Tag Archives: Jalisco

Mexico Issues Hurricane Warning for Enrique

The government of Mexico issued a Hurricane Warning for a portion of the west coast of Mexico on Sunday afternoon because of the potential effects of Hurricane Enrique. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Enrique was located at latitude 19.0°N and longitude 105.7°W which put it about 95 miles (155 km) south of Cabo Corrietnes, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Play Perula, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula and from Cabo Corrientes to Punta Mita, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Mita to San Blas, Mexico.

A small eye appeared intermittently at the center of Hurricane Enrique on visible satellite images on Sunday. High clouds from a ring of thunderstorms around the eye obscured the eye at other times. The strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms around the eye. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Enrique. 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) from the center of Hurricane Enrique. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 110 miles (175 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Enrique will move through an environment that will be mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. The circulation on the eastern side of Hurricane Enrique will draw in some drier air from over Mexico. The drier air could limit the formation of thunderstorms in the eastern half of Enrique. Hurricane Enrique could get a little stronger during the next 24 hours. However, if drier air makes it to the core of Enrique, it could weaken the hurricane.

Hurricane Enrique will move around the western side of a surface high pressure system during the next few hours. The high will steer Enrique toward the north during that time period. On its anticipated track the core of Enrique is forecast to pass just to the west of Cabo Corrientes during the first half of Monday. The core of Hurricane Enrique with the strongest winds is forecast to pass just west of the coast. However, the eastern side of Enrique will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to portions of Jalisco around Cabo Corrientes.

A second, smaller high pressure system is forecast to form northeast of Hurricane Enrique on Monday. The second high will steer Enrique toward the northwest on Monday. On its anticipated track Hurricane Enrique could approach the southern end of Baja California on Wednesday.

Enrique Strengthens to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Enrique strengthened to a hurricane south of Mexico on Saturday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Enrique was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 105.3°W which put it about 230 miles (370 km) south of Cabo Corrietnes, Mexico. Enrique was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Zihuatanejo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to San Blas, Mexico.

The circulation around Hurricane Enrique exhibited much more organization on Saturday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Enrique. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Enrique. 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) from the center of Enrique. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Enrique will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Enrique will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move southeast of an upper level ridge centered over the southwestern U.S. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical storm. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. A small upper level low south of Baja California will enhance upper level divergence to the northwest of Hurricane Enrique. Enrique will intensify continue to during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Enrique will move around the southwestern side of a surface high pressure system over Mexico. The high will steer Enrique toward the northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track the center of Hurricane Enrique is forecast to be southwest of Cabo Corrientes by Sunday evening. Bands on the eastern side of Enrique could bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the west coast of Mexico. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.

Tropical Storm Dolores Drops Heavy Rain over Western Mexico

Tropical Storm Dolores dropped heavy rain over western Mexico on Saturday. Dolores weakened to a tropical depression on Saturday evening when the center moved inland. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Depression Dolores was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 104.2°W which put it about 80 miles (130 km) northeast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Dolores was moving toward the north-northwest at 20 m.p.h. (32 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

Tropical Storm Dolores made landfall on the coast of Mexico southeast of Manzanillo on Saturday afternoon. The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) at the time of landfall. Dolores moved steadily toward the north-northwest after it made landfall. The lower part of the circulation around Tropical Storm Dolores weakened quickly when it moved inland over the mountains in west central Mexico. Even though it was weakening, rising motion in portions of the circulation around Dolores was enhanced in places where the air moved up the sides of mountains. Tropical Storm Dolores dropped heavy rain over parts of Michoacan, Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit.

Tropical Storm Dolores Strengthens Near Mexico

Tropical Storm Dolores strengthened near the west coast of Mexico on Saturday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Dolores was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 103.4°W which put it about 95 miles (155 km) southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dolores was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to Escuinapa, Mexico.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Dolores exhibited much more organization on Saturday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western, southern and eastern sides of the center of circulation. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Dolores. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The circulation around Tropical Storm Dolores was relatively small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the northern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the southern half of Dolores.

Tropical Storm Dolores will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Dolores will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak in that portion of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Dolores could strengthen to a hurricane before it makes landfall.

Tropical Storm Dolores will move around the western end of a small high pressure system over southern Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Dolores toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Dolores could make landfall on the coast of Mexico east of Manzanillo in a few hours. Dolores could be a hurricane when it makes landfall. Tropical Storm Dolores will bring gusty winds to the region near and to the east of Manzanillo. It could cause a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) in some locations on the coast. Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Dolores could drop heavy rain on parts of western Guerrero, Colima and Jalisco. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Dolores Forms South of Mexico, Warning Issued

Tropical Storm Dolores formed south of Mexico on Friday morning and the government of Mexico issued warnings and watches for portions of the coast. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Dolores was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 102.5°W which put it about 320 miles (515 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dolores was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1004 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Cabo Corrientes to Escuinapa, Mexico.

The circulation around a low pressure system south of Mexico strengthened on Friday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Dolores. Dolores exhibited increasing organization on conventional and microwave satellite imagery. Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Dolores.

Tropical Storm Dolores will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dolores will move over an area where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Dolores. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Dolores will intensify during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen to a hurricane on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Dolores will move around the western end of a small high pressure system over southern Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Dolores toward the north-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Dolores could approach the coast of Mexico between Manzanillo and Cabo Corrientes on Saturday. Dolores could be a hurricane when it approaches the coast. Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Dolores could drop heavy rain on parts of Colima and Jalisco. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Narda Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Narda formed south of Mexico late on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Narda was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 100.6°W which put it about 115 miles south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.  Narda was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (15 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.

An area of low pressure exhibited more organization late on Saturday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Narda.  A low level center of circulation formed within the area of low pressure.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms developed and began to revolve around the center of circulation.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were in bands in the western half of the circulation.  Bands in the eastern half of the circulation contained more showers and lower clouds.  An area of winds to tropical storm force was occurring about 120 miles (195 km) southeast of the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Narda will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification on Sunday.  Narda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  However, an upper level ridge over Mexico will produce northeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear which will inhibit intensification.  In addition, the circulation could draw drier air into the northern portion of the tropical storm.  Tropical Storm Narda is not likely to strengthen much during the next 12 to 24 hours.

The ridge over Mexico will steer Tropical Storm Narda toward the northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Narda will approach the coast of Mexico near Lazaro Cardenas in about 12 hours.  Narda will move along the coast toward Cabo Corrientes.  Tropical Storm Narda could drop locally heavy rain in parts of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima and Jalisco.  The rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Storm Xavier Causes Warning for Coast of Mexico

Potential impacts of Tropical Storm Xavier caused the government of Mexico to issue a Tropical Storm Warning for a portion of the coast.  The Tropical Storm Warning was in effect from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula, Mexico.  At 1:00 p.m. EST the center of Tropical Storm Xavier was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 105.4°W which put it about 110 miles (175 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Xavier was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

An upper level trough is producing strong southwesterly winds which are blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Xavier.  Those winds are causing significant vertical wind shear and they blew the upper portion of Xavier northeast of the lower level circulation earlier on Sunday morning.  However, new thunderstorms formed around the center of circulation and in a rainband northeast of the center.  There are several bands of showers and thunderstorms west of the center of circulation.  The bands southeast of the center consist primarily of low clouds and showers.  The strongest winds are occurring in the northeast portion of Tropical Storm Xavier.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds are blowing to tropical storm force near the coast of Mexico which is why the Tropical Storm Warning was issued.

The future intensity of Tropical Storm Xavier will be determined by the strength of the upper level winds.  Xavier will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  So, there is plenty of energy in the upper ocean to support a tropical storm.  However, the upper level winds were almost strong enough to shear Xavier apart on Sunday morning.  If the upper level winds do not get any stronger, then Xavier could persist as a tropical storm for another day or two.  If the upper level winds do get stronger, which is the forecast of many numerical models, then Xavier will quickly weaken to a tropical depression.  The official forecast from the National Hurricane Center follows the second scenario and it weakens Xavier to a tropical depression by Monday night.

The upper level trough will also determine future track of Tropical Storm Xavier.  If the upper level winds allow Xavier to persist as a tropical storm, then the trough will steer Xavier north-northeast toward the coast of Mexico.  If the upper level winds blow the top of the circulation away from the lower level circulation, then the winds closer to the surface would turn the lower part of Xavier back toward the west.  The official forecast from the National Hurricane Center follows the second scenario.

Bands of showers and thunderstorms in the northeaster part of Tropical Storm Xavier are already dropping rain over the coastal regions of Colima and Jalisco.  Prolonged heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.  Winds could reach tropical storm force along the coast even if the center of Tropical Storm Xavier does not make landfall.  There could also be a minor storm surge where the wind blows water toward the coast.

Tropical Storm Tina Forms West of Manzanillo

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system west of Mexico on Sunday and the National Hurricane Center classified the system as Tropical Storm Tina.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Tina was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 107.1°W which put it about 185 miles (300 km) west of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Tina was moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Tina is not well organized.  Although there is a definite center of circulation in the lower levels, most of the thunderstorms are developing north and east of the center of circulation.  An upper level trough southwest of California is generating southwesterly winds which are blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Tina.  The strong vertical wind shear is tilting the circulation and it is causing the thunderstorms to be concentrated in the northeastern quadrant of the circulation.  The upper level winds are also inhibiting upper level divergence.

Although Tropical Storm Tina is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C, the atmospheric environment is unfavorable for intensification.  The strong vertical wind shear will prevent any significant intensification.  In fact, if the upper level winds get much stronger, the shear could blow the top half of the circulation northeast of the bottom half.  In that case the low level circulation will quickly spin down and dissipate.

If the vertical integrity of the circulation is maintained, then the upper level trough will steer Tropical Storm Tina toward the northeast and into Mexico.  However, if the circulation shears apart, a surface high pressure system could steer it slowly toward the west.  In either case the upper level winds could transport some moist air over Jalisco and Colima, where it could enhance rainfall.