Tropical Storm Fernanda formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Fernanda was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 114.0°W which put it about 610 miles (980 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Fernanda was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California strengthened on Saturday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Fernanda. The circulation around Tropical Storm Fernanda was organizing steadily. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern side of the center of Fernanda’s circulation. More thunderstorms also formed near the center of 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) from the center of Fernanda’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Fernanda will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fernanda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Fernanda will intensify during the next 24 hours. Fernanda could strengthen to a hurricane on Sunday.

Tropical Storm Fernanda will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fernanda toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fernanda will move farther away from Baja California.