Former Tropical Storm Erick intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Wednesday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Erick was located at latitude 13.5°N and longitude 95.7°W which put the center about 275 miles (440 km) southeast of Punta Maldonado, Mexico.   Erick was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).   The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).   The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Angel to Acapulco, Mexico.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico.  A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Angel to Bahias de Huatulco, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Erick intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Wednesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped most of the way around the center of Erick’s circulation.  A small circular eye appeared to be forming at the center of Hurricane Erick.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Erick’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Erick generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease more quickly.

The distribution of wind speeds around Hurricane Erick became more symmetrical when it intensified.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Erick’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Erick.

Hurricane Erick will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Erick will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the adjacent part of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Erick will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Erick could rapidly intensify at times.  Hurricane Erick could strengthen to a major hurricane by Thursday.

Hurricane Erick will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Central America and southern Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Erick toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Erick will move toward the coast of southern Mexico.  Erick is likely to make landfall in southern Mexico between Acapulco and Punta Maldonado on Thursday.

Hurricane Erick could be a major hurricane when it makes landfall on the coast of Mexico.  Erick will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Michoacan.  The strongest winds and heaviest rains will occur in Guerrero.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Hurricane Storm Erick could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast.