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Tropical Storms Barbara and Cosme Spin West of Mexico

Tropical Storms Barbara and Cosme were spinning over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Mexico on Tuesday morning.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Barbara was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 108.1°W which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) west-southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.  Barbara was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 999 mb.

Former Hurricane Barbara weakened back to a tropical storm as it moved over cooler water south of Baja California during Monday night.  Thunderstorms were still occurring near the center of Barbara’s circulation.  Those thunderstorms generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  However, the upper level divergence pumped away less mass than was converging in the lower level’s of Barbara’s circulation.  The accumulation of mass in the lower levels caused the surface pressure to increase.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Barbara was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Barbara’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Barbara will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Barbara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C. It will move under the middle part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and 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 Barbara will continue to weaken during the next 24 hours as it moves over colder water.

Tropical Storm Barbara will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Barbara toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Barbara will move slowly toward the southern end of Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Cosme was spinning south of Baja California.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Cosme was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 114.5°W which put the center about 605 miles (975 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Cosme was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 993 mb.

Tropical Storm Cosme maintained its intensity during Monday night.  Thunderstorms were occurring near the center of Cosme’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Cosme.  Bands in the eastern side of Cosme’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Cosme generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was almost the same as the inflow of mass in the lower level of Tropical Storm Cosme.  As a result of the balance of inflow and outflow, the surface pressure remained nearly constant.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Cosme was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of Cosme’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Cosme will move through an environment slightly unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Cosme will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Cosme’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The combination of cooler Sea Surface Temperatures and some vertical wind shear will likely cause Tropical Storm Cosme to start to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Cosme will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Cosme toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Cosme will remain far to the south of Baja California.

Barbara Intensifies to Hurricane Southwest of Mexico

Former Tropical Storm Barbara intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Monday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Barbara was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 106.1°W which put the center about 155 miles (245 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Barbara was moving toward the 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 991 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Barbara intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Monday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern side of the center of Barbara’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Barbara.  Storms near the center of Barbara generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Barbara was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Barbara’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hurricane Barbara.

Hurricane Barbara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Barbara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the middle part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and 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 Barbara could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.  Barbara will move over cooler water by Tuesday which will cause it to start to weaken.

Hurricane Barbara will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Barbara toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Barbara will move closer to the southern end of Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Cosme was also intensifying.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Cosme was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 113.3°W which put the center about 620 miles (1000 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Cosme was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Cosme Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Cosme formed 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 Cosme was located at latitude 13.3°N and longitude 111.0°W which put the center about 665 miles (1075 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Cosme was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 999 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California strengthened on Sunday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Cosme.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Cosme.  Thunderstorms also developed in bands in the southern and western parts of Cosme’s circulation.  Bands in the eastern and northern parts of Tropical Storm Cosme consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Cosme generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Cosme was relatively small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Cosme’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Cosme will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Cosme will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C.  It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Cosme’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent Cosme from intensifying.  Tropical Storm Cosme will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Cosme will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Cosme toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Cosme will remain far to the south of Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Barbara strengthened southwest of Mexico.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Barbara was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 104.1°W which put the center about 205 miles (325 km) southwest of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.  Barbara was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 Cosme and Tropical Storm Barbara will move close enough to each other during the next few days that their two circulations are likely to interact.

Tropical Storm Barbara Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Barbara formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico during Saturday night.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Barbara was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 102.4°W which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.  Barbara was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened during Saturday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Barbara.  The circulation around Tropical Storm Barbara was organizing quickly.  More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Barbara’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were also developing quickly in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Barbara.  Storms near the center of Barbara generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm in all directions.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Barbara was relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Barbara’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Barbara will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Barbara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and 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 Barbara will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Barbara could rapidly intensify to a hurricane by Monday.

Tropical Storm Barbara will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Barbara toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Barbara will move west of the west coast of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Cosme Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Cosme formed southwest of Baja California on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Cosme was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 115.7°W which put it about 630 miles (1015 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Cosme was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1001 mb.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) determined on Saturday that a distinct center of circulation had developed in a broader area of lower pressure and NHC designated the system as Tropical Storm Cosme.  The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Cosme was asymmetrical.  The stronger thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of the circulation.  Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  An upper level trough near Baja California was producing strong southwesterly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were probably the reason for the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Cosme will move through an environment that is not favorable for significant intensification.  Cosme will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C.  The upper level trough will continue to produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Cosme.  The upper level winds are likely to weaken somewhat, but they will continue to cause vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Cosme could intensify a little during the next 24 hours, but it is not likely to strengthen significantly.

Tropical Storm Cosme will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Cosme toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Cosme is forecast to remain well to the west of Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Barbara continued to weaken as it moved toward Hawaii.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Barbara was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 139.2°W which put it about 1040 miles (1670 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Barbara was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1000 mb.

Barbara Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Barbara weakened to a tropical storm on Friday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Barbara was located at latitude 18.6°N and longitude 134.7°W which put it about 1330 miles (2145 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Barbara was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 997 mb.

The effects of vertical wind shear and cooler Sea Surface Temperatures caused former Hurricane Barbara to weaken quickly to a tropical storm on Friday.  An upper level trough northeast of Hawaii produced strong southwesterly winds which blew the upper portion of the circulation north of the remainder of the tropical storm.  In addition, Tropical Storm Barbara moved over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 25°C which meant there was less energy to support the development of taller thunderstorms.  Tropical Storm Barbara still had a well formed circulation in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  However, as a result of the strong shear and cooler water, bands consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Barbara will continue to move over cooler water and through a region of strong vertical wind shear during the next several days.  Barbara will continue to weaken and it could be a tropical depression on Saturday.

Since Tropical Storm Barbara contains few tall thunderstorms, it is being steered by winds closer to the surface.  A subtropical high pressure system north of Barbara will steer the tropical storm toward the west.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Barbara will move toward Hawaii.

Hurricane Barbara Starts to Weaken

Hurricane Barbara started to weaken on Wednesday when it moved over cooler water well to the east of Hawaii.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Barbara was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 127.5°W which put it about 1860 miles (2990 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Barbara was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 170 m.p.h. (275 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 941 mb.

The circulation around Hurricane Barbara remained very well organized.  There was a circular eye 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.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Barbara.  Storms near the core of the circulation were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the hurricane.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 185 miles (295 km) from the center.

Hurricane Barbara still rated at Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Barbara was 28.3.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 16.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.8.

Hurricane Barbara will gradually move into an environment less capable of supporting a strong hurricane during the next few days.  Barbara will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 26°C.  As a result, Hurricane Barbara will extract less energy from the upper ocean and it will gradually weaken.  Barbara will move closer to an upper level trough located northeast of Hawaii.  When Hurricane Barbara gets closer to the trough later this week, stronger upper level southwesterly winds will create more vertical wind shear and the hurricane will weaken more quickly.

Hurricane Barbara will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Barbara toward the west-northwest during the next 24 to 36 hours.  The ridge is forecast to strengthen on Friday and it will steer Hurricane Barbara more toward the west when that happens.  On its anticipated track Barbara could approach Hawaii in about five days.  It will be much weaker by that time.

Barbara Rapidly Intensifies Into a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Barbara rapidly intensified into a major hurricane on Tuesday as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean between Baja California and Hawaii.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Barbara was located at latitude 12.5°N and longitude 122.2°W which put it about 1080 miles (1740 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Barbara was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (215 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

Hurricane Barbara continued to intensify rapidly on Tuesday.  A circular eye became more evident on satellite imagery.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Storms near the core of Barbara were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Barbara.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 200 miles (320 km) in the southeastern quadrant of the circulation.  Tropical storm force winds extended out about 120 miles (195 km) from the center in the other three quadrants.

Hurricane Barbara was at Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Barbara was 25.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.1.

Hurricane Barbara will move through an environment very favorable for strong hurricanes for another 12 to 24 hours.  Barbara will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Barbara is likely to intensify further during the next 12 hours.  If a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Barbara to weaken.  Hurricane Barbara will approach cooler water on Wednesday and it is likely to start to weaken by that time.  Barbara will move into an area where the upper level winds are stronger later this week and it could weaken more quickly when the wind shear increases.

Hurricane Barbara will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Barbara in a west-northwesterly direction during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Barbara will move in the general direction of Hawaii.

Barbara Rapidly Intensifies Into a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Barbara rapidly intensified into a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Barbara was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 118.5°W which put it about 970 miles (1560 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Barbara was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure  was 983 mb.

Hurricane Barbara intensified rapidly on Monday.  An eye formed at the center of circulation and a ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye.  The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.  Storm near the core of Barbara were generating strong upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the hurricane.  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 160 miles (260 km) from the center.

Hurricane Barbara will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 to 48 hours.  Barbara will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Barbara will continue to intensify rapidly and it is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane on Tuesday.

Hurricane Barbara will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean during the next few days.  The ridge will steer Barbara toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Barbara will move farther away from Baja California and the rest of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Barbara Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Barbara formed south of Baja California on Sunday as the remnants of former Hurricane Alvin were dissipating over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Barbara was located at latitude 10.6°N and longitude 110.4°W which put it about 850 miles (1370 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Barbara was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system south of Baja California on Sunday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Barbara.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  Tropical Storm Barbara was larger than former Hurricane Alvin.  Winds to tropical storms force extended out about 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Barbara will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Barbara will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Barbara will continue to intensify and it is likely to strengthen into a hurricane by the middle of the week.  Barbara could intensify rapidly when the inner core is more developed.

Tropical Storm Barbara will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Barbara toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Barbara will move away from Baja California and the rest of Mexico.