Tropical Depression Thirteen-E Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Friday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen-E was located at latitude 11.2°N and longitude 128.4°W which put the center about 1460 miles (2350 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  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 1006 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California strengthened on Saturday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Thirteen-E.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen-E on Friday afternoon.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the tropical depression.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the western 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 the depression’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression Thirteen-E could intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E will move south of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Thirteen-E will move farther away from Baja California.

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