Tag Archives: New Mexico

Tropical Storm Franklin Drops Heavy Rain on Hispaniola

Tropical Storm Franklin was dropping heavy rain over Hispaniola on Wednesday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 71.2°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) south of Barahona, Dominican Republic. Franklin was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 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.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the Turks and Caicos.

Tropical Storm Franklin was dropping heavy rain over parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday morning. The center of Franklin made landfall on the south coast of the Dominican Republic south of Barahona. The heaviest rain was falling in bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Franklin. Those bands were dropping heavy rain over the Dominican Republic. Those rainbands were also producing the strongest winds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Franklin. The winds in the western side of Franklin’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Franklin will move northward across Hispaniola during the rest of Wednesday. The mountains in Hispaniola will disrupt the lower part of Franklin’s circulation. The low level circulation around Tropical Storm Franklin could be very weak by the time it moves north of Hispaniola on Tuesday night. However, the middle and upper parts of Franklin’s circulation will pass above the mountains. The middle and upper parts of the circulation are likely to be relatively intact when they move over the Atlantic Ocean. Downdrafts could transport rotation back toward the surface, and Tropical Storm Franklin is forecast to start to reorganize north of Hispaniola later this week.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Harold was dropping rain over parts of West Texas and southern New Mexico. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Harold was located at latitude 28.6°N and longitude 102.1°W which put it about 235 miles (380 km) south of Midland, Texas. Harold was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Tropical Storm Sergio Brings Rain to Baja California

Tropical Storm Sergio brought rain to Baja California on Friday morning.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Sergio was located at latitude 26.8°N and longitude 112.8°W which put it about 45 miles (75 km) southwest of Santa Rosalia, Mexico.  Sergio was moving toward the northeast at 24 m.p.h. (39 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 998 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the west coast of Baja California from Punta Eugenia to Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the east coast of Baja California from Bahia San Juan Bautista to Mulege, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Sergio was weakening as it approached Baja California.  An upper level trough was producing strong southwesterly winds which were blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Sergio.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and they were in the process of blowing the middle and upper portions of the circulation northeast of the surface circulation.  A combination of strong vertical wind shear and passage over mountains on Baja California will case Tropical Storm Sergio to weaken quickly.

Tropical Storm Sergio will drop locally heavy rain over parts of Baja California and northern Mexico.  The greatest risk from Sergio is the potential for the locally heavy rain to cause flash floods.  The remnants of Tropical Storm Sergio could enhance rainfall in southeastern New Mexico, West Texas, and Oklahoma during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Sergio Cause Warnings for Baja California

Tropical Storm Sergio prompted the issuance of warnings and watches for parts of Baja California on Wednesday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Sergio was located at latitude 20.0°N and longitude 121.5°W which put it about 770 miles (1240 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Sergio was moving toward the northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 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.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Eugenia to Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bahia San Juan Bautista to San Evaristo, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Sergio weakened slightly on Wednesday, but the structure of the circulation remained well organized.  A large clear area at the center of circulation was the remnant of the eye that existed when Sergio was a hurricane.  The remnant of the eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Several thin bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Sergio.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Sergio.

Tropical Storm Sergio will move over cooler water on Thursday.  An upper level trough west of California will produce southwesterly winds which will blow toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The combination of cooler water and more wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Sergio to weaken slowly.

The upper level trough will steer Tropical Storm Sergio toward the northeast during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Sergio will reach Baja California on Thursday night.  Sergio will bring gusty winds, but locally heavy rain is a greater risk because heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Hurricane Sergio Turns Back Toward Baja California

Hurricane Sergio turned back toward Baja California on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Sergio was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 127.4°W which put it about 1215 miles (1960 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Sergio was moving toward the northeast at 7 m.p.h. (11 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. (155 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

Hurricane Sergio was slowly weakening.  It appeared that cooler, drier air was entering the western half of the circulation.  Sergio has been moving slowly and its winds may have mixed some cooler water to the surface of the ocean.  Rainbands on the western side of Sergio consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds and thunderstorms in western side of the eyewall were weakening.  Stronger thunderstorms were still occurring in the eastern side of the eyewall and that was where the strongest winds were occurring.  Some strong storms were also occurring in a band southeast of the center of circulation.

Hurricane Sergio will move through an environment that will cause it to continue to weaken slowly.  Sergio is currently over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 27°C, but it will move over cooler water in a day or so.  An upper level trough centered west of California will produce southwesterly winds which will cause more vertical wind shear.  The combination of cooler water and more wind shear will cause Hurricane Sergio to weaken to a tropical storm within the next 24 to 36 hours.

The upper level trough will steer Hurricane Sergio toward the northeast during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Sergio could approach central Baja California on Thursday night.  It will likely be a tropical storm at that time.  Tropical Storm Watches could be issued for parts of the coast later today or on Wednesday.  Sergio will bring gusty winds and it will drop locally heavy rain.  The rain could cause flash flooding.  Sergio could also bring some rain to New Mexico and west Texas during the weekend.

Tropical Storm Rosa Nears Baja California

Tropical Storm Rosa moved nearer to Baja California on Monday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Rosa was located at latitude 27.5°N and longitude 116.5°W which put it about 90 miles (145 km) west-southwest of Punta Eugenia, Mexico.  Rosa was moving toward the north-northeast at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to Cabo San Quintin, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bahia de los Angeles to San Felipe, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Rosa was weakening as it approached the coast of Baja California.  Rosa was moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 23°C.  An upper level low west of California was producing southwesterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing significant vertical wind shear.  The effects of cool water and vertical shear were causing most of the stronger thunderstorms to occur northeast of the center of circulation.  Bands south and west of the center consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

The center of Tropical Storm Rosa will reach northern Baja California in a few hours.  Rosa will bring some gusty winds when when it reaches the coast, but the greater risk is locally heavy rainfall.  Rosa could drop several inches of rain and flash floods could occur.  The lower level part of Rosa’s circulation will weaken when it crosses Baja California.  However, the upper low west of California will steer the middle and upper parts of Tropical Storm Rosa over the Southwestern U.S.  Rosa, or its remnants, could drop locally heavy rain over that region during the next several days.  Flash Flood Watches have been issued for southeastern California, eastern Nevada, western Arizona, and much of Utah.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific, Tropical Storm Sergio was strengthening slowly south of Baja California.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Sergio was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 109.5°W which put it about 790 miles (1275 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.  Sergio was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 995 mb.

Hurricane Rosa Moves Toward Baja California

Hurricane Rosa moved toward Baja California on Saturday night.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Rosa was located at latitude 22.4°N and longitude 118.9°W which put it about 440 miles (710 km) south-southwest of Punta Eugenia, Mexico.  Rosa was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 969 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to Cabo San Quintin, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bahia de los Angeles to San Felipe, Mexico.

Hurricane Rosa will move into an environment unfavorable for hurricanes on Sunday.  Rosa will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is cooler than 26°C.  In addition an upper level low near the west coast of the U.S. will produce southwesterly winds which will cause vertical wind shear.  The combination of cooler water and more vertical wind shear will cause Hurricane Rosa to weaken.  Rosa could weaken to a tropical storm by Sunday night.

The upper low will steer Hurricane Rosa toward the northeast during the next several days.  On its anticipated track Rosa could reach Baja California on Monday.  It will likely be a tropical storm at that time.  Even though it will weaken, Rosa will drop heavy rain over parts northern Baja California and the southwestern U.S.  The heavy rain could cause flash floods.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean Tropical Storm Sergio formed southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Sergio was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 103.3°W which put it about 390 miles (630 km) southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.  Sergio was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1003 mb.

Hurricane Bud Weakens, Watch Issued for Baja California

Hurricane Bud weakened significantly on Tuesday, but it prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Watch for the southern portion of Baja California.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Bud was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 108.6°W which put it about 300 miles (485 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Bud was moving toward the north-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (150 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (170 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.  The government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the portion of the coast from Santa Fe to La Paz, Mexico including Cabo San Lucas.

Hurricane Bud weakened to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday.  The center of Hurricane Bud was over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 27°C, but much of the northern half of the circulation was over cooler water.  The slow movement of Bud may have also allowed the winds to mix cooler water to the surface.  Thunderstorms were not as tall and the bands in the northern half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and low clouds.  The stronger thunderstorms were occurring mainly south and east of the center of Hurricane Bud.

Hurricane Bud is forecast to spin down slowly during the next several days.  Cooler water at the surface of the ocean is not likely to supply sufficient energy to maintain the circulation.  The upper level winds are weak and there is little vertical wind shear, but the lack of shear will be less important than effects of the cooler water.  The lack of stronger thunderstorms in the northern half of the circulation will limit the downdrafts that could transport stronger winds to the surface.  Hurricane Bud could weaken to a tropical storm on Wednesday if new thunderstorms do not form in the core of the circulation.

A ridge in the middle troposphere over the southwestern U.S. almost blocked the forward motion of Hurricane Bud on Tuesday.  Bud moved slowly toward the north-northwest.  A slow motion toward the north-northwest is forecast to continue for another 24 to 36 hours.  After that time a trough over the Pacific Ocean is forecast to push the ridge eastward.  When the trough approaches, stronger southerly winds will steer Bud northward more quickly.  On its anticipated track Bud is forecast to approach the southern tip of Baja California in 36 to 48 hours.

Hurricane Bud is likely to be a tropical storm when it nears Baja California.  Bud will bring gusty winds, but the bigger risk will be locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain falling on steep terrain could cause flash floods.  Bud or its remnants could also bring rain to parts of the southwestern U.S.

Tropical Storm Pilar Forms Near Mexico

Tropical Storm Pilar formed just west of Mexico on Saturday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Pilar was located at latitude 18.7°N and longitude 105.3°W which put it about 120 miles (195 km) south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.  Pilar was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1003 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to El Roblito including the Islas Marias.

A distinct center of circulation developed within a larger area of low pressure near the west coast of Mexico on Saturday and the system was classified as Tropical Storm Pilar.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms began to form around the center.  Storms near the center started to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away to the west of Tropical Storm Pilar.

Tropical Storm Pilar will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification on Sunday.  Pilar will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.   An upper level high over Mexico is producing easterly winds which are blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds are producing some vertical wind shear, but the shear was not strong enough to prevent the formation of Tropical Storm Pilar.  The eastern part of the circulation will be moving over western Mexico and increased friction will be the primary factor inhibiting strengthening.  Tropical Storm Pilar is likely to intensify on Sunday.

A ridge in the middle levels of the atmosphere over Mexico is steering Tropical Storm Pilar slowly toward the north.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Pilar will be very near Cabo Corrientes on Sunday night.  The center could move inland or it could remain just west of the coast.  Tropical Storm Pilar will drop very heavy rain over parts of the states of Colima and Jalisco.  The heavy rain could cause flash flooding in some locations.

Tropical Storm Lidia Weakens, Still Raining on Baja California

Tropical Storm Lidia has weakened but it is producing rain over Baja California.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Lidia was located at latitude 28.3°N and longitude 114.6°W which put it about 40 miles (65 km) northeast of Punta Eugenia, Mexico.  Lidia was moving toward the 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 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta Abreojos to San Jose de Las Palomas, from Mulege to Isla San Luis and from Guaymas to Puerto Libertad, Mexico.

Tropical Storm Lidia weakened during the past 24 hours as it slowly moved northwest over Baja California.  There are some indications that the upper portion of the circulation may have decoupled from the lower half of Tropical Storm Lidia.  The upper portion of the circulation appears to be over the Gulf of California.  There are stronger thunderstorms over the Gulf of California because the Sea Surface Temperature is near 32°C in that body of water.  Those thunderstorms are producing heavy rain over parts of the eastern side of Baja California and the western part of Mexico adjacent to the Gulf of California.  The lower level center appears to be located northeast of Punta Eugenia over the Pacific Ocean just west of Baja California.  There are showers and thunderstorms near the low level center and they are dropping heavy rain in that area.  The potential for flash floods still exists in the areas where heavy rain is falling.

The low level center of Tropical Storm Lidia is forecast to continue to move toward the northwest.  Lidia will continue to weaken because the low level center is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 23°C.  It will take several more days for the low level center to spin down and it could still produce locally heavy rain over the northern part of Baja California during that time.  The upper level portion of the circulation will likely be absorbed by the larger scale environmental flow in those levels.  Some clouds and moisture in the upper levels could flow over the southwestern U.S.

Hurricane Newton Brings Wind and Heavy Rain to Baja California

Hurricane Newton is bringing wind and heavy rain as it moves over southern Baja California.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Newton was located at latitude 24.7°N and longitude 111.4°W which put it about 75 miles (120 km) west-northwest of La Paz, Mexico.  Newton was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 986 mb.

There are Hurricane Warnings in effect for the portions of the coast from Cabo San Lazaro to Todos Santos, from Los Barriles to Mulege and from Guaymas to Bahia Kino.  Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for the portions of the coast from Cabo San Lazaro to Punta Abreojos, from Mulege to Bahia San Juan Bautista, from Bahia Tempehuaya to Guaymas and from Bahia Kino to Puerto Libertad.  A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast form Bahia Kino to Puerto Libertad.

Hurricane Newton made landfall on the southern tip of Baja California on Tuesday morning.  It moved along the western coast of the peninsula and the center passed to the west of La Paz, Mexico.  Newton is now moving north across Baja California near Ciudad Constitucion.  Newton is generating winds to hurricane force.  Areas of heavier rain are occurring near La Paz and Mulege.  Very heavy rain is falling where the wind is pushing air up the slopes of mountains and there is a substantial risk of flash flooding in those areas.

The structure of Hurricane Newton is beginning to deteriorate as it interacts with the mountains on Baja California.  The circulation is starting to tilt toward the north as the low level circulation is partially blocked by west coast of Baja while the middle and upper portions of the circulation continue to move north.  The strongest thunderstorms are occurring south of the center of circulation.  Additional strong thunderstorms are occurring rain bands north of the center over the Gulf of California.

Hurricane Newton will weaken as long as the center of circulation is moving over the mountains in southern Baja California.  It is possible that the middle and upper parts of the circulation could temporarily become detached from the existing low level center.  A new low level center could form under the middle and upper parts of the circulation when they emerge over the Gulf of California.  The Sea Surface Temperature in the Gulf of California is 32°C, but Newton will only be over the water for a few hours.  So, the potential for significant re-intensification is slight.

Hurricane Newton is moving around the western end of a ridge of high pressure.  The ridge is steering Newton toward the north.  That general motion is expected to continue for the next few hours and then Hurricane Newton could turn more toward the north-northeast.  On its anticipated track Hurricane Newton will emerge over the Gulf of California near Loreto in about 12 hours.  Newton will make a landfall on the west coast of Mexico in about 18 hours.

Hurricane Newton will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the southern part of Baja California for the rest of Tuesday.  It will also produce heavy rain over portions of western Mexico on Wednesday.  Flash flooding will continue to be a risk in areas of steep terrain.  The remnants of Hurricane Newton could transport moist air over southeastern Arizona and western New Mexico.