Tropical Storm Gilma strengthened as it churned westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Monday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Gilma was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 116.9°W which put the center about 705 miles (1135 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Gilma was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

Tropical Storm Gilma strengthened on Monday as it churned westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California.  Even though Tropical Storm Gilma strengthened, the distribution of thunderstorms around Gilma’s circulation remained asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Gilma’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Gilma consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Gilma generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Storm Gilma increased a little on Monday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Gilma’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Gilma will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gilma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern north Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gilma’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Gilma is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

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