Tag Archives: 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.

Tropical Storm Fausto Develops South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Fausto developed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Sunday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Fausto was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 112.7°W which put the center about 750 miles (1205 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Fausto was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 Six-E strengthened on Sunday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Fausto.

Tropical Storm Fausto was strengthening gradually on Sunday afternoon.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Fausto’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Fausto.  Bands in the eastern side of Fausto’s circulation still consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Fausto began to generate 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 northwestern part of Tropical Storm Fausto.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Fausto’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Fausto were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Fausto will move through and 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.  Tropical Storm Fausto will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Fausto is likely to strengthen to a hurricane on Monday.

Tropical Storm 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, Tropical Storm Fausto will move farther away from Mexico.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Elida was weakening slowly as it churned west of Baja California.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Elida was located at latitude 23.2°N and longitude 125.9°W which put the center about 1015 miles (1635 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Elida was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 996 mb.

Tropical Storm Elida Starts to Weaken

Tropical Storm Elida started to weaken on Saturday evening as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Elida was located at latitude 20.6°N and longitude 124.8°W which put the center about 970 miles (1560 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Elida was moving toward the north-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 993 mb.

Tropical Storm Elida started to weaken on Saturday evening after Elida had strengthened almost to hurricane intensity earlier in the day.  Tropical Storm Elida started to move over cooler Sea Surface Temperatures which is what caused Elida to weaken.  The cooler Sea Surface Temperatures were already starting to affect the structure of Elida’s circulation.  Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Elida consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern half of Elida’s circulation.

The distribution of winds speeds around Tropical Storm Elida continued to be asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of Elida’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the western half of Tropical Storm Elida.

Tropical Storm Elida will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Elida will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level trough that is off the West Coast of the U.S.  The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Elida’s circulation.  Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  The combination of cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and more vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Elida to weaken steadily on Sunday.

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

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Six-E formed south of Baja California.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Depression Six-E was located at latitude 11.3°N and longitude 109.1°W which put the center about 805 miles (1290 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  The tropical depression 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 1008 mb.

Tropical Depression Six-E is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane by early next week.

Tropical Storm Elida Churns Northwest

Tropical Cyclone Elida churned toward the northwest over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Elida was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 121.9°E which put the center about 875 miles (1410 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Elida was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 994 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Elida maintained its intensity on Friday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Elida’s circulation.  However, the circulation around Elida appeared to pull some drier air into the eastern side of the tropical storm.  Thunderstorms in some of the bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Elida weakened.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were still revolving around the center of Elida’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Elida also still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure did not change much on Friday.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Elida was still asymmetrical on Friday.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) in the eastern side of Elida’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Elida.

Tropical Storm Elida will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification for about another 24 hours.  Elida will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over 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.  Tropical Storm Elida could still intensify to a hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Elida is likely to start to weaken on Sunday when it moves over cooler water.

Tropical Storm Elida 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 Elida toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Elida will remain far to the west of Baja California.

Tropical Storm Elida Spins Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Elida was spinning over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Thursday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Elida was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 117.4°E which put the center about 695 miles (1120 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Elida was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 995 mb.

Tropical Storm Elida intensified gradually on Friday as it spun west of Baja California.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Elida’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Elida 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 blowing in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Elida.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) in the eastern half of Elida’s circulation.  The winds in the western half of Tropical Storm Elida were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Elida will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Elida 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 over 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.  Tropical Storm Elida will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Elida is likely to strengthen to a hurricane on Friday.

Tropical Storm Elida 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 Elida toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Elida will remain far to the southwest of Baja California.

Tropical Storm Elida Develops South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Elida developed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean South of Baja California on Tuesday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Elida was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 111.8°E which put the center about 565 miles (910 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Elida was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1003 mb.

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

Numerous thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Elida early on Wednesday.  Thunderstorms were also developing in bands revolving around the center of Elida’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Elida 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 northern side of Tropical Storm Elida.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern half of Elida’s circulation.  The winds in the southern half of Tropical Storm Elida were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Elida will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Elida 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 over 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.  Tropical Storm Elida will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Elida could intensify rapidly.

Tropical Storm Elida will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Elida toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Elida will move farther away from the southern part of Baja California.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Douglas

Former Tropical Depression 04E strengthened to Tropical Storm Douglas on Wednesday afternoon as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Douglas was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 127.0°W which put the center about 1220 miles (1960 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Douglas was moving toward the north 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 1003 mb.

Former Tropical Depression 04E strengthened on Wednesday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Douglas.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Douglas was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Douglas’ circulation.  Bands in the northern and western parts of Tropical Storm Douglas consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Douglas 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 side of Tropical Storm Douglas.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern side of Douglas’ circulation.  The winds in the western half of Tropical Storm Douglas were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Douglas will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Douglas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Baja California.  The upper level ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Douglas’ circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  There is also some drier air north and west of Tropical Storm Douglas.  The drier air could limit the development of thunderstorms in those parts of Douglas’ circulation.  Tropical Storm Douglas could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours, if the drier air does not get pulled into the center of its circulation.  Douglas is likely to move over cooler water by later on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Douglas 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 Douglas toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Douglas will remain far to the southwest of Baja California.