Former Hurricane Jova weakened to a tropical storm over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Baja California during Friday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Jova was located at latitude 21.5°N and longitude 124.6°W which put it about 945 miles (1520 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California. Jova was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 986 mb.
Former Category 5 Hurricane Jova weakened to a tropical storm over cooler water during Friday night. Even though Jova weakened to a tropical storm, its circulation was well organized. Tropical Storm Jova completed an eyewall replacement cycle as it moved over cooler water. The original inner eye and eyewall dissipated. The outer eyewall surrounded a clear area at the center of Jova’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Tropical Storm Jova. The thunderstorms did not rise as high in the atmosphere because of the cooler water at the surface of ocean. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Jova’s circulation.
Tropical Storm Jova will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Jova will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 24°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Jova will continue to weaken gradually over cooler water, even though there will be little vertical wind shear. Jova could weaken to a tropical depression by the end of the weekend.
Tropical Storm Jova will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Jova toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jova will move farther away from Baja California.