Tropical Depression Twenty-E strengthened into Tropical Storm Raymond on Friday morning.  At 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Raymond was located at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 108.8°W which put it about 610 miles (985 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Raymond was moving toward the north-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Raymond exhibited greater organization on Friday morning.  More thunderstorms developed close to the center of circulation.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  The distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical.  More of the stronger thunderstorms were forming in bands in the eastern half of the circulation.  There were fewer thunderstorms in the bands around the western side of Raymond.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the eastern half of the tropical storm.  Wind speeds on the western side of the circulation were mostly less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Raymond will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Raymond will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  it will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Raymond is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen into a hurricane.

Tropical Storm Raymond will move around the western side of a ridge of high pressure over Mexico.  The ridge will steer Raymond toward the north during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Raymond will move slowly toward the southern tip of Baja California.