Former Tropical Storm Fausto strengthened to a hurricane on Monday evening as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Fausto was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 117.3°W which put the center about 745 miles (1200 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Fausto was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 988 mb.
Former Tropical Storm Fausto strengthened to a hurricane on Monday evening. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Fausto’s circulation. A small eye appeared to be forming at the center of Hurricane Fausto. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Fausto’s circulation. Storms near the center of Fausto generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Hurricane Fausto. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Fausto’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) in the southern half of Hurricane Fausto. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northern half of Fausto’s circulation.
Hurricane Fausto will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fausto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Fausto will intensify during the next 24 hours. Fausto could strengthen to a major hurricane on Wednesday.
Hurricane Fausto will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fausto toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Fausto will continue to move farther away from Mexico.