belize City to Belize/Mexico border.  A Hurricane Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Costa Maya to Chetumal, Mexico.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the Caribbean Sea coast of Guatemala, Isla Roatan and the Bay Islands.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the north coast of Honduras from Punta Patuca to the border with Guatemala.

Former Tropical Storm Nana moved into a more favorable environment on Wednesday night and strengthened to a hurricane.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation and those thunderstorms helped to spin up the circulation.  Since the circulation around Hurricane Nana was relatively small, it was able to spin up into a hurricane in a few hours.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) on the northern side of Nana.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Nana has a few more hours when it could strengthen before it makes landfall in southern Belize.  Nana will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be less vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Nana could get a little stronger.

Hurricane Nana will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Nana a little to the south of due west.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Nana will make landfall on the coast of Belize south of Belize City early on Wednesday morning.  Nana will be capable of causing localized wind damage.  It could cause a storm surge of up to eight feet (2.6 meters) along the south coast of Belize.  Hurricane Nana will drop heavy rain over parts of southern Belize and northern Guatemala.  Flash floods could occur in some locations.

Elsewhere over the North Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Omar weakened to a tropical depression north of Bermuda.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Omar was located at latitude 36.1°N and longitude 64.1°W which put it about 265 miles (425 km) north of Bermuda.  Omar was moving toward the east at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.