Tag Archives: Flossie

Hurricane Flossie Weakens Rapidly

Hurricane Flossie weakened rapidly on Wednesday evening as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 19.8°N and longitude 110.2°W which put the center about 215 miles (345 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Flossie was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 986 mb.

Hurricane Flossie was weakening rapidly on Wednesday evening as it moved over cooler water south of Baja California.  Many of the thunderstorms in Flossie’s circulation were dissipating,  The bands revolving around the center of Hurricane Flossie consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  The dissipation of the thunderstorms in Flossie greatly reduced the upper level divergence.  Much less mass was being pumped away from Hurricane Flossie.  The continued convergence of mass in the lower levels of Flossie’s circulation caused the surface pressure to increase quickly.

The circulation around Hurricane Flossie was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.

Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 23°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the adjacent part of 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.  Even though there will be little vertical wind shear, the cooler water south of Baja California will cause Hurricane Flossie to continue to weaken on Thursday.

Hurricane Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Flossie will remain south of Baja California.

Flossie Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Flossie intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 107.4°W which put the center about 365 miles (585 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.   Flossie was moving toward the west-northwest 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 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h).   The minimum surface pressure was 962 mb.

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

Hurricane Flossie continued to intensify on Tuesday evening.  A circular eye was at the center of Flossie’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 Hurricane Flossie.  Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Flossie was relatively small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Flossie is 20.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 8.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 28.9.  Hurricane Flossie is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the adjacent part of 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 Flossie could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours.  Flossie will move over cooler water later in Wednesday.  Hurricane Flossie will start to weaken when it moves over cooler water.

Hurricane Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Flossie will start to move farther away from the coast of southwestern Mexico.  Flossie will move south of Baja California on Wednesday night.

Bands in the northeastern side of Hurricane Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southwestern Mexico.  The heaviest rain will fall in parts of Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Flossie Strengthens to Cat. 2

Hurricane Flossie strengthened to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 17.4°N and longitude 105.9°W which put the center about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Flossie was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 974 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.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Hurricane Flossie on Tuesday morning.  A circular eye was visible at the center of Flossie’s circulation on satellite images.  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 Hurricane Flossie.  Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The area of hurricane force winds speeds in Hurricane Flossie increased on Tuesday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.

Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the adjacent part of 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 Flossie will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Flossie could intensify rapidly at times.  Hurricane Flossie is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Wednesday.

Hurricane Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Flossie will move parallel to the coast of southwestern Mexico.  Flossie is likely to move south of Baja California on Wednesday night.

Bands in the northeastern side of Hurricane Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southwestern Mexico.  The heaviest rain will fall in parts of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Flossie Intensifies to a Hurricane South of Mexico

Former Tropical Storm Flossie intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Monday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Flossie was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 104.3°W which put the center about 175 miles (280 km) south of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Flossie was moving toward the west-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 988 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.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Flossie intensified steadily on Monday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded Flossie to a hurricane on Monday night.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of Hurricane Flossie.  An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Flossie’s circulation.  The strongest winds were occurring in the inner end of the rainband that wrapped around the center of Hurricane Flossie.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane in all directions. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The distribution of winds speeds in Hurricane Flossie became more symmetrical on Monday.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Flossie’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Hurricane Flossie.

Hurricane Flossie will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Flossie will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the adjacent part of 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 Flossie will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Flossie could intensify rapidly at times.  Hurricane Flossie could strengthen to a major hurricane.

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

Bands in the northern side of Hurricane Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southwestern Mexico.   The heaviest rain will fall in parts of Guerrero, Michoacan, Colima, and Jalisco.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Flossie

Former Tropical Depression Six-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Flossie over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Sunday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Flossie was located at latitude 13.4°N and longitude 99.9°W which put the center about 240 miles (390 km) south of Acapulco, Mexico.   Flossie was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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.

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

Former Tropical Depression Six-E continued to strengthen on Sunday.  The U.S. National Hurricane Center upgraded former Tropical Depression Six-E to Tropical Storm Flossie.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Flossie continue to get more organized on Sunday.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Flossie’s circulation.  More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Flossie.  Storms near the center of Flossie generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

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

Tropical Storm Flossie will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over southern Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the Flossie toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Flossie will move a little closer to the coast of southern Mexico.

Bands in the northern side of Tropical Storm Flossie will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of the coast of southern Mexico.  Heavy rains could cause flash floods in some locations.

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.