A potential risk posed by Tropical Storm Kay prompted the government of Mexico to issue a Tropical Storm Watch for the coast of southern Baja California on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Kay was located at latitude 15.8°N and longitude 106.4°W which put it about 260 miles (420 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Kay was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

The government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the portion of the coast from Loreto to Puerto San Andresito.

Tropical Storm Kay strengthened on Monday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of Kay’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the developing core of Tropical Storm Kay. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (320 km) in the northern side of Kay. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the southern half of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Kay will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Kay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Kay will intensify during the next 36 hours. Kay could strengthen to a hurricane within 24 hours. It could intensify more rapidly after an eye and an eyewall form.

Tropical Storm Kay will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Kay toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kay will move parallel to the west coast of Mexico. Kay could approach Baja California on Wednesday.