Tropical Storm Alvin Weakens South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Alvin weakened on Friday as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Alvin was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 109.0°W which put the center about 335 miles (540 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Alvin was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1001 mb.

An upper level low over Baja California produced southwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Tropical Storm Alvin on Friday.  Those winds caused the vertical wind shear to increase.  The increase in vertical wind shear caused Alvin to weaken.  The increase in wind shear also caused the distribution of thunderstorm around Tropical Storm Alvin to become asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern side of Alvin’s circulation.  Bands in the southern side of Tropical Storm Alvin consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Even though Tropical Storm Alvin weakened on Friday,  the size of the circulation did not change much.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Alvin’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Alvin will move through an environment that will become even more unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Alvin will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of the upper level low over Baja California.  The upper level low will continue to produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Alvin’s circulation.  Those winds will cause strong vertical wind shear on Saturday.  The combination of cool Sea Surface Temperatures and strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Alvin to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Alvin will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system over Mexico and the upper level low over Baja California will steer Alvin toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Alvin will closer to the southern end of Baja California.

Tropical Storm Alvin Intensifies Southwest of Mexico

Tropical Storm Alvin intensified over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Thursday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Alvin was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 107.9°W which put the center about 305 miles (495 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Alvin was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Alvin intensified over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Thursday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Alvin’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Alvin.  Storms near the center of Alvin generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The area of tropical storm force winds increased in size when Tropical Storm Alvin intensified on Thursday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Alvin’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Alvin will move into an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Alvin will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level low over Baja California.  The upper level low will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Alvin’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase on Friday.  The combination of cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and more vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Alvin to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Alvin will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system over Mexico and the upper level low over Baja California will steer Alvin toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Alvin will move parallel to the west coast of Mexico.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Alvin

Former Tropical Depression One-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Alvin over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Thursday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Alvin was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 106.3°W which put the center about 345 miles (555 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Alvin 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 there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Former Tropical Depression One-E strengthened on Thursday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Alvin.  Numerous thunderstorms formed near the center of Alvin’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Alvin.  Storms near the center of Alvin generated more 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 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Alvin.

Tropical Storm Alvin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Alvin will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Alvin’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Alvin will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Alvin will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Alvin toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Alvin will move parallel to the west coast of Mexico.

Tropical Depression One-E Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Depression One-E formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Wednesday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of the area of Tropical Depression One-E was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 109.7°W which put the center about 465 miles (745 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Tropical Depression One-E 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 1006 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Wednesday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression One-E.  A distinct low level center of circulation developed in the middle of a larger low pressure system south of Mexico.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation.  Bands of thunderstorms also developed.  Those bands of storms began to revolve around the center of Tropical Depression One-E.  Storms near the center of circulation started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression One-E will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression One will intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Depression One-E will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression One-E will move parallel to the west coast of Mexico.

Tropical Depression Likely to Form South of Mexico

A tropical depression is likely to form over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico during the next several days.  A broad area of low pressure was located south of Mexico.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of the area of low pressure was near latitude 10.0°N and longitude 98.0°W which put the center about 500 miles (805 km) south of Acapulco, Mexico.  The low pressure system was moving toward the northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

A broad area of low pressure was located over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico.  Thunderstorms were scattered inside the broad circulation of the low pressure system.  Satellite images appeared to indicate that some of the thunderstorms were beginning to organize into bands.

The broad area of low pressure will move through an environment favorable for the formation of a tropical depression during the next 48 hours.  The area of low pressure will move over water where 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 near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  The broad area of low pressure is likely to develop into a tropical depression during the next 48 hours.

The broad area of low pressure will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the area of low pressure toward the northwest during the next 48 hours.  On its anticipated track, the area of low pressure will move parallel to the coast of Mexico.

Tropical Low Spins Over Gulf of Carpentaria

A Tropical Low was spinning over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Sunday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of the Tropical Low was located at latitude 12.1°S and longitude 138.1°E which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) east of Nhulunbuy, Australia.   The Tropical Low was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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.

A low pressure system was spinning over the Gulf of Carpentaria on Sunday.  The Australian Bureau of Meteorology was designating the low pressure system as a Tropical Low.  The U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center was designating the low pressure system as Tropical Cyclone 31P.

The Tropical Low exhibited better organization on Sunday night.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation.  More thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of the Tropical Low.  Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the Tropical Low.

The Tropical Low will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The Tropical Low will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the northern part of an upper level ridge over northern Australia.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the tip of the Tropical Low.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent some intensification.  The Tropical Low could intensify during the next 24 hours.

The Tropical Low will move around the northern side of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer the Tropical Low toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, The Tropical Low will pass near Nhulunbuy and Cape Wessel.  The Tropical Low will move over the Arafura Sea on Tuesday.

The Tropical Low will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the far northeastern part of the Northern Territory of Australia.  Heavy rain could cause floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Errol Makes Landfall in Western Australia

Tropical Cyclone Errol made landfall on the coast of Western Australia on Friday.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol was located at latitude 16.1°S and longitude 124.3°E which put the center about 20 miles (35 km) south-southwest of Kuri Bay, Australia.  Errol was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 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. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Errol made landfall on the coast of Western Australia south-southwest of Kuri Bay on Friday.  Errol was weakening at the time of landfall.  Tropical Cyclone Errol was the equivalent of a tropical storm when it made landfall.  The circulation around Errol was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol.

An upper level trough near the coast of Western Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Errol toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Errol will move inland over Western Australia.  The center of Errol’s circulation will move southeast of Kuri Bay.

Tropical Cyclone Errol will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Western Australia south of Kuri Bay.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Errol Weakens Rapidly

Tropical Cyclone Errol weakened rapidly as it approached the coast of Western Australia on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol was located at latitude 16.2°S and longitude 122.1°E which put the center about 135 miles (220 km) north-northwest of Broome, Australia.  Errol was moving toward the east-southeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 980 mb.

A Warning is in effect for the coast of Western Australia from Kuri Bay to Broome.  The Warning includes Derby.

Tropical Cyclone Errol weakened rapidly as it approached the coast of Western Australia on Thursday.  An upper level trough near the coast of Western Australia was producing strong northwesterly winds that were blowing the top of Errol’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear was causing Tropical Cyclone Errol to weaken rapidly.

The strong vertical wind shear was also affecting the structure of Tropical Cyclone Errol.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern side of Errol’s circulation.  Bands in the western side of Tropical Cyclone Errol consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Errol was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) in the eastern side of Errol’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol.

Tropical Cyclone Errol will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Errol will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  However, the upper level trough near the coast of western Australia will continue to produce strong northwesterly winds that will blow toward the of Errol’s circulation.  Those winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Cyclone Errol to continue to weaken rapidly.

The upper level trough near the coast of Western Australia will steer Tropical Cyclone Errol toward the east-southeast during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol will make landfall near Cape Leveque in about 12 hours.  The center of Errol’s circulation will pass north of Derby.

Tropical Cyclone Errol will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the part of Western Australia near Cape Leveque and northeast of Derby.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Cyclone Errol Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of Cat. 5 Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Errol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia on Wednesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol was located at latitude 14.2°S and longitude 118.9°E which put the center about 325 miles (520 km) northwest of Broome, Australia.  Errol was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 195 m.p.h. (315 km/h).   The minimum surface pressure was 919 mb.

A Watch is in effect for the coast of Western Australia from Kuri Bay to Broome.  The Watch includes Derby.

Tropical Cyclone Errol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Wednesday.  A very small circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) was at the center of Errol’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 Tropical Cyclone Errol.  Storms near the core of Errol generated upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Errol increased while Errol rapidly intensified.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Errol’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Errol is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size index (HSI) is 12.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 47.8.  Tropical Cyclone Errol is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Michael when Michael hit Northwest Florida in 2018.

Tropical Cyclone Errol will move through an environment favorable for a powerful tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours.  Errol will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over Australia and the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Errol could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.  If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could cause Errol to weaken.  An upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will approach Tropical Cyclone Errol on Thursday.  The upper level trough will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  More vertical wind shear will cause Errol to weaken.

Tropical Cyclone Errol will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Errol toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Errol will remain north of Western Australia during the next day or so.  The upper level trough over the South Indian Ocean will cause Errol to start to move back toward the southeast on Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Errol Rapidly Intensifies to Equivalent of a Major Hurricane

Tropical Cyclone Errol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a major hurricane over the South Indian Ocean northwest of Australia during Tuesday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol was located at latitude 14.2°S and longitude 119.1°E which put the center about 325 miles (520 km) northwest of Broome, Australia. Errol was moving toward the west-southwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 940 mb.

A Watch is in effect for the coast of Western Australia from Kuri Bay to Broome.  The Watch includes Derby.

Tropical Cyclone Errol rapidly intensified to the equivalent of a  major hurricane during Tuesday night.  A very small circular eye with a diameter of 8 miles (13 km) was at the center of Errol’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 Tropical Errol.  Storms near the core of Errol generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical cyclone.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Cyclone Errol was small.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Errol’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Errol.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Errol is 28.3.  The Hurricane Size index (HSI) is 7.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 35.5  Tropical Cyclone Errol is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Charley when Charley hit Southwest Florida in 2004.

Tropical Cyclone Errol will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Errol will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over Australia and the South Indian Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Cyclone Errol could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours unless an eyewall replacement cycle occurs.  If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then concentric eyewalls could cause Errol to weaken.

Tropical Cyclone Errol will move around the northwestern part of a high pressure system over Australia.  The high pressure system will steer Errol toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Errol will remain north of Western Australia during the next day or so.  Errol could start to move back toward the southeast on Thursday.