Category Archives: Eastern and Central Pacific

TCs between Mexico and Hawaii

Tropical Storm Lidia Meanders South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Lidia meandered over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Lidia was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 112.2°W which put it about 485 miles (780 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Lidia was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 995 mb.

Tropical Storm Lidia meandered slowly south of Baja California on Saturday. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Lidia continued to be asymmetrical on Saturday. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in a bands in the southern and western parts of Lidia’s circulation. Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Lidia consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Lidia’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Lidia’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Lidia will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lidia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that extends from Mexico to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lidia’s circulation. Those winds will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear is likely to inhibit intensification of Tropical Storm Lidia during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Lidia will be in an area where the steering currents are weak during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lidia is likely to continue to meander the south of Baja California on Sunday. An upper level trough west of California will move closer to Lidia on Monday. The upper level trough is likely to steer Lidia toward the northeast early next week. Lidia could approach the west coast of Mexico by Tuesday. Tropical Storm Lidia could strengthen to a hurricane as it approaches the coast of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Lidia Moves South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Lidia moved south of Baja California on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Lidia was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 109.4°W which put it about 505 miles (815 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Lidia was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

Tropical Storm Lidia strengthened gradually over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday. Even though Tropical Storm Lidia was a little stronger, the distribution of thunderstorms continued to be asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in a bands in the western part of Lidia’s circulation. Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lidia consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Lidia’s circulation on Wednesday evening. 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 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Lidia’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Lidia will move through an environment that will be a little more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lidia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that extends from Mexico to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lidia’s circulation. Those winds will weaken a little on Thursday and there will be a little less vertical vertical wind shear. The reduction of wind shear could allow Tropical Storm Lidia intensify a little faster during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Lidia will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Lidia toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lidia will remain far to the south of Baja California on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Lidia Forms Southwest of Mexico

Tropical Storm Lidia formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Lidia was located at latitude 11.°N and longitude 107.0°W which put it about 790 miles (1270 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Lidia 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. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico strengthened on Tuesday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Lidia. The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Lidia was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in a bands in the western part of Lidia’s circulation. Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Lidia consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms in the bands in the western part of Lidia started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. Wind to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the western side of Lidia’s circulation. The winds in the eastern part of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Lidia will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lidia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move over the southern part of an upper level ridge that extends from Mexico to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lidia’s circulation. Those winds are contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms and they will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to stop Lidia from strengthening. Tropical Storm Lidia could intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Lidia will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Lidia toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lidia will move farther away from the west coast of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Kenneth Strengthens a Little

Tropical Storm Kenneth strengthened a little over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Kenneth was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 124.2°W which put it about 1055 miles (1700 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Kenneth was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 Kenneth got a little stronger on Wednesday, but the distribution of thunderstorms around was still asymmetrical. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Kenneth’s circulation. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in that rainband. Bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Kenneth consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Kenneth’s circulation. The winds in the southern part of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Kenneth will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Kenneth will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. An upper level trough east of Hawaii will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kenneth’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Tropical Storm Kenneth will start to weaken when the vertical wind shear increases.

Tropical Storm Kenneth will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Kenneth toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kenneth will stay far away from Baja California and Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Kenneth Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Kenneth formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Kenneth was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 121.0°W which put it about 900 miles (1450 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Kenneth was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California strengthened on Tuesday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Kenneth. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Kenneth was very asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in a couple of bands in the northwestern part of Kenneth’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force were also occurring in the northwestern quadrant of Tropical Storm Kenneth. The winds in the other parts of Kenneth’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Kenneth will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Kenneth will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Kenneth’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Kenneth could intensify on Wednesday, if the vertical wind shear is not too strong. An upper level trough east of Hawaii will produce southwesterly winds that will affect Kenneth later this week. The southwesterly winds will cause more vertical wind shear and the wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Kenneth to weaken.

Tropical Storm Kenneth will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Kenneth toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kenneth will move farther away from Baja California.

Jova Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Jova weakened to a tropical storm over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California during Friday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Jova was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 124.6°W which put it about 945 miles (1520 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 986 mb.

Former Category 5 Hurricane Jova weakened to a tropical storm over cooler water during Friday night. Even though Jova weakened to a tropical storm, its circulation was well organized. Tropical Storm Jova completed an eyewall replacement cycle as it moved over cooler water. The original inner eye and eyewall dissipated. The outer eyewall surrounded a clear area at the center of Jova’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Tropical Storm Jova. The thunderstorms did not rise as high in the atmosphere because of the cooler water at the surface of ocean. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Jova will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Jova will continue to weaken gradually over cooler water, even though there will be little vertical wind shear. Jova could weaken to a tropical depression by the end of the weekend.

Tropical Storm Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jova will move farther away from Baja California.

Hurricane Jova Weakens Southwest of Baja California

Hurricane Jova weakened over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Jova was located at latitude 18.3°N and longitude 118.6°W which put it about 645 miles (1040 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 951 mb.

Hurricane Jova started an eyewall replacement cycle on Thursday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original eye and eyewall. A larger outer eyewall surrounded the original eye and eyewall. The inner eyewall, which was where the strongest winds were, began to weaken after the outer eyewall developed. The inner eyewall was still evident on microwave satellite images on Thursday night. A larger clear area, sometimes called a moat, was between the inner eyewall and the outer eyewall. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the two concentric eyewalls.

Hurricane Jova started to weaken as the eyewall replacement cycle progressed. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.0.

Hurricane Jova will move through an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are cooler than 26°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Jova will weaken during the next 24 hours as the inner eyewall dissipates. Jova will weaken more quickly when it moves over cooler water.

Hurricane Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Jova will move farther away from Baja California.

Hurricane Jova Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Jova rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Jova was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 113.0°W which put it about 535 miles (865 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 929 mb.

Hurricane Jova intensified from a tropical depression to a Category 5 hurricane in 48 hours. A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) formed at the center of Jova’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 Jova. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Jova increased as Jova rapidly intensified. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.0.

Hurricane Jova will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Jova could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours. The inner end of a rainband appeared to be wrapping around the existing eye and eyewall in the core of Jova’s circulation. If concentric eyewalls form, then an eyewall replacement cycle will cause Hurricane Jova to weaken on Thursday. Jova will move over cooler water on Friday, which will also cause it to weaken.

Hurricane Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Jova will stay far to the southwest of Baja California.

Jova Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Jova rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Jova was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 111.7°W which put it about 565 miles (910 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 953 mb.

Hurricane Jova intensified very rapidly to a major hurricane on Wednesday. A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) formed at the center of Jova’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 Jova. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Hurricane Jova rapidly intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 7.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.5.

Hurricane Jova will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Jova will intensify during the next 24 hours. Jova could strengthen to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Hurricane Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Jova will stay far to the southwest of Baja California.

Jova Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Jova rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California during Tuesday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Jova was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 109.6°W which put it about 640 miles (1035 km) southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 979 mb.

The maximum sustained wind speed in former Tropical Storm Jova increased 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) during the past 24 hours. The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Hurricane Jova. The strongest winds were occurring in the inner end of the rainband. A small circular eye was starting to appear on microwave satellite images. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Jova. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (20 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Jova will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jova’s circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Jova will intensify during the next 36 hours. Jova is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Wednesday.

Hurricane Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Jova will stay far to the southwest of Baja California.