A risk posed by Tropical Storm Otis prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Watch for a portion of the coast of Mexico on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Otis was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 97.5°W which put it about 375 miles (605 km) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Otis was moving toward the north-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.
A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lagunas de Chacahua to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico.
Tropical Storm strengthened gradually over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Monday morning. Even though Otis was strengthening, the distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical. Many of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Otis’ circulation. Bands in the eastern part of Tropical Storm Otis consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. An upper level ridge over Mexico was producing easterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Otis’ circulation. Those winds were causing vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.
Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Otis.
Tropical Storm Otis will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Otis will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level ridge over Mexico will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but Tropical Storm Otis could intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Otis will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure will steer Otis toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Otis will move closer to southern Mexico.
Elsewhere, former Hurricane Norma weakened to a tropical depression over Mexico. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Norma was located at latitude 24.9°N and longitude 107.7°W which put it about 15 miles (25 km) west-northwest of Culiacan, Mexico. Norma was moving toward the east-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1000 mb.