Tropical Depression Eleven-E Strengthens to Tropical Storm Javier

Former Tropical Depression Eleven-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Javier over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Thursday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Javier was located at latitude 19.9°N and longitude 111.7°W which put it about 235 miles (380 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Javier was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1000 mb.

Thunderstorms became more concentrated near the center of former Tropical Depression Eleven-E on Thursday night and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Javier. The circulation around Tropical Storm Javier was still large. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Javier’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Javier.

Tropical Storm Javier will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Javier is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours. The large circulation around Javier could prevent it from intensifying quickly.

Tropical Storm Javier will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Javier toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Javier will move parallel to the southwest coast of Baja California.