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.