Category Archives: Tropical Cyclones

Information about tropical cyclones

Flossie Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Flossie intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 107.4°W which put the center about 365 miles (585 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.   Flossie was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h).   The minimum surface pressure was 962 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

Hurricane Flossie continued to intensify on Tuesday evening.  A circular eye was at the center of Flossie’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Flossie.  Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Flossie was relatively small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Flossie is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 8.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 28.9.  Hurricane Flossie is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the adjacent part of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Flossie could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.  Flossie will move over cooler water later in Wednesday.  Hurricane Flossie will start to weaken when it moves over cooler water.

Hurricane Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Flossie will start to move farther away from the coast of southwestern Mexico.  Flossie will move south of Baja California on Wednesday night.

Bands in the northeastern side of Hurricane Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southwestern Mexico.  The heaviest rain will fall in parts of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Flossie Strengthens to Cat. 2

Hurricane Flossie strengthened to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 105.9°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Flossie was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hurricane Flossie on Tuesday morning.  A circular eye was visible at the center of Flossie’s circulation on satellite images.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Flossie.  Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The area of hurricane force winds speeds in Hurricane Flossie increased on Tuesday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.

Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the adjacent part of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Flossie will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Flossie could intensify rapidly at times.  Hurricane Flossie is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Wednesday.

Hurricane Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Flossie will move parallel to the coast of southwestern Mexico.  Flossie is likely to move south of Baja California on Wednesday night.

Bands in the northeastern side of Hurricane Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southwestern Mexico.  The heaviest rain will fall in parts of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flossie Intensifies to a Hurricane South of Mexico

Former Tropical Storm Flossie intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 104.3°W which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Flossie was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Flossie intensified steadily on Monday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded Flossie to a hurricane on Monday night.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of Hurricane Flossie.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Flossie’s circulation.  The strongest winds were occurring in the inner end of the rainband that wrapped around the center of Hurricane Flossie.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of winds speeds in Hurricane Flossie became more symmetrical on Monday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.

Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the adjacent part of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Flossie will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Flossie could intensify rapidly at times.  Hurricane Flossie could strengthen to a major hurricane.

Hurricane Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Flossie will move parallel to the coast of southwestern Mexico.

Bands in the northern side of Hurricane Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southwestern Mexico.   The heaviest rain will fall in parts of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Depression Barry Brings Rain to Eastern Mexico

Tropical Depression Barry brought rain to eastern Mexico on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Barry was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 97.8°W which put the center about 15 miles (25 km) south-southeast of Tampico, Mexico.  Barry was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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. (55 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Barry weakened to a tropical depression on Sunday night just before it made landfall on the coast of Mexico south of Tampico.  An upper level ridge over southern Mexico produced strong westerly winds that blew toward the top of Barry’s circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear caused Barry to weaken to a tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Barry will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Barry toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Barry will move inland over Mexico west of Tampico.

Tropical Depression Barry is likely to weaken quickly as it moves farther inland.  Even though Barry will weaken quickly, it could drop heavy rain on parts of the state of Veracruz.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations, especially in mountainous areas.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Flossie

Former Tropical Depression Six-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Flossie over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Flossie was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 99.9°W which put the center about 240 miles (390 km) south of Acapulco, Mexico.   Flossie was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.

Former Tropical Depression Six-E continued to strengthen on Sunday.  The U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded former Tropical Depression Six-E to Tropical Storm Flossie.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Flossie continue to get more organized on Sunday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Flossie’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Flossie.  Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Tropical Storm Flossie will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over southeastern Mexico and the adjacent part of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Flossie will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Flossie could intensify rapidly at times.  Tropical Storm Flossie is likely to strengthen to a hurricane on Monday.

Tropical Storm Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over southern Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Flossie will move a little closer to the coast of southern Mexico.

Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southern Mexico.  Heavy rains could cause flash floods in some locations.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Barry

Former Tropical Depression Two strengthened to Tropical Storm Barry over the western Bay of Campeche on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Barry was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 96.2°W which put the center about 90 miles (145 km) east-southeast of Tuxpan, Mexico.   Barry was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1006 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca de Catan to Tecolutla, Mexico.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that former Tropical Depression Two had strengthened to Tropical Storm Barry.  The aircraft found a distinct low level center of circulation.  It also found an area where the sustained wind speed was at tropical storm force.  Based on data collected by the reconnaissance flight, the U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Barry.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Barry was exhibiting evidence of strong vertical wind shear.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Barry’s circulation.  Bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Barry consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Barry was also asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Barry’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Barry were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Barry will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Barry will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce strong westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Barry’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit further intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent some additional intensification.  Tropical Storm Barry could intensify a little more during the next few hours.

Tropical Storm Barry will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Barry toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Barry will make landfall between Tuxpan and Tampico in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Barry will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to coastal sections of the state of Veracruz.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods, especially in mountainous areas.

Tropical Depression Six-E Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Depression Six-E formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico early on Sunday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Six-E was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 99.5°W which put the center about 270 miles (435 km) south of Acapulco, Mexico.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Zihuatanejo to Manzanillo, Mexico.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened early on Sunday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Six-E.

The circulation around Tropical Depression Six-E exhibited much more organization on Sunday morning.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of the depression’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Depression Six-E.  Storms near the center of circulation started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to start to decrease.

Tropical Depression Six-E will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over southeastern Mexico and the adjacent part of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression Six-E will intensify during the next 24 hours.  It is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm by Monday.  The tropical depression could intensify to a hurricane early next week.

Tropical Depression Six-E will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over southern Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Six-E will move a little closer to the coast of southern Mexico.

Bands on the northern side of Tropical Depression Six-E will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southern Mexico.  Heavy rains could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Depression Two Forms Over Bay of Campeche

Tropical Depression Two formed over the Bay of Campeche east of Veracruz on Saturday afternoon.  The government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Warning for a portion of the coast.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Two was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 94.2°W which put the center about 130 miles (210 km) east of Veracruz, Mexico.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1011 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Boca de Catan to Tecolutla, Mexico.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane investigated a low pressure system over the Bay of Campeche on Saturday afternoon.  Based on data collected by the aircraft and other information, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Two.

More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Depression Two on Saturday afternoon.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the northern side of the depression’s circulation.  Bands in the southern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression Two will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the northwestern part of an upper level ridge over southeastern Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the depression’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear ill not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression Two will intensify during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm on Sunday.

Tropical Depression Two will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from the Atlantic Ocean to over the Gulf of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Two will move toward the east coast of Mexico.  The tropical depression is likely to make landfall between Veracruz and Tampico on Sunday night.

Tropical Depression Two is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm before it makes landfall on the coast of Mexico.  It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to coastal sections of the state of Veracruz.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods, especially in mountainous areas.

Sepat Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Sepat weakened to a tropical depression over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Sepat was located at latitude 32.4°N and longitude 139.5°E which put the center about 230 miles (370 km) south of Tokyo, Japan.  Sepat was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

Former Tropical Storm Sepat weakened to a tropical depression on Tuesday as it moved over the Western North Pacific Ocean south of Japan.  Many of the thunderstorms in Sepat’s circulation dissipated.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Depression Sepat.  Most of the bands revolving around the center of Sepat’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Depression Sepat will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Sepat will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge south of Japan.  The upper level ridge will produce west-southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Sepat’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear and marginal Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Tropical Depression Sepat to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Sepat will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Sepat toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Sepat will approach eastern Honshu in 12 hours.  The center of Sepat’s circulation is likely to pass just to the southeast of Tokyo.

Tropical Depression Sepat is likely to bring gusty winds and rain to the part of Honshu southeast of Tokyo.

Tropical Storm Andrea Forms over the Central Atlantic

Tropical Storm Andrea formed over the Central Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Azores on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Andrea was located at latitude 36.6°N and longitude 48.9°W which put the center about 1205 miles (1940 km) west of the Azores.  Andrea was moving toward the east-northeast 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 1014 mb.

Thunderstorms persisted in parts of a low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda and the Azores and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Andrea on Tuesday morning.

Thunderstorms were occurring mainly in bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Andrea.  Bands in the southern half of Andrea’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and low clouds.

Tropical storm force winds extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Andrea.  The winds in the other parts of Andrea’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Andrea will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification of a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.  Andrea will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level low over the Central Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level low will produce strong westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Andrea’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear.  Strong vertical wind shear and cool Sea Surface Temperatures are likely to cause Tropical Storm Andrea to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Andrea will move around the northern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Central Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Andrea toward the east-northeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Andrea will move toward the Azores.