Former Tropical Depression One-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Agatha over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Saturday morning and the government of Mexico issued a Hurricane Watch for a portion of the coast. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Agatha was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 98.4°W which put it about 220 miles (355 km) south-southwest of Puerto Angel, Mexico. Agatha was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

The government of Mexico issued a Hurricane Watch for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Salina Cruz.

Tropical Storm Agatha strengthened on Saturday morning. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Agatha’s circulation. Microwave satellite images provided indications that a small eye was forming at the center of circulation. A partial ring of thunderstorms wrapped around the northern side of the center. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Agatha. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Agatha.

Tropical Storm Agatha will move through an area favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Agatha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the western part of the axis of an upper level ridge over Central America and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.. Tropical Storm Agatha will continue to intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to a hurricane on Sunday. Agatha could undergo a period of rapid intensification once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall are fully formed.

Tropical Storm Agatha will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Central America and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Agatha toward the north during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Agatha will move closer to Mexico. Agatha could approach the coast of Mexico on Monday. Tropical Storm Agatha is likely to be a hurricane when it approaches Mexico. There is a chance Agatha could be a major hurricane when it nears the coast of Mexico.