Tag Archives: Gulf of Tehuantepec

Tropical Depression Likely to Form South of Gulf of Tehuantepec

A tropical depression is likely to form over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. A broad area of low pressure was located south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on Wednesday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of the broad area of low pressure was located at latitude 12.0°N and longitude 96.0°W which put it about 270 miles (435 km) south of Puerto Angel, Mexico. The broad area of low pressure was moving toward the north at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

A broad area of low pressure over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec was visible on early morning satellite images. Thunderstorms were forming in bands in the eastern and southern parts of the low pressure system. The thunderstorms were beginning to generate upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the system. The strongest winds were occurring in the bands of thunderstorms.

The broad area of low pressure will be in an area favorable for the development of a tropical depression during the next several days. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will be in an area where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.. The circulation around the low pressure system is likely to organize gradually and a tropical depression is likely to form later this week. After a tropical depression forms, it could move north toward Mexico and strengthen.