Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Beatriz

Tropical Storm Beatriz Moves Along West Coast of Mexico

Tropical Storm Beatriz was moving along the west coast of Mexico on Saturday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Beatriz was located at latitude 19.8°N and longitude 105.4°W which put it about 45 miles (75 km) south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. Beatriz was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Manzanillo to Punta Mita, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Mita to San Blas, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for Las Islas Marias.

The center of former Hurricane Beatriz made a landfall near Punta San Telmo, Mexico during Friday night. When the center of Beatriz made landfall, it significantly disrupted the inner core of Beatriz’ circulation. The disruption of the inner core caused Beatriz to weaken to a tropical storm. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Beatriz became asymmetrical after if made landfall. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Beatriz’ circulation. Bands in the eastern part of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Beatriz.

Former Hurricane Beatriz brought gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the west coast of Mexico from Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes during Friday night. The heaviest rain fell along the coast in Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.

Tropical Storm Beatriz will move through an environment that will be only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Beatriz will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over northern Mexico. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Beatriz’ circulation. Those winds will cause the wind shear to increase. Since Tropical Storm Beatriz is near the west coast of Mexico, it’s circulation will pull drier air into the eastern and northern parts of Beatriz. The drier air will inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in those parts of the circulation. Since the inner core of Tropical Storm Beatriz was disrupted when it moved over the coast, Beatriz is likely to continue to weaken during the next 36 hours.

The upper level ridge over northern Mexico will steer Tropical Storm Beatriz toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Beatriz will gradually move away from the west coast of Mexico. The gusty winds and locally heavy rain in Jalisco will gradually diminish on Saturday. Beatriz could move southeast of Baja California on Sunday.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Adrian weakened south of Baja California. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Adrian was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 114.0°W which put it about 425 miles (685 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Adrian was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

Tropical Storm Beatriz Develops Near Mexico

Tropical Storm Beatriz developed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean near Mexico on Thursday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Beatriz was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 99.4°W which put it about 135 miles (220 km) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Beatriz was moving toward the west-northwest 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 Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Zihuatenajo to Playa Perula, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Manzanillo. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatenajo, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Warning included Acapulco. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, Mexico.

Former Tropical Depression Two-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Beatriz over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean near Mexico on Thursday afternoon. A distinct low level center of circulation was evident on visible satellite images of Tropical Storm Beatriz. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Beatriz’ circulation. Storm near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Beatriz. The winds in the other parts of Beatriz’ circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Beatriz will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Beatriz will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the southern U.S. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Beatriz. However, the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Beatriz will intensify during the next 24 hours. Beatriz could intensify rapidly at times. Tropical Storm Beatriz could strengthen to a hurricane during the next 24 hours.

The upper level ridge over Mexico and the southern U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Beatriz toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Beatriz will move closer to the coast of Mexico. The center of Beatriz could be near Manzanillo by Friday evening. Beatriz could be a hurricane when it gets near Manzanillo. Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Beatriz could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the west coast of Mexico. Locally heavy rain could fall in parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero. Strong winds and locally heavy rain could affect Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Adrian was churning south of Baja California. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Adrian was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 110.7°W which put it about 450 miles (720 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California. Adrian was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 980 mb.

Tropical Storm Beatriz Brings Heavy Rain to Southern Mexico

Tropical Depression Two-E intensified into Tropical Storm Beatriz on Thursday and Beatriz brought heavy rain to parts of southern Mexico.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Beatriz was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 96.8°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Puerto Angel, Mexico.  Beatriz was moving toward the north-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Salina Cruz to Puerto Escondido.

Tropical Depression Two-E intensified into Tropical Storm Beatriz on Thursday even though its structure evolved into a more asymmetrical system.  Tropical Storm Beatriz appeared to consist of a larger low pressure system which was centered just off the coast of Mexico.  The weather radar from Puerto Angel confirmed that the center of circulation was still offshore.  There were several smaller (mesoscale) counterclockwise rotating circulations that were revolving around the center of the larger low.  At least one of the smaller circulations was already over southern Mexico.  Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in a broad band that wrapped around the eastern and northern portions of the larger low pressure system.  The strongest winds were occurring within this primary rainband.  There were far fewer thunderstorms in the western half of the circulation.  It seemed that after air descended from mountains in Mexico then the air was drawn into the western side of Tropical Storm Beatriz.  The warmer drier air was inhibiting the formation of thunderstorms in the western half of Beatriz.

Although Tropical Storm Beatriz is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C, other environmental factors are unfavorable for intensification.  The proximity to land and the apparent ingestion of drier air are both negative factors.  A narrow upper level ridge oriented from the south-southwest to the north-northeast and a upper level trough to the west of Beatriz are producing brisk southerly winds that are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those upper level winds are causing moderate vertical wind shear.  Therefore, Tropical Storm Beatriz is unlike to intensify further during the next several days.

The future track of Tropical Storm Beatriz is uncertain.  If the circulation of Beatriz remains intact then the upper level trough and upper level ridge are likely to steer it toward the north-northeast.  Tropical Storm Beatriz would dissipate over the mountains of Mexico if that scenario occurs.  If the upper level winds are strong enough, the vertical shear could detach the upper portion of the circulation from the low level circulation.  That scenario sometimes occurs when slow moving storms approach the south coast of Mexico.  If that happens, the upper half of the circulation could be transported across Mexico and move over the southern Gulf of Mexico.  Some models are suggesting that a new surface low could form over the southern Gulf in several days, but the wind shear would have to decrease in order for that to occur.  The lower level circulation could be left behind near the coast of Mexico where it would drift slowly near the coast.

Tropical Storm Beatriz is bringing heavy rains to parts of southern Mexico and the heavy rain will continue to fall on Friday.  Locally heavy rain in the more mountainous portions of Oaxaca could create the potential for dangerous flash floods.