Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Erick

Tropical Storm Gil Forms Over Eastern North Pacific

Tropical Storm Gil formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday.  A scatterometer onboard a satellite found winds to tropical storm force northeast of the center of former Tropical Depression Eight-E and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Gil.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gil was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 122.4°W which put it about 980 miles (1580 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Gil 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 about 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Gil was asymmetrical.  There was a distinct low level center of circulation which was visible on satellite imagery.  However, the stronger thunderstorms were occurring east of the center of circulation.  Bands in the western half of Gil consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  An upper level trough south of California was producing strong westerly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation.  The winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  Tropical storm force winds were occurring within 80 miles (130 km) of the center of Tropical Storm Gil only in the northeastern quadrant of of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Gil will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification.  Gil will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  However, the upper level trough will continue to cause significant vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification of Tropical Storm Gil.  Gil could weaken to a tropical depression if the shear increases.

Tropical Storm Gil will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Gil in a westward direction during the next several days.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gil will move farther away from Mexico.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, strong vertical wind shear was weakening Tropical Storm Erick and Tropical Storm Flossie.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Erick was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 163.9°W which put it about 480 miles (770 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Erick was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Flossie was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 144.5°W which put it about 695 miles (1115 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Flossie was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Erick Forms Over Eastern North Pacific

Tropical Storm Erick formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Erick was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 126.8°W which put it about 1955 miles (3145 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Erick was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Erick.  The circulation around Erick was still organizing.  A small cluster of thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation and the strongest winds were occurring in that cluster.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing and the bands were beginning to revolve around the center of Tropical Storm Erick.  Storms near the center of circulation were starting to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Erick will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 to 72 hours.  Erick will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27.5°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Erick will strengthen and it could become a hurricane within 48 hours.  Erick could intensify more rapidly if an eye and eyewall form.

Tropical Storm Erick will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The subtropical high will steer Erick toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Erick could be southeast of Hawaii in four or five days.