Tag Archives: Mexico

Tropical Storm Watches Issued for South Texas and Northern Mexico

Tropical Storm Watches were issued for parts of the coast of south Texas and northern Mexico on Monday afternoon. A low pressure system over the Bay of Campeche was designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone One. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone One was located at latitude 20.3°N and longitude 93.2°W which put it about 380 miles (615 km) southeast of La Pesca, Mexico and about 470 miles (755 km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas. The low pressure system was moving toward the north-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor, Texas to Boca de Catan, Mexico.

A large low pressure system formed over the Bay of Campeche on Monday. The low pressure system did not exhibit the usual structural features of a tropical cyclone. So, the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Potential Tropical Cyclone One. Since the low pressure system has the potential to develop into a tropical storm, Tropical Storm Watches were issued for the coast of southern Texas and northern Mexico.

The large low pressure system did not have a well defined, distinct low level center of circulation. There were few thunderstorms in the broad region around the middle of the low pressure system. The surface winds were relatively weak near the middle of the low pressure system. The strongest winds were occurring in a band of thunderstorms about 285 miles (460 km) northeast of the middle of Potential Tropical Cyclone One. Some winds in that area were blowing at tropical storm force. Elsewhere in the low pressure system, the winds were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

The low pressure system will move through an environment favorable for the development of a tropical cyclone during the next 24 hours. Potential Tropical Cyclone One will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the the center of an upper level ridge centered near the Yucatan Peninsula. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Potential Tropical Cyclone One could develop into a tropical storm during the next 24 hours. A distinct low level center of circulation would have to form. Thunderstorms would have to develop and to persist near the low level center. The strongest winds would need to occur near the low level center of circulation in order for Potential Tropical Cyclone One to be classified as a tropical storm.

Potential Tropical Cyclone One will move around the northeastern part of a large counterclockwise circulation call a Central American Gyre (CAG). The Central American Gyre will steer the low pressure system toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. A strong high pressure system over the eastern U.S. will turn the low pressure system toward the west-northwest on Wednesday. On its anticipated track, Potential Tropical Cyclone One could approach the coast of northern Mexico or southern Texas on Wednesday evening.

Potential Tropical Cyclone One could be a tropical storm when it approaches the coast. That is the reason the Tropical Storm Watches were issued. Even if Potential Tropical Cyclone One does not develop into a tropical storm, it will drop heavy rain on parts of northern Mexico and southern Texas. The low pressure system could also cause a storm surge of up to four feet (one meter) where the winds blow the water toward the coast.

Former Tropical Storm Pilar Weakens

Former Tropical Storm Pilar weakened on Sunday. At 10:00 p.m. EST on Sunday the center of former Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 10.7°N and longitude 114.8°W which put it about 900 miles (1450 km) south-southwest of Baja California. Pilar was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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.

An upper level trough west of Baja California produced strong southwesterly winds that blew across the top of former Tropical Storm Pilar. Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear and they blew the upper and middle portions of Pilar’s circulation northeast of the circulation in the lower levels. Although there was still a well defined circulation in the lower levels of the atmosphere, the circulation of former Tropical Storm Pilar consisted of showers and lower clouds. The wind shear blew the tops off of any clouds that rose higher into the atmosphere.

Former Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next several days. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level trough west of Baja California will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear will prevent inhibit intensification. The lower level circulation of former Tropical Storm Pilar will spin down gradually during the next several days.

Former Tropical Storm Pilar will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Pilar toward the west-northwest during the next several days. On its anticipated track, former Tropical Storm Pilar will remain far to the southwest of Baja California.

Tropical Storm Pilar Keeps Moving West

Tropical Storm Pilar kept moving westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Saturday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 10.5°N and longitude 111.6°W which put it about 865 miles (1390 km) south of Baja California. Pilar was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 Pilar strengthened a little on Saturday as it continued to move westward south of Baja California. More thunderstorms formed in bands that were revolving around the center of Pilar’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern part of Tropical Storm Pilar. The winds in the southern side of Pilar’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pilar’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Pilar could strengthen on Sunday.

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

Tropical Storm Pilar Speeds Westward

Tropical Storm Pilar sped westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Friday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 10.1°N and longitude 104.0°W which put it about 560 miles (905 km) south-southwest of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Pilar was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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 Pilar weakened on Friday as it sped westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Thunderstorms were occurring in a couple of bands west and south of the center of Pilar’s circulation. Bands in the eastern and northern parts of Tropical Storm Pilar consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northern side of Pilar’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of a narrow, west to east upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pilar’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate vertical wind shear could cause Tropical Storm Pilar to weaken a little more on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Pilar toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pilar will continue to move farther away from Mexico on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Pilar Moves South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Pilar moved south of Mexico on Thursday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 10.7°N and longitude 99.2°W which put it about 465 miles (750 km) southwest of Salina Cruz, Mexico. Pilar was moving toward the west-southwest at 22 m.p.h. (35 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 998 mb.

There were not a lot of thunderstorms in the circulation around Tropical Storm Pilar on Thursday evening. A few thunderstorms persisted in a band on the northern side of the center of Pilar’s circulation. Bands in the other parts of Tropical Storm Pilar consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The circulation around Tropical Storm Pilar was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Pilar.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Gulf of Mexico. The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pilar’s circulation. A surface high pressure system that extends from the eastern U.S. across the Gulf of Mexico will produce strong northeasterly winds in the lower levels. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will be stronger than the winds in the upper levels. The difference in wind speed will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. In addition, the high pressure system will continue to pump cool dry air over the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The effects of the cool dry air and the moderate vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Pilar to weaken on Friday.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move around the southern part of the surface high pressure system. The high pressure system will steer Pilar toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pilar will move farther away from Mexico on Friday.

Tropical Storm Pilar Moves West and Weakens

Tropical Storm Pilar moved toward the west and weakened on Wednesday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 92.6°W which put it about 315 miles (505 km) southeast of Salina Cruz, Mexico. Pilar was moving toward the west 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 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Pilar weakened on Wednesday. Many of the thunderstorms in Pilar’s circulation dissipated during the day. There were still a few thunderstorms in a band just west of the center of Tropical Storm Pilar. Bands in the other parts of Pilar’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Pilar.

A large surface high pressure system over the eastern U.S. extended across the Gulf of Mexico to eastern Mexico. The high pressure system produced brisk northeasterly winds that transported cool dry air over the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The circulation around the western side of Tropical Storm Pilar appeared to pull some of the cool dry air into the tropical storm. The drier air reduced the relative humidity which caused the thunderstorms in Pilar to dissipate.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Pilar’s circulation. The surface high pressure system will continue to produce northeasterly winds in the lower levels. Easterly winds in the upper levels and northeasterly winds in the lower levels will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. In addition, the high pressure system will continue to pump cool dry air over the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The effects of the cool dry air and the moderate vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Pilar to continue to weaken on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move around the southern part of the surface high pressure system. The high pressure system will steer Pilar toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Pilar will remain south of Mexico on Thursday.

Cat. 5 Hurricane Otis Hits Acapulco

Category 5 Hurricane Otis hit Acapulco, Mexico on Tuesday night. Otis started to weaken after it made landfall. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Otis was located at latitude 17.7°N and longitude 100.3°W which put it about 60 miles (95 km) north-northwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Otis was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 965 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Acapulco.

Hurricane Otis strengthened to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale before it made landfall on the coast of Mexico on Tuesday night. A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was at the center of Hurricane Otis at the time of landfall. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Hurricane Otis. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 36.7. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 46.0. Hurricane Otis was similar in intensity to Hurricane Michael when Michael hit Northwest Florida in 2018. Otis was a little smaller than Michael was.

Hurricane Otis brought destructive winds and heavy rain to the area around Acapulco. Otis was capable of causing catastrophic damage. Widespread outages of electricity are likely. Otis dropped heavy rain in Guerrero. Heavy rain was likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Otis could have produced a storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) along the coast.

Hurricane Otis Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Otis rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Otis was located at latitude 16.1°N and longitude 99.7°W which put it about 55 miles (905 km) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Otis was moving toward the north-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 927 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Acapulco. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado, Mexico.

Hurricane Otis continued to intensify rapidly on Tuesday evening. A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was at the center of Hurricane Otis. 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 Hurricane Otis. Storms near the core of Otis generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane in all directions. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Hurricane Otis. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.3. Hurricane Otis was similar in intensity to Hurricane Michael when Michael hit Northwest Florida in 2018. Otis was a little smaller than Michael was.

Hurricane Otis will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Otis toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Otis will make landfall near Acapulco in a few hours.

Hurricane Otis will move through an environment favorable for intensification until it makes landfall on the coast of Mexico. Otis will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. An upper level ridge over Gulf of Mexico will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Otis’ circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the southeast and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Otis could intensify more before it makes landfall.

Hurricane Otis could be a Category 5 hurricane when it makes landfall near Acapulco. Otis will be capable of causing catastrophic damage. Hurricane Otis will bring extremely strong winds to Acapulco. Widespread outages of electricity are likely. Otis will also drop heavy rain on Guerrero. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Otis could produce a storm surge of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) along the coast.

Otis Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Otis rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Otis was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 99.5°W which put it about 115 miles (185 km) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Otis was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 960 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Acapulco. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado, Mexico.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter airplane flying into former Tropical Storm Otis on Tuesday afternoon found that Otis had rapidly intensified to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. A circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (16 km) had formed at the center of Hurricane Otis. 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 Hurricane Otis. Storms near the core of Otis generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions.

Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Hurricane Otis. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 32.8. Hurricane Otis was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Hurricane Otis will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Otis will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. An upper level ridge over Gulf of Mexico will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Otis’ circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the southeast and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Otis is likely to continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.

Hurricane Otis will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Otis toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Otis will approach the coast of Mexico early on Wednesday.

Hurricane Otis is very likely to be a major hurricane when it approaches the coast of Mexico. Otis could make landfall near Acapulco. Hurricane Otis will bring strong gusty winds and heavy rain to Guerrero. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Otis could produce a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along the coast.

Tropical Storm Otis Prompts Hurricane Warning for Mexico

The risk posed by Tropical Storm Otis prompted the government of Mexico to issue a Hurricane Warning for a portion of the coast on Tuesday. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Otis was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 98.6°W which put it about 175 miles (280 km) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Otis was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 997 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Acapulco. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lagunas de Chacahua to Punta Maldonado, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Otis strengthened over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Tuesday morning. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Otis’ circulation and the circulation became more symmetrical. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Otis. Storms near the center of circulation generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm in all directions. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Otis’ circulation.

Tropical Storm Otis will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Otis will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. An upper level ridge over Gulf of Mexico will produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Otis’ circulation. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the southeast and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Otis is likely to intensify to a hurricane during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Otis will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico. The high pressure will steer Otis toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Otis will approach the coast of Mexico early on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Otis is likely to be a hurricane when it approaches the coast of Mexico. Otis will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guerrero. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Otis could produce a storm surge of up to seven feet (two meters) along the coast.