Former Tropical Storm Beatriz rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Beatriz was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 102.3°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. Beatriz was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Zihuatenajo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Manzanillo. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, Mexico. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Tecpan de Galeana to Zihuatenajo and from Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Mita to San Blas, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for Las Islas Marias.

Former Tropical Storm Beatriz rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Friday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Beatriz’ circulation. Visible and microwave satellite images showed that an eye was forming at the center of Hurricane Beatriz. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Beatriz. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Beatriz was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Beatriz’ circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Beatriz will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Beatriz will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the southern U.S. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Hurricane Beatriz. However, the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Beatriz is likely to intensify during the next 12 hours. Beatriz will be near the coast of Mexico on Saturday. If the core of Hurricane Beatriz remains over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, then it will be in an environment favorable for intensification. If Beatriz moves over land on Saturday, it will weaken quickly.

The upper level ridge over Mexico and the southern U.S. will steer Hurricane Beatriz toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Beatriz will move very close to the coast of Mexico. The center of Beatriz could be near Manzanillo by Friday night. Beatriz could make landfall near Manzanillo or the center of circulation could pass just to the west of Manzanillo. Bands in the northern side of Hurricane Beatriz will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the west coast of Mexico. Beatriz will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Adrian intensified south-southwest of Baja California. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Adrian was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 112.2°W which put it about 415 miles (665 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Adrian was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.