Genevieve Rapidly Intensifies into a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Genevieve rapidly intensified into a hurricane southwest of Mexico on Monday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Genevieve was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 103.0°W which put it about 250 miles (400 km) south-southwest of Zihuantanejo, Mexico.  Genevieve was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (30 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. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Genevieve rapidly intensified into a hurricane during the past 24 hours.  The inner end of a rainband was wrapping around the center of circulation and an eye was forming at the center of Genevieve.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Genevieve.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center.

Hurricane Genevieve will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Genevieve will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Genevieve will continue to intensify rapidly and it could strengthen into a major hurricane during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Genevieve will move south of a ridge over high pressure over the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico.  The ridge will steer Genevieve toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Genevieve could be south of Baja California on Wednesday.