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Hurricane Lidia Hits Mexico Near Puerto Vallarta

Powerful Hurricane Lidia hit the coast of Mexico near Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday evening. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lidia was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 105.5°W which put it about 35 miles (55 km) south-southwest of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Lidia was moving toward the east-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 140 m.p.h. (220 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 165 m.p.h. (265 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 942 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to El Roblito, Mexico. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Las Islas Marias. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from El Roblito to Mazatlan, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Punta San Telmo, Mexico.

Hurricane Lidia rapidly intensified to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale prior to making landfall on the west coast of Mexico. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Lidia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 28.3. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 9.8 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 38.1. Hurricane Lidia was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Charley when Charley hit Southwest Florida in 2004.

An upper level trough west of Baja California will steer Hurricane Lidia toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lidia will move quickly inland over Jalisco. Lidia will weaken steadily as it moves farther inland. Even though it will weaken, Hurricane Lidia be capable of causing severe damage. Lidia will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain. Regional outages of electricity are likely. Heavy rain will fall in Jalisco and Nayarit. The heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Hurricane Lidia could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along the coast of Jalisco.

Lidia Rapidly Intensifies to a Major Hurricane Southwest of Puerto Vallarta

Hurricane Lidia rapidly intensified to a major hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday afternoon. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lidia was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 107.2°W which put it about 155 miles (255 km) southwest of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Lidia was moving toward the east-northeast at 15 m.p.h. (24 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 959 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to El Roblito, Mexico. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Las Islas Marias. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from El Roblito to Mazatlan, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Punta San Telmo, Mexico.

Hurricane Lidia rapidly intensified to a major hurricane on Tuesday. A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter plane reported a circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was present at the center of Lidia’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 center of Hurricane Lidia. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Lidia increased on Tuesday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Lidia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 125 miles (200 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.1. Hurricane Lidia was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Zeta when Zeta made landfall in Louisiana in 2020.

Hurricane Lidia will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Lidia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is west of Baja California. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lidia’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Hurricane Lidia will intensity during the next few hours. Lidia could continue to intensify rapidly.

The upper level trough west of Baja California will steer Hurricane Lidia toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lidia will make landfall near Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday evening. Lidia will be a major hurricane when it makes landfall. Hurricane Lidia will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain. The strong winds will be capable of causing major damage. Regional outages of electricity are likely. Heavy rain will fall in Jalisco and Nayarit. The heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Hurricane Lidia could cause a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) along the coast of Jalisco.

Hurricane Lidia Approaches West Coast of Mexico

Hurricane Lidia was approaching the west coast of Mexico on Tuesday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Lidia was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 108.3°W which put it about 235 miles (380 km) west-southwest of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Lidia was moving toward the east-northeast at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Escuinapa, Mexico. A Hurricane Warning is also in effect for Las Islas Marias. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Playa Perula, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Escuinapa to Mazatlan, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

Hurricane Lidia was intensifying as it approached the west coast of Mexico on Tuesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Lidia’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring near the center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Lidia. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Lidia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Lidia will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Lidia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough that is west of Baja California. The upper level trough will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Lidia’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Hurricane Lidia will intensity during the next few hours. Lidia could intensify rapidly.

The upper level trough west of Baja California will steer Hurricane Lidia toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Hurricane Lidia will make landfall near Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday evening. Lidia will bring strong, gusty winds and locally heavy rain. The strong winds will be capable of causing serious damage. Outages of electricity are likely. Heavy rain will fall in Jalisco and Nayarit. The heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Hurricane Lidia could cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast of Jalisco.

Tropical Storm Max Brings Wind and Rain to Southern Mexico

Tropical Storm Max brought wind and rain to southern Mexico on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Max was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 101.0°W which put it about 40 miles (65 km) east of Zihuantenajo, Mexico. Max was moving toward the north-northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico.

The center of Tropical Storm Max made landfall on the coast of Mexico between Petatlan and Papanoa on Monday afternoon. The maximum sustained wind speed in Tropical Storm Max at the time of landfall was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Max’s circulation. A weather station at Puerto Vicente Guerrero reported a sustained wind speed of 41 m.p.h. (66 km/h) and a wind gust of 72 m.p.h. (116 km/h).

Tropical Storm Max will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Caribbean Sea and Mexico. The high pressure system will steer max toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Max will move inland over Guerrero during Monday night.

Tropical Storm Max will weaken rapidly when it moves over the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains in Gurrero. Even though Max will weaken rapidly, the tropical storm is likely to drop locally heavy rain in parts of Guerrero. The heaviest rain will fall in places where the winds push the air up the slopes of mountains. The heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lidia was on the threshold of intensifying to a hurricane south of Baja California. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Lidia was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 110.9°W which put it about 340 miles (545 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Lidia was moving toward the east-northeast at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 985 mb.

Tropical Storm Lidia is forecast to intensify to a hurricane as it moves toward the west coast of Mexico on Monday night. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Escuinapa, Mexico. A Hurricane Warning is also in effect for Las Islas Marias. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Escuinapa to Bahia Tempehuaya, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Max Approaches Mexico

Tropical Storm Max was approaching the coast of Mexico near Zihuatanejo on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Max was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 101.2°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south-southeast of Zihuantenajo, Mexico. Max was moving toward the north-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Punta San Telmo, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Max intensified as it neared the coast of southwest Mexico near Zihuatanejo on Monday morning. A rainband wrapped around the southern part of the center of Max’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Max. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of Max’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Max will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Caribbean Sea and Mexico. The high pressure system will steer max toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Max will make landfall on the coast of Mexico near Zihuatenajo in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Max will move through an environment favorable for intensification until it makes landfall. Max will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that extends from Mexico to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Max’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Max could intensify a little more before it makes landfall in Mexico.

Tropical Storm Max will bring gusty winds to the coast of southwest Mexico. Max will also drop heavy rain of parts of Guerrero and Michoacan. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Storm Max could cause a storm surge of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) along the coast near Zihuatanejo.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lidia started to move northeast toward the west coast of Mexico. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Lidia was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 111.8°W which put it about 350 miles (525 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Lidia was moving toward the northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 992 mb.

Tropical Storm Lidia is forecast to intensify to a hurricane as it moves toward the west coast of Mexico. A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Escuinapa, Mexico. A Hurricane Warning is also in effect for Las Islas Marias. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Escuinapa to Bahia Tempehuaya, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Max Forms Near Southwest Mexico

Tropical Storm Max formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean near the coast of southwest Mexico on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Max was located at latitude 16.3°N and longitude 101.9°W which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Zihuantenajo, Mexico. Max was moving toward the north-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 1001 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Punta San Telmo, Mexico.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean near the southwest coast of Mexico strengthened during Sunday evening and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Max. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Max on Sunday evening. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Max’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Wind to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Max.

Tropical Storm Max will move around the western side of a high pressure system over the Caribbean Sea and Mexico. The high pressure system will steer max toward the north during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Max will make landfall on the coast of Mexico west of Zihuatenajo on Monday evening.

Tropical Storm Max will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours. Max will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that extends from Mexico to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Max’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Max is likely to intensify before it makes landfall in Mexico.

Tropical Storm Max will bring gusty winds to the coast of southwest Mexico. Max will also drop heavy rain of parts of Guerrero and Michoacan. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lidia continued to meander south of Baja California. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Lidia was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 112.6°W which put it about 370 miles (595 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Lidia was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 990 mb.

Tropical Storm Lidia is forecast to start to move toward the northeast on Monday and to strengthen to a hurricane. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Las Islas Marias and the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Mazatlan, Mexico. Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for the portions of the coast from Manzanillo to Playa Perula and from Bahia Tempehuaya to Mazatlan, Mexico.

Hilary Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Hilary rapidly intensified to a hurricane over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Thursday morning. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the southern part of Baja California. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Hilary was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 107.1°W which put it about 320 miles (515 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Hilary was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 982 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast of Baja California from Cabo San Lazaro to San Evaristo, Mexico. The Tropical Storm Watch included Cabo San Lucas.

Former Tropical Storm Hilary rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Thursday morning. An eye was visible on satellite images at the center of Hurricane Hilary. 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 Hilary. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Hilary was large. Winds to hurricane force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hilary’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 275 miles (445 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Hilary will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hilary will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Hilary will intensify during the next 24 hours. Hilary could intensify rapidly at times. Hurricane Hilary is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane on Friday.

Hurricane Hilary will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Hilary toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Hurricane Hilary will move toward Baja California. Hilary will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system during the weekend. Hurricane Hilary will start to affect Baja California during the weekend.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Greg was passing south of Hawaii and Tropical Storm Fernanda continued to weaken. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Greg was located at latitude 12.1°N and longitude 154.5°W which put it about 675 miles (1085 km) south-southeast of Honolulu, Hawaii. Greg was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Fernanda was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 130.8°W which put it about 1425 miles (2290 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Fernanda was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Hilary Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Hilary formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Wednesday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Hilary was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 102.6°W which put it about 470 miles (755 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Hilary was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1002 mb.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Wednesday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Hilary. The circulation around Tropical Storm Hilary was organizing quickly. Multiple bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hilary’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 200 miles (325 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Hilary. Winds in the other parts of Hilary’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Hilary will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Hilary will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Hilary will intensify during the next 24 hours. Hilary could intensify rapidly at times. Tropical Storm Hilary is likely to strengthen to a hurricane on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Hilary will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Hilary toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Hilary will move parallel to the west coast of Mexico. Hilary will move more toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system during the weekend. Hilary could be near Baja California by Sunday.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Greg was spinning southeast of Hawaii and former Hurricane Fernanda weakened to a tropical storm. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Greg was located at latitude 11.8°N and longitude 151.1°W which put it about 605 miles (975 km) south-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Greg was moving toward the west 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.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Fernanda was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 126.8°W which put it about 1165 miles (1875 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Fernanda was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 994 mb.

Dora Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Dora rapidly intensified to a 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 Dora was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 111.5°W which put it about 510 miles (825 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dora was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 994 mb.

A microwave satellite image showed that the inner end of a rainband had wrapped around the center of Hurricane Dora on Tuesday evening. A very small eye was at the center of Dora on the microwave image. The eye was surrounded by a tight ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the small core of Hurricane Dora. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The circulation around Hurricane Dora was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Dora’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Dora will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Dora will intensify during the next 36 hours. Since the circulation around Dora is so small, any changes in the environment will have large effects on the rate of intensification. Dora could continue to intensify rapidly as long as it remains in a favorable environment. Hurricane Dora is could strengthen to a major hurricane by Thursday.

Hurricane Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west-southwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Dora will move farther away from Mexico. Dora could move over the Central Pacific Ocean by the end of the upcoming weekend.

Tropical Storm Dora Forms Southwest of Mexico

Tropical Storm Dora formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Tuesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Dora was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 107.1°W which put it about 275 miles (445 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Dora was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 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 1006 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Dora was organizing quickly on Tuesday morning. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of Dora’s circulation. An eye appeared to be forming at the center of Tropical Storm Dora. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the developing inner core of Dora. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Dora.

Tropical Storm Dora will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Dora will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the center of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific. The upper level winds are weak near the center of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Dora will intensify during the next 36 hours. Dora could intensify rapidly at times, especially after the inner core with an eye and eyewall fully form. Tropical Storm Dora is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Dora will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Dora toward the west during the next few days. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dora will move farther away from Mexico.