Tropical Storm Pilar edged closer to El Salvador on Monday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 90.9°W which put it about 200 miles (325 km) southwest of San Salvador, El Salvador. Pilar was moving toward the east-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the entire coast of El Salvador. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the Pacific coast of Honduras including the Gulf of Fonseca. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.

Tropical Storm Pilar intensified a little on Monday, but the circulation was still poorly organized. Thunderstorms weakened near the center of Pilar’s circulation. New thunderstorms were forming in bands in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Pilar. Bands in the other parts of Pilar consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Pilar.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be a little more favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under a small upper level ridge west of Nicaragua. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the upper level ridge. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Pilar is likely to intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move into a region where the steering currents are weak during the next 24 hours. Pilar is likely to continue to move slowly toward the east-northeast on Tuesday. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pilar will move closer to El Salvador. Pilar could approach El Salvador on Tuesday night. Tropical Storm Pilar is forecast to stall for 12 to 24 hours, when it gets near El Salvador. Pilar could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of El Salvador, western Honduras and northwestern Nicaragua. Prolonged, heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.