Tag Archives: Hurricane Norma

Hurricane Norma Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Baja California

Hurricane Norma brought wind and rain to the southern part of Baja California on Saturday. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Norma was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 110.3°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) west of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norma was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 977 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Todos Santos to Los Barriles, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Cabo San Lucas. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Todos Santos to Santa Fe, Mexico and from Los Barriles to San Evaristo, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Topolobampo to Mazatlan, Mexico.

Hurricane Norma brought strong winds and locally heavy rain to the southern part of Baja California on Saturday afternoon. A weather station in Cabo San Lucas reported a sustained wind speed of 55 m.p.h. (89 km/h) and a wind gust of 72 m.p.h. (116 km/h). A weather radar in Cabo San Lucas showed heavy rain falling over the southern end of Baja California.

Hurricane Norma weakened as it approached the southern end of Baja California on Saturday. An upper level trough west of Baja California produced southwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Norma’s circulation. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear and the wind shear caused Hurricane Norma to weaken.

The center of Hurricane Norma was just offshore to the west of Cabo San Lucas on Saturday afternoon. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Norma’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 12.7. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 11.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 24.2. Hurricane Norma was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Hanna when Hanna hit south Texas in 2020.

The upper level trough west of Baja California will steer Hurricane Norma toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Norma will move across the southern end of Baja California. Norma will continue to bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to southern Baja California during the next 18 hours. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Norma will weaken to a tropical storm while it moves across the southern end of Baja California. Norma will move across the southern part of the Gulf of California on Sunday. Norma will approach the west coast of Mexico between Topolobampo and Mazatlan on Sunday afternoon. Norma could also drop heavy rains over Sinaloa.

Hurricane Norma Approaches Baja California

Hurricane Norma approached the southern end of Baja California on Friday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Norma was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 109.8°W which put it about 195 miles (310 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norma was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 955 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Todos Santos to Los Barriles, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Cabo San Lucas. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Todos Santos to Santa Fe, Mexico and from Los Barriles to San Evaristo, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Las Islas Marias. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Topolobampo to Bahia Tempehuaya, Mexico.

Hurricane Norma was still a major hurricane as it approached the southern end of Baja California on Friday afternoon. A circular eye with a diameter of 18 miles (30 km) was at the center of Norma’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 Norma. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Hurricane Norma. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) from the center of Norma’s circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.3 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 35.4. Hurricane Norma was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Delta when Delta hit Louisiana in 2020.

Hurricane Norma will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Norma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, an upper level trough west of Baja California will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Norma’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will cause Hurricane Norma will to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Norma will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Norma toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Norma will approach the southern end of Baja California on Saturday morning. Norma will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the southern end of Baja California. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Hurricane Norma could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters along the coast at the southern end of Baja California.

Norma Prompts Hurricane Warning for Baja California

The potential risk posed by Hurricane Norma prompted the issuance of a Hurricane Warning for the southern part of Baja California. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Norma was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 108.1°W which put it about 345 miles (555 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norma 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. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Todos Santos to Los Barriles, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Cabo San Lucas. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Los Islas Marias. Tropical Storm Watches were also in effect for the portions of the coast from Todos Santos to Santa Fe, Mexico and from Los Barriles to La Paz, Mexico.

Hurricane Norma weakened slowly on Thursday evening. An upper level trough west of Baja California was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Norma’s circulation. Those winds were causing the vertical wind shear to increase. The eye at the center of Hurricane Norma was less distinct on satellite images. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Norma’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Hurricane Norma. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Norma’s circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Norma was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.6. Hurricane Norma was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Delta when Delta hit southwest Louisiana in 2020.

Hurricane Norma will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Norma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level trough west of Baja California will continue to produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Norma’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will cause Hurricane Norma will to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Norma will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Norma toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Norma could approach the southern end of Baja California on Friday night. Norma will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the southern end of Baja California. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Norma Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane

Hurricane Norma rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Thursday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Norma was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 107.5°W which put it about 430 miles (690 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norma was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Todos Santos to Los Barriles, Mexico. The Hurricane Watch included Cabo San Lucas.

Hurricane Norma rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Thursday morning. A circular eye with a diameter of 23 miles (37 km) was at the center of Norma’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 Norma. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Hurricane Norma. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of Norma’s circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Norma was 23.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 10.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 34.2. Hurricane Norma was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Dennis when Dennis hit Northwest Florida in 2005.

Hurricane Norma will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Norma 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 Norma could continue to intensify during the next 12 hours. An upper level trough west of Baja California will approach Norma later on Thursday. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Norma’s circulation. Those winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase. Hurricane Norma will start to weaken when the wind shear increases.

Hurricane Norma will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Norma toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Norma could approach the southern end of Baja California on Friday night. Norma will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the southern end of Baja California. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Norma Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Norma rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Norma was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 108.0°W which put it about 520 miles (835 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norma was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Norma rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Wednesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Norma’s circulation and an eye was forming at the center. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Norma. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the eastern side of Norma’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Hurricane Norma.

Hurricane Norma will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Norma 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 Norma will intensify during the next 24 hours. Norma could intensify rapidly to a major hurricane on Thursday.

Hurricane Norma will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Norma toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Norma could approach the southern end of Baja California on Saturday. Norma is likely to be a hurricane when it approaches Baja California.