Tag Archives: EP06

Hurricane Felicia Reaches Cat. 4

Hurricane Felicia reached Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Felicia was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 123.2°W which put it about 1030 miles (1660 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 954 mb.

Hurricane Felicia strengthened to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Friday. A small circular eye at the center of Felicia became more well defined on satellite images. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms around the core of Felicia generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The circulation around Hurricane Felicia was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (35 km) from the center of Felicia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Felicia was 25.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 6.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 31.2.

Hurricane Felicia may have reached its peak intensity. Felicia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C for a few more hours. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Those environmental conditions may allow Hurricane Felicia to maintain its intensity for awhile. Felicia will move over slightly cooler water during the weekend. Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Hurricane Felicia to start to weaken.

Hurricane Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system during the next few days. The high will steer Felicia toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Felicia will move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.

Felicia Strengthens to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Felicia strengthened to a major hurricane on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Felicia was located at latitude 15.1°N and longitude 121.0°W which put it about 900 miles (1450 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Hurricane Felicia continued to intensify quickly on Thursday and it strengthened to a major hurricane on Friday morning. A small circular eye was present at the center of Felicia. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms around the core of Felicia generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The circulation around Hurricane Felicia was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Felicia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Felicia will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Felicia 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. Hurricane Felicia could strengthen on Friday. Felicia will move over slightly cooler water during the weekend. Cooler Sea Surface Temperatures will cause Hurricane Felicia to weaken.

Hurricane Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system during the next few days. The high will steer Felicia toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Felicia will move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.

Felicia Quickly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Felicia quickly intensified to a hurricane on Thursday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Felicia was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 118.6°W which put it about 775 miles (1250 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

The circulation around former Tropical Storm Felicia organized quickly during the past 24 hours. A small circular eye developed at the center of Felicia. A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Hurricane Felicia. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The circulation around Hurricane Felicia was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Felicia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Felicia will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Felicia 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. Hurricane Felicia will continue to intensify and it could strengthen to a major hurricane on Friday.

Hurricane Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system during the next few days. The high will steer Felicia toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Felicia will move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.

Tropical Storm Felicia Forms South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Felicia formed south of Baja California on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Felicia was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 114.1°W which put it about 655 miles (1055 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Felicia was moving toward the west-northwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1002 mb.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of a low pressure system south of Baja California on Wednesday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Felicia. Thunderstorms were also forming in bands in the western half of Felicia’s circulation. Bands in the eastern half of the tropical storm consisted mainly of the showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Felicia generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Felicia will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Felicia 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. Tropical Storm Felicia will continue to intensify and it could strengthen to a hurricane on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Felicia will move south of a subtropical high pressure system during the next few days. The high will steer Felicia toward the west. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Felicia will move farther away from Baja California.

Tropical Storm Gil Forms Over Eastern North Pacific

Tropical Storm Gil formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday.  A scatterometer onboard a satellite found winds to tropical storm force northeast of the center of former Tropical Depression Eight-E and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Gil.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Gil was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 122.4°W which put it about 980 miles (1580 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Gil was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to about 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Gil was asymmetrical.  There was a distinct low level center of circulation which was visible on satellite imagery.  However, the stronger thunderstorms were occurring east of the center of circulation.  Bands in the western half of Gil consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  An upper level trough south of California was producing strong westerly winds which were blowing across the top of the circulation.  The winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were contributing to the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.  Tropical storm force winds were occurring within 80 miles (130 km) of the center of Tropical Storm Gil only in the northeastern quadrant of of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Gil will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification.  Gil will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C.  However, the upper level trough will continue to cause significant vertical wind shear.  The strong vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification of Tropical Storm Gil.  Gil could weaken to a tropical depression if the shear increases.

Tropical Storm Gil will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Gil in a westward direction during the next several days.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gil will move farther away from Mexico.

Elsewhere over the Central Pacific Ocean, strong vertical wind shear was weakening Tropical Storm Erick and Tropical Storm Flossie.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Erick was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 163.9°W which put it about 480 miles (770 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Erick was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Flossie was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 144.5°W which put it about 695 miles (1115 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Flossie was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 1003 mb.

Weakening Tropical Storm Erick Passes South of Hawaii

A weakening Tropical Storm Erick was passing south of Hawaii on Friday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Erick was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 157.4°W which put it about 310 miles (505 km) south of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Erick 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 1000 mb.

An upper level trough northwest of the Hawaii Islands was producing strong southwesterly winds which were blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Erick.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear, which was causing Erick to weaken quickly.  Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands northeast of the center of circulation.  Bands near the center and in other parts of Tropical Storm Erick consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The stronger winds were occurring in the northern half of the circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

A Flash Flood Watch was in effect for the Big Island of Hawaii through Saturday morning.  Counterclockwise flow around Tropical Storm Erick was producing southeasterly which were blowing up the slopes on the Big Island.  The enhanced rising will also increase rainfall on those slopes and flash floods could occur in some locations.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Flossie was showing signs of strengthening back into a hurricane.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Flossie.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Flossie was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 137.8°W which put it about 1145 miles (1845 km) east of HIlo, Hawaii.  Flossie was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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.

Erick Rapidly Intensifies Into Major Hurricane

Erick rapidly intensified into a major hurricane over the the Central Pacific Ocean during Monday night.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Erick was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 142.8°W which put it about 920 miles (1485 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Erick was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 966 mb.

The core of Hurricane Erick intensified rapidly during the overnight hours.  The eye became more circular and distinct on infrared satellite images.  The diameter of the eye was about 12 miles (19 km) on Tuesday morning.  Thunderstorms in the ring around the eye grew taller and the wind speed around the eye increased quickly.  Storms around the core of Erick generated strong upper level divergence which pumped mass away from the hurricane.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of the circulation.

The circulation around Hurricane Erick was relatively small.  Winds to hurricane force were occurring within 25 miles (40 km) of the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 100 miles (160 km) of the center.  The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Erick was 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 28.8.

Hurricane Erick will remain in an environment favorable for intensification for about another 24 hours.  Erick will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear during the next day or so.  Hurricane Erick will approach an upper level trough east of Hawaii on Wednesday.  The trough will produce stronger southwesterly winds which will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Hurricane Erick will start to weaken when the wind shear increases.

Hurricane Erick will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern and Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Erick toward the west during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Erick could be south of Hawaii on Thursday night.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Flossie was nearing hurricane strength over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Flossie was located at latitude 12.2°N and longitude 120.5°W which put it about 1015 mile (1635 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Flossie was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 999 mb.

Hurricane Erik and Tropical Storm Flossie Strengthen

Hurricane Erick and Tropical Storm Flossie both moved westward and strengthened over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Erick was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 140.0°W which put it about 1110 miles (1790 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Erick was moving west at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 990 mb.

The circulation around Hurricane Erick exhibited greater organization on Monday.  A small eye developed at the center of circulation.  The eye was surround by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms,  Winds to hurricane force extended out about 20 miles (30 km) from the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Erick.  Storms near the core were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the hurricane.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 70 miles (110 km) from the center.

Hurricane Erick will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours.  Erick will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Erick will intensify during the next two days and it could strengthen into a major hurricane.  Eventually, Erick will approach an upper level trough east of Hawaii and the vertical wind shear will increase.

Hurricane Erick will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Erick toward the west. On its anticipated track Hurricane Erick could be southeast of Hawaii on Thursday.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Flossie was also intensifying.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Flossie was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 117.8°W which put it about 895 miles (1445 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Flossie was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 1001 mb.  Tropical Storm Flossie is also forecast to move westward and strengthen.

Tropical Storm Erick Forms Over Eastern North Pacific

Tropical Storm Erick formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Erick was located at latitude 11.9°N and longitude 126.8°W which put it about 1955 miles (3145 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Erick 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 1005 mb.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Erick.  The circulation around Erick was still organizing.  A small cluster of thunderstorms formed near the center of circulation and the strongest winds were occurring in that cluster.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were developing and the bands were beginning to revolve around the center of Tropical Storm Erick.  Storms near the center of circulation were starting to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Erick will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 to 72 hours.  Erick will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27.5°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Erick will strengthen and it could become a hurricane within 48 hours.  Erick could intensify more rapidly if an eye and eyewall form.

Tropical Storm Erick will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The subtropical high will steer Erick toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Erick could be southeast of Hawaii in four or five days.

Tropical Storm Fabio Develops West of Mexico

Tropical Storm Fabio developed west of Mexico on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Fabio was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 107.4°W which put it about 770 miles (1240 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California.  Fabio was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Fabio was still organizing.  There was a broad low level center of circulation, but it did not have a well developed inner core.  Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the broad low level center.  The storms in the rainbands were generating some upper level divergence which was starting to pump mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Fabio will move through an environment that is very favorable for intensification.  Fabio will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28.5°C.  An upper level ridge northeast of Tropical Storm Fabio will produce easterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  However, the wind speed will be similar at all levels and there will not be much vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Fabio will continue to intensify in the favorable environment.  Once a primary rainband wraps around the center of circulation, an inner core will develop.  Tropical Storm Fabio could intensify rapidly when an eye starts to form.  Fabio could strengthen into a major hurricane in two or three days.

Tropical Storm Fabio was moving south of a subtropical ridge which was steering the tropical storm toward the west-northwest.  A general west-northwesterly motion is expected to continue during the next few days.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Fabio will pass well to the south of Baja California.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean Tropical Depression Emilia continued to weaken over cooler water.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Emilia was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 123.0°W which put it about 880 miles (1415 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Emilia was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.