Tropical Storm Karl moved south toward Mexico on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Karl was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 93.5°W which put it about 195 miles (315 km) north-northeast of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. Karl was moving toward the south-southeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/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 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Alvarado to Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico.

Even though the surface pressure at the center of Tropical Storm Karl decreased by two millibars on Thursday, the maximum sustained wind speed also decreased. The circulation around Karl pulled some drier air into the western part of the tropical storm. In addition, an upper level trough over the eastern U.S. produced west-northwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Karl’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear. The drier air and the wind shear caused the strongest thunderstorms to occur in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Karl. Bands in the northern and western parts of Karl consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Karl’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Karl will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Karl will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. The upper level trough over the eastern U.S. will continue to produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Karl. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. Moderate vertical wind shear and drier air in the western side of Karl’s circulation will inhibit intensification. The intensity of Tropical Storm Karl could fluctuate during the next 24 hours, but Karl is likely to remain a tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Karl will move around the southern part of a surface high pressure system that extends from the north central U.S. over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will push Karl toward the south during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Karl will make landfall on the coast of Mexico between Coatzacoalcos and Paraiso on Friday night. Karl will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coastal parts of Tabasco and Veracruz when it makes landfall. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.