Tag Archives: Baja California

Polo Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Polo rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Monday as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Polo was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 103.0°W which put the center about 270 miles (435 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Polo was moving toward the east at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan de Galeana to Punta San Telmo, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Polo rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Polo’s circulation.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) formed at the center of Hurricane Polo.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Polo’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Polo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Polo was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Polo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Polo.

Hurricane Polo will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Polo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Polo is likely to intensify rapidly to a major hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Polo could strengthen to a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale later this week.

Hurricane Polo will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Polo slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Polo will move a little closer to the coast of southwest Mexico.  A bigger and strong high pressure system is forecast to develop over Mexico on Tuesday.  The bigger and strong high pressure system will steer Hurricane Polo toward the northwest during the middle of this week.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Odalys continued to spin far to the southwest of Baja California.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Odalys was located at latitude 13.9°N and longitude 129.3°W which put the center about 1415 miles (2275 km) west-southwest of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Odalys was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Polo Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Polo formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Sunday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Polo was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 104.6°W which put the center about 270 miles (435 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Polo was moving toward the east-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Sunday evening and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Polo.

More thunderstorms were developing near the center of Tropical Storm Polo on Sunday evening.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Polo’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Tropical Storm Polo began to generate upper level divergence that started to pump mass away from the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Polo.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern half of Polo’s circulation.  The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Polo were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Polo will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Polo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Polo will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Polo could intensify rapidly after an inner core forms.

Tropical Storm Polo will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Polo slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Polo will move a little closer to the coast of southwest Mexico.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Odalys was gradually strengthening far to the southwest of Baja California.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Odalys was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 127.7°W which put the center about 1350 miles (2170 km) west-southwest of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Odalys was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Odalys Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Odalys formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Saturday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Odalys was located at latitude 11.4°N and longitude 124.5°W which put the center about 1245 miles (2005 km) southwest of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Odalys was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California strengthened on Saturday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Odalys.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Odalys on Saturday night.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands in the southern and western parts of Odalys’ circulation.  Bands in the northern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Odlays consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Odalys started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Tropical Storm Odalys.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 65 miles (105 km) in the northern side of Odalys’ circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Odalys were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Odalys will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Odalys will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level low that is southwest of Baja California.  The upper level low will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Odalys’ circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification but the wind shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Odalys is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Odalys could strengthen to a hurricane early next week.

Tropical Storm Odalys will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is west of Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Odalys toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Odalys will remain far to the southwest of Baja California.

Norbert Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Former Tropical Storm Norbert weakened to a tropical depression as it moved over the Central North Pacific Ocean on Monday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Norbert was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 140.5°W which put the center about 950 miles (1525 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Norbert was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1006 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Norbert weakened to a tropical depression on Monday evening.  Drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in Tropical Depression Norbert to weaken on Monday.  A few thunderstorms were still occurring in bands on the periphery of Norbert’s circulation.  Many of the bands revolving around the center of Tropical Depression Norbert consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Since there were few thunderstorms near the center of Norbert, there was very little upper level divergence.  Convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere caused the surface pressure to increase on Monday.

Tropical Depression Norbert will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Norbert will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  An upper level low that is northeast of Hawaii will continue to produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Norbert’s circulation.  Those winds will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Norbert will also continue to move through a mass of drier air that is east of Hawaii.  Tropical Depression Norbert is likely to continue to weaken on Tuesday because of the moderate vertical wind shear and the drier air.

Tropical Depression Norbert will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Norbert toward the west during the next 24 hours,  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Norbert will still be far to the east of Hawaii on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Fifteen-E continued to move farther away from Baja California.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 121.6°W which put the center about 880 miles (1415 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Norbert Still Moving West

Tropical Storm Norbert was still moving west toward the Central North Pacific Ocean on Sunday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Norbert was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 135.3°W which put the center about 1290 miles (2075 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Norbert was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Norbert did not change much on Sunday.  The distribution of thunderstorms in Norbert continued to be asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern side of Norbert’s circulation.  Bands in the western half of Tropical Storm Norbert consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Norbert still generated some upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure remained steady on Sunday.

The asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Norbert also affected the distribution of wind speeds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the northern half of Norbert’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 35 miles (55 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Norbert.

Tropical Storm Norbert will move through an environment that will be mostly unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Norbert will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  An upper level low that is northeast of Hawaii will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Norbert’s circulation.  Those winds will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Norbert will also continue to move through the mass of drier air that is east of Hawaii.  Tropical Storm Norbert is unlikely to intensify on Monday because of the moderate vertical wind shear and the drier air.

Tropical Storm Norbert will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Norbert toward the west during the next 24 hours,  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Norbert will still be far to the east of Hawaii on Monday.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Fifteen-E formed southwest of Baja California.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 118.3°W which put the center about 680 miles (1095 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Norbert Develops Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Norbert developed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Wednesday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Norbert was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 117.9°W which put the center about 685 miles (1105 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Norbert was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California strengthened on Wednesday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Norbert.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Norbert was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Norbert’s circulation.  Bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Norbert consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

An upper level low that was west of Baja California was producing westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Norbert.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

The strongest winds were blowing in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Norbert.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Norbert’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Norbert were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Norbert will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Norbert will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  However, the upper level low west of Baja California will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification.  Tropical Storm Norbert is likely to intensify slowly because of the moderate vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Norbert will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Norbert toward the west during the next 24 hours,  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Norbert will move farther away from Baja California.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Lowell continued to spin far to the northwest of Hawaii.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Lowell was located at latitude 29.2°N and longitude 166.2°W which put the center about 655 miles (1050 km) northwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 993 mb.

Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Kauai

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for Kauai County because of the potential effects of Hurricane Lowell.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 163.8°W which put the center about 580 miles (935 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the north-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 943 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

Hurricane Lowell weakened to Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Sunday morning.  Lowell was still a major hurricane.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was still at the center of Lowell’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 center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much on Sunday morning.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 19.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 43.9.  Hurricane Lowell is bigger and stronger than Hurricane Milton was when Milton hit Florida in 2024.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell 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 wind shear.  However, Lowell will  move into a mass of drier air that is southwest of Hawii.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to continue to weaken slowly because of the effects of the drier air.  Lowell will move southwest of an upper level low that is north of Hawaii on Monday.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  The increase in vertical wind shear will cause Lowell to weaken faster on Monday.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lowell will pass west of Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.

Bands in the eastern side of Lowell could bring strong winds and heavy rain to Kauai and Niihau on Monday night.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for Kauai and Niihau.

Bands in the eastern periphery of Hurricane Lowell could also drop heavy rain on Maui, Lanai, , Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Flood Watches are in effect for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, and Kahoolawe.

Elsewhere, thunderstorms were decreasing Tropical Storm Karina and Hurricane Marie was weakening west of Baja California.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Karina was located at latitude 22.7°N and longitude 145.0°W which put the center about 680 miles (1100 km) east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 992 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 23.5°N and longitude 122.5°W which put the center about 800 miles (1290 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

 

Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Kauai

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Kauai County because of the potential effects of Hurricane Lowell.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 13.7°N and longitude 163.4°W which put the center about 630 miles (1015 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 155 m.p.h. (250 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kauai County including Kauai and Niihau.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

Hurricane Lowell weakened to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was still at the center of Lowell’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 center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lowers levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased on Saturday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 43.9. Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane Harvey when Harvey hit Texas in 2017.  Hurricane Lowell is larger than Harvey was.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment that will be a little less favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell 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 wind shear.  However, Lowell will start to move into a mass of drier air on Sunday.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to continue to weaken slowly on Sunday because of the effects of the drier air.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the western end of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will start to move closer to Kauai and Niihau on Sunday.

Elsewhere, former Hurricane Karina weakened to a tropical storm east of Hawaii and Hurricane Marie started to weaken west of Baja California.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Karina was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 143.9°W which put the center about 740 miles (1190 km) east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 993 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 121.3°W which put the center about 725 miles (1170 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Hurricane Lowell Intensifies Back to Cat. 5

Hurricane Lowell intensified back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved south-southwest of Hawaii on Friday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 161.4°W which put the center about 615 miles (990 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

Hurricane Lowell strengthened back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday evening.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Lowell’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 center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated stronger upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of more mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere caused the surface pressure to decrease on Friday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Lowell was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 53.9.  Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane Maria when Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment favorable for a strong hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Lowell 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 wind shear.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to maintain its intensity during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will remain south-southwest of Hawaii on Saturday.  Lowell is forecast to start moving toward the north during the weekend.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Karina continued to weaken gradually east of Hawaii and Hurricane Marie was spinning southwest of Baja California.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Karina was located at latitude 20.7°N and longitude 141.9°W which put the center about 860 miles (1380 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 20.8°N and longitude 119.0°W which put the center about 600 miles (965 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Hurricane Lowell Strengthens Back to Cat. 4

Hurricane Lowell strengthened back to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved south-southwest of Hawaii on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Lowell was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 160.79°W which put the center about 615 miles (985 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Lowell was moving toward the west-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 926 mb.

Hurricane Lowell strengthened back to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday after weakening on Thursday night.  A circular eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) was at the center of Lowell’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 center of Hurricane Lowell.  Storms near the center generated stronger upper level divergence that pumped more mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of more mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere caused the surface pressure to decrease on Friday.

An eyewall replacement cycle cause the size of the circulation around Hurricane Lowell to increase.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Lowell’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Hurricane Lowell.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Lowell is 31.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 18.9 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 50.5. Hurricane Lowell is similar in intensity to Hurricane Ida when Ida hit southeast Louisiana in 2021.  Lowell is larger than Ida was.

Hurricane Lowell will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lowell 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 wind shear.  Hurricane Lowell is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.  Lowell could strengthen back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.

Hurricane Lowell will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lowell toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lowell will remain south-southwest of Hawaii on Saturday.  Lowell is forecast to start moving toward the north during the weekend.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Karina continued to weaken gradually  east of Hawaii and Hurricane Marie was spinning southwest of Baja California.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Karina was located at latitude 20.6°N and longitude 141.1°W which put the center about 910 miles (1465 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Karina was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 978 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 118.6°W which put the center about 590 miles (950 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.