Tag Archives: Tropical Depression Twenty-E

Tropical Depression 20E Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Depression Twenty-E (20E) formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Thursday. At 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Twenty-E was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 121.9°W which put it about 1090 miles (1755 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean strengthened on Thursday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Twenty-E. Tropical Depression 20E had a well defined low level circulation, but it was in an environment of strong vertical wind shear. The tropical depression was under the eastern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge was producing northwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of the tropical depression. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear. The wind shear was causing the distribution of thunderstorms to be asymmetrical. Bands near the center of Tropical Depression 20E and in the northwestern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Some thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southeastern part of the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Twenty-E will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However, the upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean will continue to cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. The northwesterly winds in the upper levels could weaken a little on Friday. Tropical Depression Twenty-E could intensify a little during the next 24 hours, if the wind shear decreases.

Tropical Depression Twenty-E will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression slowly toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Twenty-E will remain far to the southwest of Baja California.

Tropical Depression Twenty-E Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Depression Twenty-E formed south of Baja California on Thursday night.  At 10:00 p.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Twenty-E was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 108.4°W which put it about 690 miles (1110 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  The depression was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h.(8 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Thursday night and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Twenty-E.  The circulation around the depression was still organizing.  Thunderstorms were forming near the center of the depression.   The thunderstorms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the depression.  Other thunderstorms were developing in bands around the circulation.

Tropical Depression Twenty-E will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next day or two.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The depression is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm on Friday.

Tropical Depression Twenty-E will move around the western end of a ridge of high pressure over Mexico.  The ridge will steer the depression toward the north.  On its anticipated track the depression will move slowly toward the southern tip of Baja California.