Tropical Storm Newton Forms Southwest of Mexico

Tropical Storm Newton formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Wednesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Newton was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 107.0°W which put it about 200 miles (325 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Newton was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

An area of low pressure over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico strengthened on Wednesday evening and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Newton. Thunderstorms were developing near the center of Tropical Storm Newton. Other thunderstorms formed in bands revolving around the center of Newton’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Newton. The winds in the southern side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Newton will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Newton will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Newton is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Newton will move over cooler water on Friday and it will start to weaken.

Tropical Storm Newton will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Newton toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Newton will pass south of Baja California on Friday.