The circulation within a cluster of thunderstorms well to the east of Hawaii became more well organized and the system was classified as Tropical Storm Ignacio.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Ignacio was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 133.4°W which put it about 1525 miles (2455 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Ignacio was  moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (9 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (70 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Ignacio is still organizing.  Some thunderstorms are located within the core of the tropical storm and more storms are forming in bands around the circulation.  Ignacio is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  Southeasterly winds in the upper levels are causing some vertical wind shear.  However, some upper level divergence appears to be occurring on the northern side of the circulation.  The environment appears to favor intensification and a period of rapid intensification could occur if an eye starts to form in the core of the tropical storm.

A subtropical ridge is steering Ignacio toward the west and that general motion is expected to continue during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Ignacio would be southeast of Hawaii this weekend.