Former Tropical Storm Gilma intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean between Baja California and Mexico on Wednesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Gilma was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 122.8°W which put the center about 965 miles (1555 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Gilma was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Gilma intensified to a hurricane between Baja California and Hawaii on Wednesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hurricane Gilma.  A circular eye was evident on microwave satellite images of Gilma.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Gilma.  Storms near the center of Gilma’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Gilma was more symmetrical on Wednesday morning.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Gilma’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Hurricane Gilma.

Hurricane 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 northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gilma’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Hurricane Gilma will continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Gilma could strengthen to a major hurricane later this week.

Hurricane 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, Hurricane Gilma will move farther away from Baja California.