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Hurricane Dora Churns Toward the Central Pacific

Hurricane Dora churned toward the Central Pacific Ocean on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Dora was located at latitude 13.7°N and longitude 130.1°W which put it about 1735 miles (2790 km) east of the South Point, Hawaii. Dora was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

Hurricane Dora weakened gradually on Friday as it moved over slightly cooler water. An eye was no longer visible on satellite images at the center of Dora’s circulation. The inner end of a rainband wrapped all the way into the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Dora. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Dora was still very small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Dora’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was only 5.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 23.2.

Hurricane Dora will move through an environment that will continue to become less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26.5C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Dora is likely to continue to weaken gradually during the next 24 hours. Since the circulation around Hurricane Dora is so small, any changes in the environment will have large effects on the intensity of Dora.

Hurricane Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Dora will move over the Central Pacific Ocean during the weekend. Dora could pass south of Hawaii early next week.

Hurricane Dora Strengthens to Cat. 4

Hurricane Dora strengthened to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Dora was located at latitude 14.1°N and longitude 123.4°W which put it about 2160 miles (3480 km) east of the South Point, Hawaii. Dora was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (30 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (280 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Hurricane Dora intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday. A small circular eye was at the center of Dora’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Dora. Storms Near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Dora remained very small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Dora’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 28.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was only 5.7 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.0. Hurricane Dora was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Charley when Charley hit Southwest Florida in 2004.

Hurricane Dora will move through an environment that will become slightly less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dora 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 Dora could start to weaken as it moves over slightly cooler water. Dora could also start to weaken if the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall. Since the circulation around Hurricane Dora is so small, any changes in the environment will have large effects on the intensity of Dora.

Hurricane Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Dora could pass south of Hawaii early next week.

Dora Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Dora rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Dora was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 116.9°W which put it about 700 miles (1130 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Dora 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 there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 956 mb.

Hurricane Dora continued to intensify rapidly on Wednesday and Dora reached major hurricane intensity on Wednesday evening. A small eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Dora’s circulation. 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 core of Hurricane Dora. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions.

The circulation around Hurricane Dora was very small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Dora’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was only 5.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.2. Most of Hurricane Dora’s circulation would fit inside the outer eyewall of Typhoon Khanun.

Hurricane Dora will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. It through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Dora is likely to continue to intensify during the next 24 hours. Dora could continue to intensify rapidly during the next 12 hours. Since the circulation around Hurricane Dora is so small, any changes in the environment will have large effects on the intensity of Hurricane Dora.

Hurricane Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Dora will move farther away from Mexico. Dora could be southeast of Hawaii by the early next week.

Dora Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Dora rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Dora was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 111.5°W which put it about 510 miles (825 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dora was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

A microwave satellite image showed that the inner end of a rainband had wrapped around the center of Hurricane Dora on Tuesday evening. A very small eye was at the center of Dora on the microwave image. The eye was surrounded by a tight ring of 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 Dora. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Dora was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Dora’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Dora will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Dora will intensify during the next 36 hours. Since the circulation around Dora is so small, any changes in the environment will have large effects on the rate of intensification. Dora could continue to intensify rapidly as long as it remains in a favorable environment. Hurricane Dora is could strengthen to a major hurricane by Thursday.

Hurricane Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west-southwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Dora will move farther away from Mexico. Dora could move over the Central Pacific Ocean by the end of the upcoming weekend.

Tropical Storm Dora Forms Southwest of Mexico

Tropical Storm Dora formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 107.1°W which put it about 275 miles (445 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1006 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Dora was organizing quickly on Tuesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of Dora’s circulation. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Storm Dora. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the developing inner core of Dora. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Dora.

Tropical Storm Dora will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Dora will intensify during the next 36 hours. Dora could intensify rapidly at times, especially after the inner core with an eye and eyewall fully form. Tropical Storm Dora is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dora will move farther away from Mexico.

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.

Tropical Storm Estelle Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Estelle formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Estelle was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 102.0°W which put it about 290 miles (470 km) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Estelle was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1006 mb.

An area of low pressure over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Friday night and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Estelle. The circulation around Estelle exhibited more organization. More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tropical Storm Estelle. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Estelle’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Estelle. The wind in the other parts of Estelle’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm 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 28˚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. Tropical Storm Estelle will intensify during the next 36 hours and it could strengthen to a hurricane.

Tropical Storm 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 Tropical Storm Estelle will move away from the west coast of Mexico.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Darby weakened east-southeast of Hawaii. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Darby was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 149.4°W which put it about 400 miles (640 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Darby was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 1006 mb.

Hurricane Darby Moves over the Central Pacific

Hurricane Darby moved over the Central Pacific Ocean on Thursday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Darby was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 140.9°W which put it about 955 miles (1540 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Darby was moving toward the west-northwest 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 977 mb.

Hurricane Darby moved west of longitude 140°W west on Thursday morning which meant that it crossed from the Eastern North Pacific basin to the Central Pacific. A small eye persisted at the center of Darby’s circulation. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The circulation around Hurricane Darby was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Darby. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.

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 26˚C. An upper level trough located to the northwest of Hurricane Darby will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Darby’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. More wind shear will cause Hurricane Darby to weaken. Since the circulation around Hurricane Darby is so small, the vertical wind shear could cause Darby to weaken quickly.

Hurricane Darby will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Darby toward the west during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Darby could be southeast of Hawaii by Saturday. Darby is forecast to be much weaker by that time.

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.