Tropical Storm Simon formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Simon was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 101.6°W which put the center about 175 miles (285 km) south-southeast of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. Simon was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Wednesday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Simon.
Tropical Storm Simon exhibited better organization on Wednesday afternoon. More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Simon’s circulation. More thunderstorms also started to develop in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Simon. Storms near the center of Simon began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass cause the surface pressure to start to decrease.
The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Simon. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Simon’s circulation. The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Simon were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Simon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Simon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Simon’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Simon will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Simon will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Simon toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. Simon will start to move toward the north on Friday when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Simon could approach the west coast of Mexico on Saturday.
Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Rachel was still spinning west of Baja California.
At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Rachel was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 122.3°W which put the center about 800 miles (1290 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California. Rachel 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 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.






