Tropical Storm Dora formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 107.1°W which put it about 275 miles (445 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 Tropical Storm Dora was organizing quickly on Tuesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of Dora’s circulation. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Storm Dora. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the developing inner core of Dora. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Dora.

Tropical Storm Dora will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Dora will intensify during the next 36 hours. Dora could intensify rapidly at times, especially after the inner core with an eye and eyewall fully form. Tropical Storm Dora is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dora will move farther away from Mexico.