Tropical Storm Henriette formed southwest of Baja California on Monday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Henriette was located at latitude 19.7°N and longitude 112.2°W which put it about 265 miles (430 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Henriette 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 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

The distribution of thunderstorms around Tropical Storm Henriette was highly asymmetrical.  Most of the thunderstorms were occurring southwest of the center of circulation.  Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Tropical Storm Henriette was south of a narrow upper level ridge.  The ridge was producing northeasterly winds which were blowing across the top of Henriette.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were the cause of the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Henriette will be moving through a region that will be mostly unfavorable for intensification.  Henriette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28.5°C.  So, there will be sufficient energy in the upper ocean to support intensification.  However, the upper level ridge will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear which will prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Henriette is likely to weaken in a day or two when it moves over colder water.

Tropical Storm Henriette will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The ridge will steer Henriette toward the west-northwest during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Henriette will move farther away from Baja California.