Tropical Storm Cristina formed south of Acapulco on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Cristina was located at latitude 11.2°N and longitude 101.3°W which put it about 405 miles (650 km) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.  Cristina was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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.

A distinct low pressure center organized quickly in a tropical wave south of Mexico on Monday.  Satellite images showed a well developed counterclockwise rotation around the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Cristina.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of circulation.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away in all directions from the tropical storm,  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Cristina.

Tropical Storms Cristina will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Cristina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29.5°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Cristina will continue to strengthen and it could intensify rapidly.  Cristina will intensify into a hurricane within 36 hours and it could strengthen into a major hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Cristina will move around the southwestern part of a ridge of high pressure over Mexico and the southwestern U.S.  The ridge will steer Cristina toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Cristina will move away from the west coast of Mexico.