Tropical Storm Norma formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Norma was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 107.3°W which put it about 690 miles (1110 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norma was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California strengthened on Tuesday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Norma. The circulation around Tropical Storm Norma exhibited more organization on Tuesday afternoon. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Norma’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Norma. Winds in the southern side of Norma’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Norma will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Norma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Norma will intensify during the next 36 hours. Norma could strengthen to a hurricane within 36 hours. Tropical Storm Norma could start to intensify rapidly after an inner core with an eye and eyewall develop.

Tropical Storm Norma will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Norma toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. Tropical Storm Norma will move more toward the north later this week when it moves around the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Norma could approach the southern end of Baja California during the weekend. Norma is likely to be a hurricane when it approaches Baja California.