Tropical Storm Lester became the 12th named tropical storm to form over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean during 2016 on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Lester was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 113.4°W which put it about 470 miles (760 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Lester was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Lester formed when a distinct center of circulation developed within a tropical wave.  The core of the tropical storm is still consolidating.  There are thunderstorms near the center of circulation and there are spiral bands rotating around the core of Tropical Storm Lester.  The thunderstorms near the center are generating upper level divergence which is pumping away may to the south of the tropical storm.  There are hints of the possible formation of an eye on some satellite images.

Tropical Storm Lester is moving through an environment that is generally favorable for intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is around 30°C.  An upper level ridge northwest of Lester is generating northerly winds which are blowing across the top of the tropical storm.  The northerly winds are producing some vertical wind shear, but the shear is only slowing the intensification process.  Tropical Storm Lester is expected to continue to intensify and it could become a hurricane.

A subtropical ridge is steering Tropical Storm Lester toward the west-northwest and that general motion is expected to continue.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Lester will move farther away from Mexico and it currently poses no threat to land.