Category Archives: Eastern and Central Pacific

TCs between Mexico and Hawaii

Tropical Storm Enrique Moves over Gulf of California

Tropical Storm Enrique moved over the southern Gulf of California on Tuesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Enrique was located at latitude 23.8°N and longitude 109.1°W which put it about 80 miles (130 km) northeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the 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 1003 mb.

The small circulation around Tropical Storm Enrique moved over the warmer water in the southern Gulf of California on Tuesday evening. New thunderstorms formed just to the east of the center of Enrique. Downdrafts in those thunderstorms transported stronger winds to the surface and Enrique maintained tropical storm intensity. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Enrique. Bands in the other quadrants of the circulation consisted of showers and lower clouds. The winds were blowing at less than tropical storm force in those parts of Enrique.

Tropical Storm Enrique will move through an environment that could allow it to maintain its intensity during the next few hours. Enrique will move over water in the Gulf of California where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Enrique is likely to weaken rapidly when the center moves over mountains in southern Baja California.

Tropical Storm Enrique will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico. The high will steer Enrique toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Enrique could pass near La Paz during the middle of Wednesday. Enrique could make landfall north of La Paz later on Wednesday. Tropical Storm Enrique will bring gusty winds and isolated heavy rainfall to parts of southeastern Baja California on Wednesday.

Enrique Moves away from Cabo Corrientes, Watch Issued for Baja California

Hurricane Enrique moved slowly away from Cabo Corrientes on Monday morning and a Tropical Storm Watch was issued for a portion of the coast of southern Baja California. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Enrique was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 106.7°W which put it about 65 miles (105 km) west of Cabo Corrietnes, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the north-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Cabo San Lucas to Los Barriles, Mexico. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Playa Perula, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula and from Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Mita to San Blas, Mexico.

Hurricane Enrique was moving slowly away from Cabo Corrientes on Monday morning. Enrique began to weaken as it moved away from the west coast of Mexico. Drier air was wrapping into the core of Hurricane Enrique. The thunderstorms around the eye were not as tall and breaks appeared to be developing in the eyewall. The wind speed was decreasing slowly near the center of circulation. Thunderstorms were also not as strong in the bands revolving around the core of Enrique. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center.

Hurricane Enrique will move through an environment that will be less favorable for a hurricane during the next several days. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are cooler. It will move into a region where there is more drier air. The upper level winds will be weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, a combination of cooler water and drier air is likely to cause Hurricane Enrique to weaken gradually during the next 48 hours. Enrique could weaken to a tropical storm on Tuesday.

Hurricane Enrique will move around the southwestern part of a surface high pressure system during the next several days. The high will steer Enrique toward the northwest. On its anticipated track Hurricane Enrique will move away from the west coast of Mexico. Enrique could approach the southern end of Baja California on Tuesday night. It is likely to be a tropical storm when it reaches Baja California.

Mexico Issues Hurricane Warning for Enrique

The government of Mexico issued a Hurricane Warning for a portion of the west coast of Mexico on Sunday afternoon because of the potential effects of Hurricane Enrique. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Enrique was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 105.7°W which put it about 95 miles (155 km) south of Cabo Corrietnes, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Play Perula, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula and from Cabo Corrientes 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 small eye appeared intermittently at the center of Hurricane Enrique on visible satellite images on Sunday. High clouds from a ring of thunderstorms around the eye obscured the eye at other times. The strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms around the eye. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Enrique. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hurricane Enrique. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Enrique will move through an environment that will be mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. The circulation on the eastern side of Hurricane Enrique will draw in some drier air from over Mexico. The drier air could limit the formation of thunderstorms in the eastern half of Enrique. Hurricane Enrique could get a little stronger during the next 24 hours. However, if drier air makes it to the core of Enrique, it could weaken the hurricane.

Hurricane Enrique will move around the western side of a surface high pressure system during the next few hours. The high will steer Enrique toward the north during that time period. On its anticipated track the core of Enrique is forecast to pass just to the west of Cabo Corrientes during the first half of Monday. The core of Hurricane Enrique with the strongest winds is forecast to pass just west of the coast. However, the eastern side of Enrique will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to portions of Jalisco around Cabo Corrientes.

A second, smaller high pressure system is forecast to form northeast of Hurricane Enrique on Monday. The second high will steer Enrique toward the northwest on Monday. On its anticipated track Hurricane Enrique could approach the southern end of Baja California on Wednesday.

Enrique Strengthens to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Enrique strengthened to a hurricane south of Mexico on Saturday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Enrique was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 105.3°W which put it about 230 miles (370 km) south of Cabo Corrietnes, Mexico. Enrique 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 982 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to San Blas, Mexico.

The circulation around Hurricane Enrique exhibited much more organization on Saturday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Enrique. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Enrique. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Enrique. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Enrique will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move southeast of an upper level ridge centered over the southwestern U.S. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. A small upper level low south of Baja California will enhance upper level divergence to the northwest of Hurricane Enrique. Enrique will intensify continue to during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Enrique will move around the southwestern side of a surface high pressure system over Mexico. The high will steer Enrique toward the northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track the center of Hurricane Enrique is forecast to be southwest of Cabo Corrientes by Sunday evening. Bands on the eastern side of Enrique could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the west coast of Mexico. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.

Tropical Storm Enrique Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Enrique formed south of Mexico on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Enrique was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 101.7°W which put it about 325 miles (525 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the west-northwest 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. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

An area of low pressure south of Mexico strengthened on Friday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Enrique. The circulation around Tropical Storm Enrique was organizing on Friday morning. Thunderstorms were developing near the center of Enrique. Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Enrique. The winds were blowing at less than tropical storm force in the other parts of Enrique.

Tropical Storm Enrique will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move southeast of an upper level ridge centered over the southwestern U.S. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Enrique will intensify during the next 48 hours and it could strengthen to a hurricane during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Enrique will move around the southwestern side of a surface high pressure system over Mexico. The high will steer Enrique toward the west-northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Enrique is forecast to move parallel to the west coast of Mexico during the next 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Dolores Drops Heavy Rain over Western Mexico

Tropical Storm Dolores dropped heavy rain over western Mexico on Saturday. Dolores weakened to a tropical depression on Saturday evening when the center moved inland. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Dolores was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 104.2°W which put it about 80 miles (130 km) northeast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Dolores was moving toward the north-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1001 mb.

Tropical Storm Dolores made landfall on the coast of Mexico southeast of Manzanillo on Saturday afternoon. The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) at the time of landfall. Dolores moved steadily toward the north-northwest after it made landfall. The lower part of the circulation around Tropical Storm Dolores weakened quickly when it moved inland over the mountains in west central Mexico. Even though it was weakening, rising motion in portions of the circulation around Dolores was enhanced in places where the air moved up the sides of mountains. Tropical Storm Dolores dropped heavy rain over parts of Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit.

Tropical Storm Dolores Strengthens Near Mexico

Tropical Storm Dolores strengthened near the west coast of Mexico on Saturday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Dolores was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 103.4°W which put it about 95 miles (155 km) southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dolores was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to Escuinapa, Mexico.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Dolores exhibited much more organization on Saturday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western, southern and eastern sides of the center of circulation. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Dolores. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The circulation around Tropical Storm Dolores was relatively small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the northern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the southern half of Dolores.

Tropical Storm Dolores will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Dolores will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak in that portion of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Dolores could strengthen to a hurricane before it makes landfall.

Tropical Storm Dolores will move around the western end of a small high pressure system over southern Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Dolores toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Dolores could make landfall on the coast of Mexico east of Manzanillo in a few hours. Dolores could be a hurricane when it makes landfall. Tropical Storm Dolores will bring gusty winds to the region near and to the east of Manzanillo. It could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) in some locations on the coast. Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Dolores could drop heavy rain on parts of western Guerrero, Colima and Jalisco. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Dolores Forms South of Mexico, Warning Issued

Tropical Storm Dolores formed south of Mexico on Friday morning and the government of Mexico issued warnings and watches for portions of the coast. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Dolores was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 102.5°W which put it about 320 miles (515 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dolores was moving toward the west-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 1004 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to Escuinapa, Mexico.

The circulation around a low pressure system south of Mexico strengthened on Friday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Dolores. Dolores exhibited increasing organization on conventional and microwave satellite imagery. Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Dolores.

Tropical Storm Dolores will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dolores will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Dolores. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Dolores will intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen to a hurricane on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Dolores will move around the western end of a small high pressure system over southern Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Dolores toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Dolores could approach the coast of Mexico between Manzanillo and Cabo Corrientes on Saturday. Dolores could be a hurricane when it approaches the coast. Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Dolores could drop heavy rain on parts of Colima and Jalisco. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Carlos Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Carlos formed southwest of Baja California on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Carlos was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 124.5°W which put it about 1225 miles (1970 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Carlos was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

The circulation around a low pressure system southwest of Baja California exhibited more organization on satellite imagery on Saturday night and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Carlos. More thunderstorms were developing near the center of Carlos. Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. However, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Carlos. Bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 25 miles (40 km) on the northern side of Carlos. The winds were blowing at less than tropical storm force in the southern half of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Carlos will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Carlos will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Carlos. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and they already contributed to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Carlos will likely strengthen on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Carlos will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Carlos toward the west during the next 24 hours. The steering currents could weaken during the early part of next week and Tropical Storm Carlos could meander slowly well to the southwest of Baja California.

Tropical Storm Blanca Weakens South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Blanca weakened south of Baja California on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Blanca was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 110.9°W which put it about 570 miles (915 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California. Blanca was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1001 mb.

After reaching its maximum intensity on Monday night when the sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h), Tropical Storm Blanca weakened on Tuesday afternoon. An upper level trough west of Baja California produced moderate southwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Blanca’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and the shear caused Tropical Storm Blanca to weaken. The vertical wind shear also caused an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms around Blanca. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Blanca. Bands in the western half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Blanca.

Tropical Storm Blanca will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next several days. Blanca will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. However the upper level trough west of Baja California will cause strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear will cause Blanca to weaken. Tropical Storm Blanca could weaken to a tropical depression in a day or two.

Tropical Storm Blanca will move around the southern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Blanca toward the west-northwest during the next two days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Blanca will move farther away from Baja California.