Depression Prompts Tropical Storm Watch for Mexico

The formation of Tropical Depression Ten-E over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Watch for a portion of the coast of Mexico.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Ten-E was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 98.7°W which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) south of Punta Maldonado, Mexico.  The tropical depression was stationary.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Salina Cruz, Mexico.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean strengthened on Sunday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Ten-E.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Depression Ten-E.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms began to revolve around the center of the tropical depression.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Ten-E will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will be over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will be in a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression Ten-E is likely to strengthen to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Ten-E will be in an area where the steering winds are weak during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression is likely to move very slowly toward the north on Monday.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Ten-E will move a little closer to Mexico.