Tropical Storm Pilar sped westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 10.1°N and longitude 104.0°W which put it about 560 miles (905 km) south-southwest of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Pilar was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Pilar weakened on Friday as it sped westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Thunderstorms were occurring in a couple of bands west and south of the center of Pilar’s circulation. Bands in the eastern and northern parts of Tropical Storm Pilar consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Pilar’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be unfavorable 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 the southern part of a narrow, west to east upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pilar’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate vertical wind shear could cause Tropical Storm Pilar to weaken a little more on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Pilar toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pilar will continue to move farther away from Mexico on Saturday.