Tag Archives: Alvin

Alvin Strengthens Into a Hurricane Southwest of Baja California

Former Tropical Storm Alvin strengthened into a hurricane southwest of Baja California on Thursday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Alvin was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 115.4°W which put it about 520 miles (840 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Alvin was moving toward the northwest 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 992 mb.

The circulation around Hurricane Alvin exhibited much greater organization on Wednesday.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 10 miles (15 km) appeared at the center of circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  The circulation around Hurricane Alvin was very small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out only 10 miles (15 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 50 miles (80 km) from the center.

Hurricane Alvin may be near its maximum intensity.  Alvin was moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 27°C.  However, it will move over cooler water on Friday.  The small size of the circulation around Hurricane Alvin could allow it to weaken quickly once it moves over the cooler water.

Hurricane Alvin will move near the western end of a subtropical ridge over Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Alvin toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Alvin is forecast to weaken when it moves over colder water between Baja California and Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Alvin Develops South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Alvin developed south of Baja California on Wednesday morning, when former Tropical Depression One-E strengthened to a tropical storm.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Alvin was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 109.4°W which put it about 565 miles (915 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Alvin was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Alvin exhibited greater organization on Wednesday morning.  A band of thunderstorms wrapped around the eastern side of the center of circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were organizing in the eastern half of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 35 miles (55 km) from the center on the eastern side of the circulation.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Alvin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 to 36 hours.  Alvin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  Tropical Storm Alvin will move south of an upper level ridge.  The ridge will produce northeasterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Alvin will intensify during the next day or two and it could strengthen into a hurricane.

The upper level ridge will steer Tropical Storm Alvin toward the west during the next several days.  Alvin could move a little to the south of due west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Alvin will move steadily farther away from Mexico.