Tropical Storm Orlene formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Thursday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Orlene was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 104.9°W which put it about 295 miles (445 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico. Orlene was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system south of Mexico strengthened on Thursday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Orlene. The circulation around Tropical Storm Orlene was organizing quickly. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Orlene’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center. 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 Orlene.

Tropical Storm Orlene will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Orlene will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. Orlene will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over Mexico. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Orlene’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Orlene is likely to intensify during the next 36 hours. Orlene could strengthen to a hurricane by Friday night.

Tropical Storm Orlene will move around the western end of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Orlene toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Orlene will move southwest of Mexico. Orlene will move toward the north when it reaches the western end of the ridge. Tropical Storm Orlene could approach the west coast of Mexico in a few days.