Tag Archives: Mexico

Tropical Storm Gamma Brings Wind and Rain to Yucatan

Tropical Storm Gamma brought wind and rain to the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gamma was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 87.6°W which put it about 15 miles (25 km) north-northwest of Tulum, Mexico.  Gamma was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 70 m.p.h. (110 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Allen to Cancun, Mexico including Cozumel.  Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta Herrero to Punta Allen and from Cancun to Dzilam, Mexico.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta Herrero to Puerto Costa Maya and from Dzilam to Progreso, Mexico.

The center of Tropical Storm Gamma made landfall on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula near Tulum around midday on Saturday.  Gamma strengthened quickly over the warm water in the Northwest Caribbean Sea in the hours prior to landfall.  An eye was beginning to form at the center of Tropical Storm Gamma at the time of landfall.  A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the developing eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Gamma.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Gamma will weaken while the center of circulation moves over land.  When Gamma emerges over the southern Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, it will move into an environment favorable for intensification.  Gamma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will be under the western side of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Gamma.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but they are not likely to be strong enough to keep Gamma from strengthening when it gets back over water.

Tropical Storm Gamma will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer Gamma toward the north-northwest during next 24 hours.  A large, cool high pressure system over the eastern U.S. will block the northward movement of Tropical Storm Gamma when it reaches the southern Gulf of Mexico.  That high pressure system will steer Gamma slowly toward the west during the earl part of next week.

On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Gamma will move across northern Quintana Roo and the state of Yucatan.  Gamma will cause gusty winds along the eastern and northern coasts of the Yucatan Peninsula.  Tropical Storm Gamma will drop heavy rain over parts of Quintana Roo and Yucatan.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

TD 25 Strengthens into Tropical Storm Gamma

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters’ reconnaissance plane found Friday evening that former Tropical Depression 25 had strengthened into Tropical Storm Gamma.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Gamma was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 85.8°W which put it about 135 miles (220 km) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.  Gamma was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Herrero to Cabo Catoche, Mexico.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta Herrero tp Puerto Costa Maya and from Cabo Catoche to Dzilam, Mexico.

A reconnaissance airplane found winds to tropical storm force and a lower minimum surface pressure when it started sampling former Tropical Depression Twentyfive.  The National Hurricane  Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Gamma based on data from the plane. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the eastern and southern parts of the center of circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Gamma.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease.

Tropical Storm Gamma will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Gamma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Gamma will strengthen during the next 18 hours and it could strengthen to a hurricane.

Tropical Storm Gamma will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer the depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Gamma could approach the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday.  Gamma will bring gusty winds and heavy rain to the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula.  Gusty winds and heavy rain could occur in the area around Cancun and Cozumel.  Locally heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Depression 25 Forms over Northwest Caribbean

Tropical Depression Twentyfive formed over the Northwest Caribbean Sea on Friday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Twentyfive was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 84.7°W which put it about 220 miles (355 km) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.  The depression was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Punta Herrero to Cabo Catoche, Mexico.  Tropical Storm Watches were issued for the portions of the coast from Punta Herrero tp Puerto Costa Maya and from Cabo Catoche to Dzilam, Mexico.

A distinct center of circulation was evident in satellite imagery within a broader area of low pressure over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea on Friday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Twentyfive.  The government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Warning and Tropical Storm Watches for parts of the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Depression Twentyfive.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of the depression.  Storms near the center of circulation started to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the depression.

Tropical Depression Twentyfive will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  It will move under an upper level ridge over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Depression Twentyfive is very likely to strengthen into a tropical storm during the next 12 to 24 hours.  It could strengthen to a hurricane within 36 hours.

Tropical Depression Twentyfive will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean.  The high will steer the depression toward the northwest during the next 24 to 36 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Twentyfive could approach the Yucatan Coast on Saturday.  It will likely be a tropical storm when it approaches the coast, but it could strengthen into a hurricane by that time.  A reconnaissance plane was on its way to investigate the depression and that will provide more information about its structure and intensity.

Marie Strengthens into a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Marie strengthened into a major hurricane on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 122.1°W which put it about 940 miles (1515 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 957 mb.

The circulation around Hurricane Marie was very well organized on Thursday night.  There was a small circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) at the center of Marie.  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 Marie.  Storms near the core were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Marie.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center.

Hurricane Marie will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Marie will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Marie is likely to strengthen on Friday.  If a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could begin which would cause Marie to weaken.  Hurricane Marie will move over cooler water during the weekend.  Marie will extract less energy from the ocean which will cause the wind speed to decrease.

Hurricane Marie will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the southwestern U.S. and Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Marie toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Marie will move farther away from Baja California.

Marie Rapidly Strengthens Into a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Marie rapidly strengthened into a hurricane on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Marie was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 115.1°W which put it about 685 miles (1100 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie 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 988 mb.

The circulation around Hurricane Marie exhibited much greater organization on Wednesday afternoon.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped entirely around the center of Marie.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Marie.  Storms near the core generated upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the hurricane.  The circulation around Marie was small.  Winds to hurricane force only extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 60 miles from the center.

Hurricane Marie will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Marie will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level wind are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Marie will continue to strengthen and it could intensify rapidly at time.  Marie could intensify into a major hurricane within 36 hours.

Hurricane Marie will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the southwestern U.S.  The high will steer Marie toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Marie will move farther away Baja California.

Tropical Storm Marie Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Marie formed south of Baja California on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Marie was located at latitude 13.6°N and longitude 109.5°W which put it about 645 miles (1035 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Marie 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 there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a small low pressure system south of Baja California on Tuesday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Marie.  The circulation around Marie was still organizing.  More thunderstorms were forming around the center of Tropical Storm Marie.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were also developing and the bands were revolving around the center of the tropical storm.  Storms near the center of Marie started to generate upper level divergence which began to pump mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The circulation around the Tropical Storm Marie was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Marie will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next two to three days.  Marie will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Marie could intensify into a hurricane within 36 hours.  Marie could strengthen more rapidly once an inner core with an eye and an eyewall forms.  Tropical Storm Marie could intensify into a major hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Marie will move south of a ridge of high pressure over the southwestern U.S.  The high will steer Marie toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Marie will move farther away from Baja California.

Tropical Storm Lowell Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Lowell formed south of Baja California on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Lowell was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 113.6°W which put it about 450 miles (725 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Lowell was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1001 mb.

A scatterometer onboard a satellite detected winds to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) on the southeast side of former Tropical Depression Seventeen-E on Monday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Lowell.  The circulation around Lowell was not well organized.  The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southwestern quadrant of the tropical storm.  Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Lowell consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) on the southern side of Lowell.  Winds on the northern side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

An upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean was producing northeasterly winds which were blowing toward the top of Tropical Storm Lowell.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear and they were responsible for the stronger thunderstorms being in the southwestern quadrant of Lowell.  The moderate upper level winds also appeared to be tilting the top part of Tropical Storm Lowell toward the southwest of the circulation at the surface.

Tropical Storm Lowell will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  So, there will be sufficient energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  If the upper level winds weaken, then Lowell could intensify during the next several days.  However, if the upper level winds remain at their current speed, then it will be difficult for the tropical storm to become more organized.  The wind shear is forecast to decrease slowly, which would allow Tropical Storm Lowell to strengthen gradually.

Tropical Storm Lowell will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high is forecast to steer Lowell toward the west during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Lowell will move farther away from Baja California.

TD 22 Strengthens to Tropical Storm Beta

Former Tropical Depression Twentytwo strengthened into Tropical Storm Beta over the western Gulf of Mexico on Friday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropcial Storm Beta was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 93.1°W which put it about 280 miles (450 km) east-southeast of the Mouth of the Rio Grande River.  Beta was moving toward the north-northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

Even though Tropical Storm Beta strengthened on Friday, the circulation was asymmetrical.  An upper level trough over Texas was producing south-southwesterly winds which were blowing toward the top of Beta.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  Because of the wind shear, the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Beta.  Bands in the southern half of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) on the northern side of Beta.  Winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Beta will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Beta will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  The upper level trough over Texas will weaken and gradually move away from Tropical Storm Beta.  When the trough moves away from Beta, the wind shear will decrease and Beta will be able to intensify more easily.  There is a chance Tropical Storm Beta could intensify into a hurricane in two or three days.

The steering pattern around Tropical Storm Beta will be complex.  The upper level trough over Texas is likely to steer Beta toward the north during the next 12 to 24 hours.  Then a large cool high pressure system over the eastern U.S.  will block Tropical Storm Beta from moving any farther to the north.  The high will steer Beta to the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Beta could approach the coast of Texas by the end of the weekend.  Beta could move more toward the northeast when the high pressure system starts to shift toward the east early next week.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Teddy continued to move toward Bermuda, Subtropical Storm Alpha made landfall in Portugal and Tropical Storm Wilfred developed over the eastern Atlantic Ocean.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Teddy was located at latitude 23.1°N and longitude 57.0°W which put it about 795 miles (1275 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Teddy was moving toward the northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 951 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued for Bermuda.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Subtropical Storm Alpha was located at latitude 40.8°N and longitude 8.4°W which put it about 120 miles (195 km) north-northeast of Lisbon, Portugal.  Alpha was moving toward the northeast at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 998 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Wilfred was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 34.4°W which put it about 735 miles (1185 km) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.  Wilfred 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 1008 mb

TD 22 Forms over Western Gulf of Mexico, Teddy at Cat. 4

Tropical Depression Twentytwo formed over the western Gulf of Mexico on Thursday evening and Hurricane Teddy intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Depression Twentytwo was located at latitude 22.0°N and longitude 94.2°W which put it about 235 miles (380 km) east of Tampico, Mexico.  The depression was moving toward the northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane determined that a low level center of circulation was present in a low pressure system over the western Gulf of Mexico on Thursday evening and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Twentytwo.  The circulation around the depression was still organizing.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Twentytwo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  The depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level low near the Rio Grande Valley will produce southerly winds which will blow toward the top of the depression.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The shear will inhibit intensification, but the depression is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm.

Tropical Depression Twentytwo will be in an area where the steering currents are weak.  The upper low over the Rio Grande Valley could pull the depression toward the north, but the depression could meander over the western Gulf of Mexico for several days.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Teddy strengthened to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale southeast of Bermuda on Thursday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Teddy was located at latitude 20.9°N and longitude 54.7°W which put it about 1005 miles (1615 km) southeast of Bermuda.  Teddy was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 945 mb.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Teddy could be near Bermuda by Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Karina Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Karina formed southwest of Baja California on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Karina was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 114.7°W which put it about 480 miles (775 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Karina was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1001 mb.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system southwest of Baja California on Sunday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Karina.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Karina was asymmetrical.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southwestern part of Karina’s circulation.  Bands in other parts of the tropical storm consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence which pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles in the southwestern quadrant of Tropical Storm Karina.  Winds in other parts of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Karina will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Karina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move south of an upper level ridge that extends from the southwestern U.S. over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will produce northeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Karina.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The shear will inhibit intensification, but it will not be strong enough to prevent Karina from intensifying.

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