Tag Archives: Baja California

Tropical Storm Lala Forms, Hurricane Watch for Hawaii

Tropical Storm Lala formed over the Central Pacific Ocean east-southeast of Hawaii on Thursday morning.  A Hurricane Watch was issued for the Big Island of Hawaii.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Lala was located at latitude 15.4°N and longitude 145.8°W which put the center about 680 miles (1095 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Lala 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 1001 mb.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Hawaii County.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system formerly called Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C on Thursday morning and the U.S. Central Pacific Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Lala.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Lala exhibited more organization on Thursday.  New thunderstorms were developing near the center of Lala’s circulation.  Other thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Tropical Storm Lala.  Storms near the center of Lala generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Lala.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Lala’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the southeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Lala.  The winds in the western half of Lala’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Lala will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Lala will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the eastern part of an upper level ridge that is east of Hawaii.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lala’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Lala will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Lala will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Central Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Lala toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Lala will move toward Hawaii.  Lala could reach the Big Island of Hawaii on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Hernan strengthened a little as it moved far to the west of Baja California.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Hernan was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 131.9°W which put the center about 1460 miles (2350 km) west of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Hernan was moving toward the west-southwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Hernan Forms West of Baja California

Tropical Storm Hernan formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on Wednesday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Hernan was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 131.9°W which put the center about 1460 miles (2350 km) west of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Hernan was moving toward the west at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean strengthened on Wednesday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Hernan.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Hernan was asymmetrical.  An upper level trough near the West Coast of the U.S. was producing westerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Hernan’s circulation.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Hernan.

Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Hernan.  Bands in the western side of Hernan’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Hernan generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the east of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

Even though the thunderstorms were in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Hernan, the strongest winds were occurring in the western side of Hernan.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 40 miles (65 km) in the western side of Hernan’s circulation.  The winds in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Hernan were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Hernan will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Hernan will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  However, the upper level trough near the West Coast of the U.S. will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Hernan is unlikely to intensify during the next 24 hours because of the vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Hernan will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Hernan toward the southwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Hernan will remain far to the west of Baja California.

Elsewhere, Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C moved closer to Hawaii.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone One-C was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 144.5°W which put the center about 775 miles (1250 km) east-southeast of Hilo,Hawaii.   It was moving toward the west 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 1002 mb.

Genevieve Still a Tropical Storm

Tropical Storm Genevieve was still a tropical storm on Saturday evening as it approached the Central Pacific Ocean.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Genevieve was located at latitude 23.5°N and longitude 136.0°W which put the center about 1655 miles (2665 km) west of southern tip of Baja California.  Genevieve 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Genevieve continued to weaken gradually on Saturday as it moved over cooler water.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern side of Genevieve’s circulation.  Bands in the southern side of Tropical Storm Genevieve consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Genevieve still generated some upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased gradually on Saturday.

The asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Genevieve caused the distribution of wind speeds also to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the northern half of Genevieve’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles in the southern half of Tropical Storm Genevieve.

Tropical Storm Genevieve will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Genevieve will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23.5°C.  It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is east of Hawaii.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Genevieve’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase on Sunday.  Tropical Storm Genevieve will continue to weaken on Sunday because of the cooler water and more vertical wind shear.

Tropical Storm Genevieve 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 Genevieve toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Genevieve will move over the Central North Pacific Ocean on Sunday.  Genevieve should stay well to the northeast of Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Genevieve Churns West of Baja California

Tropical Storm Genevieve continued to churn over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on Friday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Genevieve was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 131.4°W which put the center about 1370 miles (2200 km) west of southern tip of Baja California.  Genevieve was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Genevieve continued to weaken gradually on Friday as it moved over cooler water in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California.  Thunderstorms near the center of Genevieve’s circulation were not rising as high into the atmosphere.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were still revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Genevieve.  Storms near the center of Genevieve generated less upper level divergence that pumped less mass away from the tropical Storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased gradually on Friday.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Genevieve.

Tropical Storm Genevieve will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Genevieve will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24.5°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Genevieve will continue to weaken gradually on Saturday as it moves over cooler water.

Tropical Storm Genevieve 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 Genevieve toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Genevieve will continue to move farther away from Baja California.

Genevieve Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Genevieve weakened to a tropical storm on Thursday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Genevieve was located at latitude 21.3°N and longitude 126.0°W which put the center about 1035 miles (1665 km) west of southern tip of Baja California.  Genevieve was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 989 mb.

Former Hurricane Genevieve continued to weaken gradually on Thursday as it moved over cooler water in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California.  Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Genevieve’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Genevieve.  Storms near the center of Genevieve still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure continued to increase on Thursday.

Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Genevieve.

Tropical Storm Genevieve will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Genevieve will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Genevieve will continue to weaken on Friday as it moves over cooler water.

Tropical Storm Genevieve will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Southwest U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Genevieve toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Genevieve will continue to move farther away from Baja California.

Hurricane Genevieve Continues to Weaken

Hurricane Genevieve continued to weaken as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Genevieve was located at latitude 19.6°N and longitude 120.8°W which put the center about 735 miles (1185 km) west-southwest of southern tip of Baja California.  Genevieve was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 970 mb.

Hurricane Genevieve continued to weaken gradually on Wednesday as it moved over cooler water in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California.  An eye was no longer visible on satellite imagery, but thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Genevieve’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Genevieve.  Storms near the center of Genevieve still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased on Wednesday.

The distribution of wind speeds around Hurricane Genevieve was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Genevieve’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Hurricane Genevieve.

Hurricane Genevieve will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Genevieve will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Genevieve will continue to weaken on Thursday as it moves over cooler water.  Genevieve could weaken to a tropical storm by Friday.

Hurricane Genevieve will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Southwest U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Genevieve toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Genevieve will move farther away from Baja California.

Tropical Storm Fausto Passes Northeast of Hawaii

Tropical Storm Fausto was weakening as it passed northeast of Hawaii on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Fausto was located at latitude 22.5°N and longitude 152.2°W which put the center about 270 miles (435 km) northeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Fausto was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Fausto was weakening as it passed northeast of Hawaii on Tuesday afternoon.  An upper level trough that was located north of Hawaii was producing strong southwesterly winds that were blowing across the top of Fausto’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear.  The strong upper level winds were also blowing the tops off of many of the thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Fausto.

Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern edge of Tropical Storm Fausto.  Bands in the other parts of Fausto’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  There were no thunderstorms near the center of Fausto to generate upper level divergence to pump mass away from the tropical storm.  Convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere was causing the surface pressure to increase.

The strongest winds were blowing on the northern side of Tropical Storm Fausto.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) in the northern side of Fausto’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern side of Tropical Storm Fausto.

Tropical Storm Fausto will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fausto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  However, the upper level trough north of Hawaii will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Fausto will continue to weaken steadily during the next 24 hours.  Fausto is likely to weaken to a tropical depression on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Fausto 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 Fausto toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Fausto will continue to pass north of Hawaii on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Genevieve was weakening gradually as it moved southwest of Baja California.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Genevieve was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 116.9°W which put the center about 565 miles (910 km) southwest of southern tip of Baja California.  Genevieve was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

Hurricane Genevieve Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Genevieve intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Sunday night as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Genevieve was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 112.2°W which put the center about 530 miles (855 km) south-southwest of southern tip of Baja California.  Genevieve was moving toward the northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 925 mb.

Hurricane Genevieve intensified to Category 5 on Sunday night.  A circular eye with a diameter of 23 miles (37 km) was at the center of Genevieve’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 Genevieve’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Genevieve generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large amounts of mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Genevieve became more symmetrical on Sunday night.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Genevieve’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) from the center of Hurricane Genevieve.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Genevieve was 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HII) was 16.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 51.5.  Hurricane Genevieve was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Michael when Michael hit Northwest Florida in 2018.

Hurricane Genevieve will move into an environment that will become slighyly less favorable for an intense hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Genevieve will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Genevieve will start to move into a region where the air is a little drier later today.  Hurricane Genevieve is likely to start to weaken when it moves into the region of drier air.

Hurricane Genevieve will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Southwest U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Genevieve toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Genevieve will move parallel to the coast of Baja California.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Fausto continued to weaken slowly as it moved over the Central North Pacific Ocean east of Hawaii.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Fausto was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 144.8°W which put the center about 670 miles (1080 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Fausto was moving toward the west-northwes at 14 m.p.h. (24 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 988 mb.

Hurricane Fausto Spins Southwest of Baja California

Hurricane Fausto continued to spin over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Tuesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Fausto was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 120.3°W which put the center about 805 miles (1295 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Fausto was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Hurricane Fausto was showing signs of strengthening on Tuesday evening.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Fausto’s circulation.  A small eye was appearing in microwave satellite images.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Fausto.  Storms near the center of Fausto generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Fausto increased on Tuesday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Fausto’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Hurricane Fausto.

Hurricane Fausto will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fausto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Fausto will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Fausto will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fausto toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Fausto will continue to move farther away from Mexico.  Fausto is likely to move over the Central Pacific Ocean during the upcoming weekend.

Fausto Strengthens to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Fausto strengthened to a hurricane on Monday evening as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Fausto was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 117.3°W which put the center about 745 miles (1200 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Fausto was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

Former Tropical Storm Fausto strengthened to a hurricane on Monday evening.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Fausto’s circulation.  A small eye appeared to be forming at the center of Hurricane Fausto.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Fausto’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Fausto generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Hurricane Fausto.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Fausto’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) in the southern half of Hurricane Fausto.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northern half of Fausto’s circulation.

Hurricane Fausto will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Fausto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Fausto will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Fausto could strengthen to a major hurricane on Wednesday.

Hurricane Fausto will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Fausto toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Fausto will continue to move farther away from Mexico.