Tropical Storm Hilda Develops South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Hilda developed south of Baja California on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Hilda was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 114.6°W which put it about 735 miles (1185 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Hilda was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1003 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system south of Baja California exhibited more organization on Friday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Hilda. The circulation around Tropical Storm Hilda was asymmetrical. A band of thunderstorms was wrapping around the western side of the center of Hilda. Other 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. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) to the east of the center of Tropical Storm Hilda. Winds in the western side of Hilda were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Hilda will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Hilda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Hilda will intensify on Saturday and it could intensify to a hurricane during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Hilda will move south of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high will steer Hilda toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Hilda will move farther away from Baja California.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Nine-E developed west of Tropical Storm Hilda on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Nine-E was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 126.2°W which put it about 1290 miles (2075 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The depression was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1007 mb.