Tropical Storm Erick formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Erick was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 126.8°W which put it about 1955 miles (3145 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Erick was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Erick.  The circulation around Erick was still organizing.  A small cluster of thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation and the strongest winds were occurring in that cluster.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing and the bands were beginning to revolve around the center of Tropical Storm Erick.  Storms near the center of circulation were starting to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Erick will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 to 72 hours.  Erick will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27.5°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Erick will strengthen and it could become a hurricane within 48 hours.  Erick could intensify more rapidly if an eye and eyewall form.

Tropical Storm Erick will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The subtropical high will steer Erick toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Erick could be southeast of Hawaii in four or five days.