Category Archives: Eastern and Central Pacific

TCs between Mexico and Hawaii

Iona Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Iona rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Iona was located at latitude 10.7°N and longitude 150.1°W which put the center about 895 miles (1440 km) southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona was moving toward the west 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 994 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Iona rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hurricane Iona.  An eye appeared to be developing at the center of Iona’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Iona.  Storms near the center of Iona generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Iona was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Iona’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Iona.

Hurricane Iona will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Iona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Iona’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Hurricane Iona will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Iona will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Iona toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Iona will pass south of Hawaii on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Two-C formed east-northeast of Hurricane Iona.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Two-C was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 143.6°W which put the center about 1140 miles (1840 km) east-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Tropical Depression Two-C was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 1008 mb.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Iona

Former Tropical Depression One-C strengthened to Tropical Storm Iona over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Iona was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 148.3°W which put the center about 965 miles (1545 km) southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Iona was moving toward the west 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 1005 mb.

Former Tropical Depression One-C strengthened to Tropical Storm Iona over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Sunday.  More stronger thunderstorms formed near the center of Iona’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Iona.  Storms near the center of Iona started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern half of Tropical Storm Iona.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern side of Iona’s circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Iona were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Iona will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Iona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Iona’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Iona will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Iona will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Iona toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Iona will pass south of Hawaii on Tuesday.

Tropical Depression One-C Forms Southeast of Hawaii

Tropical Depression One-C formed over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii on Saturday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression One-C was located at latitude 10.9°N and longitude 145.6°W which put the center about 1085 miles (1445 km) southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Tropical Depression One-C was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

A low pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean southeast of Hawaii strengthened on Saturday night and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression One-C.

The circulation around Tropical Depression One-C was exhibiting more organization early on Sunday.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of the tropical depression.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Depression One-C.

Tropical Depression One-C 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 near 28°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the depression.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression One-C is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression One-C will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the tropical depression will pass south of Hawaii early next week.

Hurricane Flossie Weakens Rapidly

Hurricane Flossie weakened rapidly on Wednesday evening as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 19.8°N and longitude 110.2°W which put the center about 215 miles (345 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Flossie was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 986 mb.

Hurricane Flossie was weakening rapidly on Wednesday evening as it moved over cooler water south of Baja California.  Many of the thunderstorms in Flossie’s circulation were dissipating,  The bands revolving around the center of Hurricane Flossie consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The dissipation of the thunderstorms in Flossie greatly reduced the upper level divergence.  Much less mass was being pumped away from Hurricane Flossie.  The continued convergence of mass in the lower levels of Flossie’s circulation caused the surface pressure to increase quickly.

The circulation around Hurricane Flossie was 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 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.

Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23°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.  Even though there will be little vertical wind shear, the cooler water south of Baja California will cause Hurricane Flossie to continue to weaken on Thursday.

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 remain south of Baja California.

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.

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.

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.

Hurricane Erick Hits Southern Mexico

Hurricane Erick hit the coast of southern Mexico on Thursday morning.  Erick started to weaken after it moved inland near the border between Oaxaca and Guerrero.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Erick was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 99.0°W which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) east-northeast of Acapulco, Mexico.  Erick was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Escondido to Acapulco, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico.

Hurricane Erick rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale before it made landfall on the coast of Mexico.  The maximum sustained wind speed at the time of landfall was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).

Hurricane force winds extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Erick’s circulation at the time of landfall.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Erick.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Erick at the time of landfall was 28.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.3.  Hurricane Erick was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Charley when Charley hit southwest Florida in 2004.

The center of Hurricane Erick made landfall near Punta Maldonado.  Erick will continue to move northwest over Guerrero.  Hurricane Erick will weaken quickly when it moves over the Sierra Madres del Sur.  Erick will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero as it weakens.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.