Tag Archives: Baja California

Frank Weakens to a Tropical Storm West of Baja California

Former Hurricane Frank weakened to a tropical storm over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on Monday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Frank was located at latitude 21.7°N and longitude 121.5°W which put it about 745 miles (1200 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California. Frank was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Former Hurricane Frank weakened to a tropical storm on Monday morning as it moved over cooler water in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California. Tropical Storm Frank was moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 22˚C. Frank was unable to extract enough energy from the cooler water to maintain its intensity and the circulation weakened. The air over the cooler water was more stable and clouds were unable to rise as high into the atmosphere. The bands of thunderstorms weakened. Some drier, more stable air wrapped around the southern side of Frank’s circulation and the bands in that part of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Tropical Storm Frank was still producing a large area of tropical storm force winds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Frank.

Tropical Storm Frank will move through an environment unfavorable for a tropical cyclone during the next few days. Frank will move over water that is even colder than the water it is currently over. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Frank will weaken gradually during the next few days.

Tropical Storm Frank will move around the western part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Frank toward the northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Frank will remain far to the west of Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Georgette stalled west-southwest of Tropical Storm Frank. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Georgette was located at latitude 12.8°N and longitude 130.2°W which put it about 1505 miles (2420 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Georgette was moving toward the west at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Hurricane Frank Spins Southwest of Baja California

Hurricane Frank continued to spin over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Frank was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 117.7°W which put it about 605 miles (975 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Frank was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

Hurricane Frank appeared to have concentric eyewalls for a time on Saturday afternoon. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the original eye and eyewall. Microwave satellite images depicted a larger outer eyewall surrounding the original eye and eyewall. The inner eyewall weakened somewhat by Saturday night, but it still was present inside the larger outer eyewall. Storms near the core of Frank’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The formation of concentric eyewalls caused the size of the circulation around Hurricane Frank to increase. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Frank. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Frank will move through an environment that is somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Frank will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Frank could intensify during the next 24 hours if it completes an eyewall replacement cycle. Frank is likely to weaken early next week when it moves over cooler water.

Hurricane Frank will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Frank toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Frank will move parallel to the coast of Baja California, but Frank will remain far to the west of the coast.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Georgette was located west-southwest of Hurricane Frank. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Georgette was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 128.5°W which put it about 1385 miles (2225 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Georgette was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Frank Strengthens to a Hurricane Southwest of Baja California

Former Tropical Storm Frank strengthened to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Frank was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 114.8°W which put it about 625 miles (1010 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Frank was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 983 mb.

Hurricane Frank exhibited better organization on infrared and microwave satellite imagery on Friday night. A circular eye appeared at the center of Frank’s circulation on satellite images. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eye and a broken ring of thunderstorms encircled the eye. The strongest winds were occurring in the broken ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Frank. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Frank’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Frank will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Frank will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Frank will intensify during the next 24 hours. There is a chance Frank could rapidly intensify to a major hurricane on Saturday.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Georgette was spinning about 700 miles (1130 km) to the west of Hurricane Frank. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Georgette was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 125.1°W which put it about 1150 miles (1850 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Georgette was moving toward the west-southwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Georgette Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Georgette formed southwest over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Georgette was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 115.9°W which put it about 590 miles (950 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Georgette was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

The circulation around a small low pressure system southwest of Baja California strengthened on Wednesday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Georgette. The circulation around Tropical Storm Georgette was very small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Georgette’s circulation. The winds in the other parts of Georgette were blowing at less than tropical storm force. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tropical Storm Georgette on Wednesday afternoon. Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western side of Georgette. Bands in the eastern side of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Georgette will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Georgette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. Georgette will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Georgette’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Georgette could strengthen during the next 24 hours, if the vertical wind shear does not increase. The larger circulation around Tropical Storm Frank, which is located east-southeast of Georgette could begin to affect the intensity of Tropical Storm Georgette in a day or so.

Tropical Storm Georgette will move south of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Georgette toward the west during the next 24 hours. If Tropical Storm Frank moves closer to Georgette, then the larger circulation around Frank could start to pull Georgette toward the southwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Georgette will move farther away from Baja California during the next 24 hours.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Fanrk slowly strengthened on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Frank was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 106.8°W which put it about 745 miles (1200 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. Frank was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Frank Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Frank formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Frank was located at latitude 11.6°N and longitude 102.4°W which put it about 525 miles (845 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Frank was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Tuesday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Frank. The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Frank was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western half of Frank’s circulation. Bands in the eastern half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level ridge over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific was producing easterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Frank’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were the main reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Frank. The winds in the southern half of Frank were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Frank will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Frank will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. However, the upper level ridge will continue to produce easterly winds that will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Frank could strengthen gradually during the next 36 hours, if the vertical wind shear does not increase.

Tropical Storm Frank will move south of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Frank toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Frank will move farther away from the west coast of Mexico. Frank will pass south of Baja California later this week.

Estelle Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Estelle weakened to a tropical storm over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Tuesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Estelle was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 115.5°W which put it about 450 miles (725 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Estelle was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

Drier air in the western half of former Hurricane Estelle reached the center of circulation on Tuesday morning and Estelle weakened to a tropical storm. The strongest winds in Tropical Storm Estelle were occurring in bands of thunderstorms in the eastern side of the circulation. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. More thunderstorms developed again east of the center of Estelle later on Tuesday morning. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Estelle’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Estelle will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Estelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, the drier air in the western half of Tropical Storm Estelle is likely to continue to inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in that part of the circulation. Estelle could intensify during the next 24 hours, if thunderstorms continue to develop near the center of circulation. However, the drier air is likely to limit any intensification. Tropical Storm Estelle will move over cooler water during the next several days, which is likely to cause it to weaken.

Tropical Storm Estelle will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Estelle toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Estelle will move farther to the southwest of Baja California.

Hurricane Estelle Passes South of Baja California

Hurricane Estelle passed south of the southern tip of Baja California on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Estelle was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 112.5°W which put it about 365 miles (590 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Estelle was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 986 mb.

Hurricane Estelle appeared to pull drier air into the western side of its circulation on Monday. Bands in the western half of Estelle consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Hurricane Estelle. The strongest winds were also occurring in the eastern part of Estelle. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the eastern half of Estelle’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation. Storms near the center were still generating upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Hurricane Estelle will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Estelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, the drier air in the western half of Hurricane Estelle will continue to inhibit the formation of thunderstorms in that part of the circulation. Estelle could intensify during the next 24 hours, but the drier air is likely to limit any intensification. Hurricane Estelle will start to move over cooler water later on Tuesday.

Hurricane Estelle will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Estelle toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Estelle will remain well to the south of Baja California.

Estelle Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Estelle rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Manzanillo, Mexico on Saturday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Estelle was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 105.0°W which put it about 300 miles (485 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico. Estelle was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 988 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Estelle rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Saturday. A circular eye was developing at the center of Hurricane Estelle’s circulation. The developing eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Estelle. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Estelle. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Estelle will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Estelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge near the west coast of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Estelle will intensify during the next 36 hours. Estelle could continue to intensify rapidly and it could strengthen to a major hurricane.

Hurricane Estelle will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Estelle toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Estelle could be south of Baja California on Monday.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Darby weakened south of Hawaii. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Darby was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 157.5°W which put it about 250 miles (400 km) south of Honolulu, Hawaii. Darby was moving toward the west at 22 m.p.h. (32 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

Major Hurricane Darby Churns Toward the Central Pacific

Major Hurricane Darby churned toward the Central Pacific Ocean on Tuesday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Darby was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 129.7°W which put it about 1410 miles (2270 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Darby was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

Hurricane Darby had a small, but very symmetrical, circulation on Tuesday. A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Hurricane Darby. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the small core of Hurricane Darby. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Darby’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.

Darby continued to exhibit the appearance of a small, annular hurricane. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Darby was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 5.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 28.8.

Hurricane Darby will move into an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Darby will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Darby will move over cooler water during the next several days as it moves toward the west. Darby is likely to weaken gradually as it moves over the cooler water.

Hurricane Darby will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Darby toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Darby will cross into the Central Pacific Ocean on Wednesday night.

Darby Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Darby rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Darby was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 123.4°W which put it about 1050 miles (1690 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Darby was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

Hurricane Darby continued to intensify rapidly on Monday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Hurricane Darby. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the small core of Hurricane Darby. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Darby’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

The circulation around Hurricane Darby was small but very symmetrical. Darby looked like a small, annular hurricane. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Darby was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 5.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.0.

Hurricane Darby will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Darby will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Darby could continue to intensify during the 18 hours. The small size of the circulation around Hurricane Darby means that the intensity could continue to change rapidly if the environmental conditions change. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the small core of Darby’s circulation, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Hurricane Darby to weaken.

Hurricane Darby will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Darby toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Darby will move farther away from Baja California. Darby will cross into the Central Pacific Ocean later this week.