Tag Archives: EP18

Hurricane Simon Nears Western Mexico

Powerful Hurricane Simon was nearing the west coast of Mexico on Saturday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Simon was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 104.8°W which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.   Simon was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 932 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to El Roblito, Mexico.  The Hurricane Warning includes Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Las Islas Marias.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.

Hurricane Simon intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Saturday.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall on Saturday.  Concentric eyewalls were at the center of Hurricane Simon.  The inner eyewall had a diameter of 14 miles (22 km).  The outer eyewall had a diameter of 40 miles (65 km).

Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Simon’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Simon 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 Simon was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Simon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Simon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Simon is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 8.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 40.1.  Hurricane Simon is bigger and stronger than Hurricane Charley was when Charley hit southwest Florida in 2004.

Hurricane Simon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Simon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Simon could weaken during the next few hours if an eyewall replacement cycle occurs, even though Simon is in a favorable environment.

Hurricane Simon will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Simon toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Simon will be near Manzanillo on Sunday morning.

Hurricane Simon will be a major hurricane when it hits the west coast of Mexico.  Simon will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the west coast of Mexico.  The strongest winds and heaviest rains will occur in Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Hurricane Simon could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along parts of the west coast of Mexico.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Rachel was moving quickly toward northern Baja California.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Rachel was located at latitude 27.0°N and longitude 118.3°W which put the center about 255 miles (415 km) southwest of Punta Baja, Mexico.  Rachel was moving toward the north-northeast at 30 m.p.h. (48 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 989 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Eugenia, Mexico to the Mexico/U.S. border.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Isla San Luis to Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S./Mexico border to the San Diego County/Orange County line in California.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Isla San Luis to Bahia de Los Angeles, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Libertad to Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

Simon Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Simon intensified to a major hurricane as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Friday.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Simon was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 104.6°W which put the center about 155 miles (250 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico.   Simon was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita, Mexico.  The Hurricane Warning includes Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Mita to El Roblito, Mexico.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Las Islas Marias.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.

Hurricane Simon intensified to a major hurricane on Friday.

A very small eye formed at the center of Hurricane Simon.  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 center of Simon’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Simon 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 Simon was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Simon’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hurricane Simon.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Simon is 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 6.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 28.2.

Hurricane Simon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Simon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Simon will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Simon could intensify rapidly at times.  Hurricane Simon could strengthen to a Category 5 hurricane on Saturday.

Hurricane Simon will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Simon toward the north during the next 24 hours.  Hurricane Simon will approach the west coast of Mexico between Manzanillo and Cabo Corrientes on Saturday.

Hurricane Simon is likely to be a major hurricane when it hits the west coast of Mexico.  Simon will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the west coast of Mexico.  The strongest winds and heaviest rains will occur in Jalisco and Nayarit.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Hurricane Simon could cause a storm surge of up to 16 feet (5 meters) along parts of the west coast of Mexico.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Rachel started to move toward Baja California.  Tropical Storm Watches and Tropical Storm Warnings were issued for parts of southern California, the northern part of Baja California and northwestern Mexico.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Rachel was located at latitude 23.8°N and longitude 123.3°W which put the center about 720 miles (1160 km) south-southwest of San Diego, California.  Rachel was moving toward the northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 995 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from San Jose de Las Palomas, Mexico to the Mexico/U.S. border.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Isla San Luis to Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the U.S./Mexico border to the San Diego County/Orange County line in California.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Isla San Luis to Bahia de Los Angeles, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Libertad to Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

Simon Strengthens to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Simon strengthened to a hurricane on Thursday evening as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Simon was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 104.6°W which put the center about 235 miles (380 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Simon was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 985 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Punta Mita, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Simon strengthened to a hurricane on Friday evening.

Tall thunderstorms formed near the center of Hurricane Simon.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Simon’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Simon 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 Simon was small.  The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Simon’s circulation.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles in the northeastern quadrant of Simon.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Simon.

Hurricane Simon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Simon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level ridge winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Simon will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Simon could intensify rapidly at times.  Hurricane Simon could strengthen to a major hurricane on Friday.

Hurricane Simon will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Simon toward the north during the next 24 hours. Hurricane Simon will approach the west coast of Mexico on Saturday.

Hurricane Simon is likely to be a major hurricane when it hits the west coast of Mexico.  Simon will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the west coast of Mexico.  The strongest winds and heaviest rains will occur in Jalisco and Nayarit.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.  Hurricane Simon could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along parts of the west coast of Mexico.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Rachel continued to weaken gradually west of Baja California.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Rachel was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 125.5°W which put the center about 995 miles (1600 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Rachel 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Simon Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Simon formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Wednesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Simon was located at latitude 15.5°N and longitude 101.6°W which put the center about 175 miles (285 km) south-southeast of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.  Simon was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1004 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Wednesday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Simon.

Tropical Storm Simon exhibited better organization on Wednesday afternoon.  More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Simon’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also started to develop in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Simon.  Storms near the center of Simon began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass cause the surface pressure to start to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Tropical Storm Simon.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Simon’s circulation.  The winds in the other parts of Tropical Storm Simon were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Simon will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Simon will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Simon’s circulation.  Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Simon will intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Simon will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Simon toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  Simon will start to move toward the north on Friday when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Simon could approach the west coast of Mexico on Saturday.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Rachel was still spinning west of Baja California.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Rachel was located at latitude 21.2°N and longitude 122.3°W which put the center about 800 miles (1290 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  Rachel was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Hurricane Rachel Churns West

Hurricane Rachel churned westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Monday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Rachel was located at latitude 20.4°N and longitude 117.9°W which put the center about 540 miles (870 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Rachel was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

A large circular eye with a diameter of 60 miles (96 km) was at the center of Hurricane Rachel.

The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern and southern part of Rachel’s circulation.  Bands in the western and northern parts of Hurricane Rachel consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Rachel still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased slowly on Monday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Rachel did not change much on Monday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Rachel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Hurricane Rachel.

Hurricane Rachel will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Rachel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Rachel will continue to move through a mass of drier air that is west of Baja California.  Hurricane Rachel is likely to continue to weaken gradually on Tuesday because of the effects of the drier air.

Hurricane Rachel 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 Rachel toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Rachel will continue to move farther away from Baja California.

Hurricane Rachel Still South of Baja California

Hurricane Rachel was still spinning over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Sunday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Rachel was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 114.8°W which put the center about 365 miles (590 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Rachel was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 967 mb.

Although Hurricane Rachel strengthened earlier on Sunday, Rachel appeared to be weakening again on Sunday.  Hurricane Rachel was moving into a large mass of drier air.  The drier air caused many of the thunderstorms in the northern side of Rachel’s circulation to dissipate.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southern half of Hurricane Rachel.  Storms near the center of Rachel still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  However, the removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure started to increase again.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Rachel was still fairly symmetrical on Sunday evening.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Rachel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Hurricane Rachel.

Hurricane Rachel will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Rachel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  However, Rachel will continue to move through the mass of drier air.  Hurricane Rachel is likely to weaken on Monday because of the effects of the drier air.

Hurricane Rachel 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 Rachel toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Rachel will move farther away from Baja California.

Nolo Strengthens Back to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Nolo strengthened back to a major hurricane as it moved over the Central North Pacific Ocean far to the west of Hawaii on Saturday.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Nolo was located at latitude 23.4°N and longitude 175.1°W which put the center about 200 miles (320 km) south-southwest of Lisianski Island.  Nolo was moving toward the west at 20 m.p.h. (32 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. (215 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 957 mb.

Hurricane Nolo strengthened back to a major hurricane on Saturday.  However, Nolo appeared to be in the middle of an eyewall replacement cycle on Saturday night.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall.  The eye was no longer seen on satellite images.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Nolo’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Nolo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease on Saturday.

The distribution of wind speeds in Hurricane Nolo was relatively symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Nolo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Hurricane Nolo.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Nolo is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 11.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 32.2.  Hurricane Nolo is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Delta when Delta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Hurricane Nolo will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Nolo 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 Nolo could weaken during the next few hours until the eyewall replacement cycle is completed.  Nolo is likely to intensify again after the eyewall replacement cycle is completed.

Hurricane Nolo will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Western North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Nolo toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Nolo will move across the International Date Line on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Rachel continued to spin south of Baja California.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Rachel was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 112.8°W which put the center about 275 miles (440 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Rachel was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 970 mb.

Hurricane Rachel Spins South of Baja California

Hurricane Rachel was spinning over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Friday night.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Rachel was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 111.5°W which put the center about 265 miles (425 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Rachel was moving toward the west at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 966 mb.

Hurricane Rachel weakened gradually on Friday.  Rachel move over cooler water that was mixed to the surface by the passage of Hurricane Polo last week.  The cooler water caused some of the thunderstorms, especially on the northern side of Rachel’s circulation to weaken.

The circulation around Hurricane Rachel was still well organized even though Rachel was a little weaker than it was yesterday.  A circular eye was still present at the center of Rachel’s circulation.  The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Thunderstorms were also occurring in bands in the southern half of Hurricane Rachel.  Bands in the northern side of Rachel’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Rachel generated less upper level divergence that pumped less mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in he upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure to increased on Friday.

The distribution of winds speeds in Hurricane Rachel was fairly symmetrical . Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Rachel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Hurricane Rachel.

Hurricane Rachel will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Rachel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge that is over Baja California.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Rachel’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Rachel is likely to continue to weaken on Saturday because of the moderate vertical wind shear.

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

Elsewhere, former Tropical Storm Nolo strengthened back to a hurricane far to the west of Hawaii.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Nolo was located at latitude 23.4°N and longitude 168.5°W which put the center about 145 miles (230 km) west-southwest of French Frigate Shoals.  Nolo was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 978 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from French Frigate Shoals to Lisianaki Island including Maro Reef.

Rachel Strengthens to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Rachel strengthened to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Thursday afternoon.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Rachel was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 109.5°W which put the center about 245 miles (390 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Rachel was moving toward the west at 3 m.p.h. (5 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. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Hurricane Rachel intensified to a major hurricane on Thursday afternoon.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Rachel’s circulation.  A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Rachel’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 Rachel’s circulation.  Storms near the core of Rachel generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of winds speeds in Hurricane Rachel was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Rachel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Hurricane Rachel.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Rachel is 22.1.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 14.0 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 36.1.  Hurricane Rachel is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Milton when Milton hit Florida in 2024.

Hurricane Rachel will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Rachel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are 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 Rachel will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Rachel will move over cooler water during the weekend.  Hurricane Rachel will start to weaken when it moves over the cooler water.

Hurricane Rachel will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will Rachel toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Rachel will gradually move farther away from Baja California.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Nolo started to intensify again far to the west of Hawaii.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Nolo was located at latitude 22.3°N and longitude 165.5°W which put the center about 120 miles (195 km) south-southeast of French Frigate Shoals.  Nolo was moving toward the 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 993 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to Maro Reef including French Frigate Shoals.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Maro Reef to Lisianski Island.

Rachel Intensifies to a Hurricane Southwest of Mexico

Former Tropical Storm Rachel intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday night.

At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Rachel was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 107.6°W which put the center about 220 miles (350 km) southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.   Rachel was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 979 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa, Perula, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Rachel intensified to a hurricane on Tuesday night.  Tall thunderstorms formed near the center of Hurricane Rachel.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Rachel’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Rachel generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Hurricane Rachel.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the eastern side of Rachel’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Hurricane Rachel.

Hurricane Rachel will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Rachel will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Rachel will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Rachel could intensify rapidly at times.  Hurricane Rachel could strengthen to a major hurricane during the next day or so.

Hurricane Rachel will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over northern Mexico.  The high pressure system will Rachel toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Rachel will move parallel to the coast of southwestern Mexico.

Bands in the eastern periphery will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the coast of southwestern Mexico on Wednesday.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, Former Hurricane Nolo weakened to a tropical storm far to the west of Hawaii.

At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Nolo was located at latitude 22.2°N and longitude 164.8°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) southeast of French Frigate Shoals.  Nolo was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 991 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from French Frigate Shoals to Maro Reef.