Former Tropical Storm Flossie intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Monday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 104.3°W which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico. Flossie was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula, Mexico.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Former Tropical Storm Flossie intensified steadily on Monday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded Flossie to a hurricane on Monday night.
The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of Hurricane Flossie. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Flossie’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the inner end of the rainband that wrapped around the center of Hurricane Flossie. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Flossie’s circulation. Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The distribution of winds speeds in Hurricane Flossie became more symmetrical on Monday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Flossie’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.
Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Flossie 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 over southern Mexico and the adjacent part of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Flossie will intensify during the next 24 hours. Flossie could intensify rapidly at times. Hurricane Flossie could strengthen to a major hurricane.
Hurricane Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Flossie will move parallel to the coast of southwestern Mexico.
Bands in the northern side of Hurricane Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southwestern Mexico. The heaviest rain will fall in parts of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.
