Tag Archives: Baja California

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.

Hurricane Darby Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 2

Hurricane Darby rapidly intensified to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii on Sunday night. At 6:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Darby was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 122.2°W which put it about 995 miles (1595 km) 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 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 975 mb.

Hurricane Darby rapidly intensified on Sunday night. A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was evident on infrared and microwave satellite images. 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 Darby’s circulation. Storms near the core generated 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 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 4.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 22.3.

Hurricane Darby will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 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 is likely to continue to intensify during the 24 hours. Darby could strengthen to a major hurricane. 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 fluctuations in intensity.

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 could cross into the Central Pacific Ocean later this week.

Darby Strengthens to a Hurricane Southwest of Baja California

Former Tropical Storm Darby strengthened to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Sunday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Darby was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 120.6°W which put it about 905 miles (1455 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Darby was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Darby strengthened to a hurricane on Sunday. A very small circular eye appeared intermittently on satellite images 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 Darby’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Hurricane Darby. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Darby.

Hurricane Darby will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 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 is likely to continue to intensify during the 36 hours. The small size of the circulation around Hurricane Darby means that it could change intensity 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 fluctuations in intensity.

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 move farther away from Baja California. Darby could cross into the Central Pacific Ocean later this week.

Tropical Storm Darby Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Darby formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Saturday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Darby was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 114.9°W which put it about 680 miles (1090 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Darby was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1004 mb.

A well defined low pressure system formed in a tropical wave located south of Baja California on Saturday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Darby. A small, well defined center of circulation was evident on visible and infrared satellite images. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Darby. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Darby will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 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. Tropical Storm Darby will intensify during the 48 hours and it could strengthen to a hurricane.

Tropical Storm 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 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Darby will move farther away from Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, the National Hurricane Center designated former Tropical Storm Bonnie as a Post Tropical Cyclone. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of former Tropical Storm Bonnie was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 129.4°W which put it about 1275 miles (2055 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California. Bonnie was moving toward the west at 21 m.p.h. (33 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 1009 mb.

Bonnie Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Bonnie weakened to a tropical storm as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Bonnie was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 121.8°W which put it about 825 miles (1325 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Bonnie was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (30 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. (1305 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

The circulation around former Hurricane Bonnie spun down gradually as it moved over cooler water in the Eastern North Pacific southwest of Baja California. The low level circulation around Tropical Storm Bonnie was still well organized. However, thunderstorms in bands revolving around the center of Bonnie weakened. Many of the bands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The remaining thunderstorms did not extend as high into the atmosphere and they did not generate much upper level divergence. The inflow of mass at the lower levels caused the surface pressure to increase, because there was not enough upper level divergence to remove the incoming mass. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Bonnie.

Tropical Storm Bonnie will move south of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Bonnie toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Bonnie will move farther away from Baja California during the next several days.

Tropical Storm Bonnie will continue to weaken gradually during the next few days. Bonnie will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24˚C. Tropical Storm Bonnie will not be able to extract enough energy from the upper ocean to maintain its circulation. So, the circulation will continue to spin down gradually during the next few days.