Tropical Storm Madeline Spins West of Mexico

Tropical Storm Madeline continued to spin over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Mexico on Sunday evening. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Madeline was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 107.6°W which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. Madeline was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13km/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 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.

Satellite images of Tropical Storm Madeline on Sunday evening gave indications that Madelline might be getting more organized. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Madeline’s circulation. Other thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Madeline and on the far eastern side of the circulation. The new thunderstorms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) from the center of Madeline.

Tropical Storm Madeline will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Madeline will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge centered near the west coast of Mexico. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Madeline’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent it. Tropical Storm Madeline could intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Madeline will move around the western end of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Madeline toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Madeline could be south of Baja California on Monday evening.