Tag Archives: Tecpan de Galeana

Hurricane Polo Intensifies Back to Cat. 5

Hurricane Polo intensified back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved south of Mexico on Wednesday evening.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Polo was located at latitude 16.0°N and longitude 104.2°W which put the center about 240 miles (390 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Polo was moving toward the northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 923 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan de Galeana to Manzanillo, Mexico

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

Hurricane Polo intensified back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale after an eyewall replacement cycle was completed on Wednesday.  A new circular eye with a diameter of 25 miles (40 km) was at the center of Polo’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 Polo.  Storms near the center of Polo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels caused the surface pressure to start to decrease again.

The circulation around Hurricane Polo was very symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Polo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Hurricane Polo.

The Hurricane Intensify Index (HII) for Hurricane Polo is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 14.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 49.6.  Hurricane Polo is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Andrew when Andrew hit South Florida in 1992.

Hurricane Polo will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Polo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Polo could continue to intensify until another eyewall replacement cycle begins.

Hurricane Polo will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Polo toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Polo will move closer to the coast of southwest Mexico.  The strongest part of Hurricane Polo is forecast to pass west of the coast of Mexico.

Even though the strongest part of Hurricane Polo is forecast to pass west of the coast of Mexico, bands in the northern side of Polo will bring strong winds and heavy rains to the coast of southwestern Mexico.  Strong winds and heavy rain could affect parts of Colima, Michoacan, and western Guerrero.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Odalys continued to intensify gradually far to the southwest of Baja California.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Odalys was located at latitude 15.6°N and longitude 127.7°W which put the center about 1205 miles (1940 km) west-southwest of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Odalys was moving toward the east at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 978 mb.

Hurricane Polo Stalls South of Mexico

Hurricane Polo stalled south of Mexico on Tuesday night.

At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Polo was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 101.4°W which put the center about 320 miles (515 km) southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Polo was moving toward the north at 2 m.p.h. (3 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 150 m.p.h. (240 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 175 m.p.h. (280 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 922 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan de Galeana to Punta San Telmo, Mexico

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall in Hurricane Polo.  An outer eyewall surrounded the inner eye and eyewall.  The formation of concentric eyewalls marked the start of an eyewall replacement cycle.  The eyewall replacement cycle caused the maximum sustained wind speed in Hurricane Polo to decrease as the inner eyewall started to weaken.

Two concentric eyewalls were still present in Hurricane Polo on Wednesday morning.  The inner eye had a diameter of 17 miles (28 km).  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the concentric eyewalls.  Storms near the center of Polo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was less than the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure increased on Tuesday night.

Even though Hurricane Polo was in the middle of an eyewall replacement cycle, the size of circulation around Polo only got a little larger.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Polo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Hurricane Polo.

The Hurricane Intensify Index (HII) for Hurricane Polo is 31.6.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 14.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 46.1. Hurricane Polo is similar in intensity to Hurricane Laura when Laura hit Southwest Louisiana in 2020.  Polo is not as large as Laura was.

Hurricane Polo will move through an environment that will be very favorable for a powerful hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Polo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Polo could weaken a little more while the eyewall replacement cycle is underway.  Polo could strengthen back to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale once the inner eyewall dissipates completely.

A high pressure system is forecast to develop over Mexico later today.  The high pressure system will steer Hurricane Polo toward the northwest after it develops.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Polo will move closer to the coast of southwest Mexico.  The strongest part of Hurricane Polo is forecast to pass west of the coast of Mexico.

Even though the strongest part of Hurricane Polo is forecast to pass west of the coast of Mexico, bands in the northern side of Polo will bring strong winds and heavy rains to the coast of southwestern Mexico.  Strong winds and heavy rain could affect parts of Colima, Michoacan, and western Guerrero.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, former Tropical Storm Odalys strengthened to a hurricane far to the southwest of Baja California. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Odalys was located at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 128.4°W which put the center about 1295 miles (2085 km) west-southwest of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Odalys was moving toward the east-northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 989 mb.

NOAA Plane Finds 180 mph Wind in Hurricane Polo

A NOAA Hurricane Hunter plane found a maximum sustained wind speed of 180 m.p.h. in Hurricane Polo on Tuesday afternoon.  The plane also found a minimum surface pressure of 892 mb.

At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Polo was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 101.6°W which put the center about 350 miles (565 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Polo was nearly stationary.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 180 m.p.h. (290 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 215 m.p.h. (345 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 892 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan de Galeana to Punta San Telmo, Mexico

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Playa Perula, Mexico.

A small circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Hurricane Polo.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Polo.  Storms near the center of Polo generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Hurricane Polo was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Polo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Polo.

The Hurricane Intensify Index (HII) for Hurricane Polo is 42.2. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 12.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 54.7.  Hurricane Polo is similar in size to Hurricane Patricia when Patricia hit Mexico in 2015.  Hurricane Polo is not quite as strong as Patricia was.

Hurricane Polo will move through an environment that will be very favorable for a powerful hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Polo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Polo could intensify during the next few hours.  At some point the inner end of a rainband is likely to wrap around the existing eye and eyewall.  An eyewall replacement cycle would cause Polo to weaken, at least temporarily.

A strong high pressure system is forecast to develop over Mexico later on Tuesday.  The high pressure system will steer Hurricane Polo toward the northwest after it develops.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Polo will move closer to the coast of southwest Mexico.  The strongest part of Hurricane Polo is forecast to pass west of the coast of Mexico as of the most recent forecasts.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Odalys strengthened far to the southwest of Baja California.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Odalys was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 130.5°W which put the center about 1455 miles (2340 km) west-southwest of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Odalys was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 998 mb.

Hurricane Polo Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Polo rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale early on Tuesday as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Hurricane Polo was located at latitude 14.5°N and longitude 101.5°W which put the center about 360 miles (580 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Polo was moving toward the east at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (305 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 926 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan de Galeana to Manzanillo, Mexico.

Hurricane Polo rapidly intensified to a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Tuesday morning.    A small circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Polo’ circulation.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Hurricane Polo.  Storms near the center of Polo generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The circulation around Hurricane Polo was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Polo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Polo.

The Hurricane Intensify Index (HII) for Hurricane Polo is 35.0.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) is 12.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) is 47.5.  Hurricane Polo is similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Andrew when Andrew hit south Florida in 1992.

Hurricane Polo will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Polo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Polo is likely to continue to intensify during the next few hours.  At some point the inner end of a rainband is likely to wrap around the existing eye and eyewall.  An eyewall replacement cycle would cause Polo to weaken, at least temporarily.

Hurricane Polo will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Polo slowly toward the east during the next few hours.  A bigger and strong high pressure system is forecast to develop over Mexico later on Tuesday. The bigger and strong high pressure system will steer Hurricane Polo toward the northwest after it develops.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Polo will move closer to the coast of southwest Mexico.  The strongest part of Hurricane Polo is forecast to pass west of the coast of Mexico as of the most recent forecasts.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Odalys strengthened far to the southwest of Baja California.  At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Odalys was located at latitude 14.7°N and longitude 130.4°W which put the center about 1455 miles (2340 km) west-southwest of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Odalys was moving toward the north-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 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 998 mb.

Polo Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane

Former Tropical Storm Polo rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Monday as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Polo was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 103.0°W which put the center about 270 miles (435 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Polo was moving toward the east at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan de Galeana to Punta San Telmo, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Polo rapidly intensified to a hurricane on Monday.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Polo’s circulation.  A small circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) formed at the center of Hurricane Polo.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Polo’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Polo generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Hurricane Polo was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Polo’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Hurricane Polo.

Hurricane Polo will move through an environment that will be very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Polo will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico.  The upper level winds are weak in the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Polo is likely to intensify rapidly to a major hurricane during the next 24 hours.  Polo could strengthen to a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale later this week.

Hurricane Polo will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over the equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Polo slowly toward the east during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Polo will move a little closer to the coast of southwest Mexico.  A bigger and strong high pressure system is forecast to develop over Mexico on Tuesday.  The bigger and strong high pressure system will steer Hurricane Polo toward the northwest during the middle of this week.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Odalys continued to spin far to the southwest of Baja California.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Odalys was located at latitude 13.9°N and longitude 129.3°W which put the center about 1415 miles (2275 km) west-southwest of the the southern tip of Baja California.  Odalys was moving toward the northwest 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 1003 mb.

Tropical Storm Cristina Forms West of Nicaragua

Tropical Storm Cristina formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Nicaragua on Monday afternoon.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Cristina was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 87.7°W which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) west-southwest of Managua, Nicaragua.  Cristina was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 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 1002 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua to the border with Honduras.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Pacific coast of Honduras.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the entire coast of El Salvador.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean west of Nicaragua strengthened on Monday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Cristina.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Cristina was asymmetrical because of vertical wind shear.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Cristina’s circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Tropical Storm Cristina consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Cristina generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Cristina was relatively small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Cristina’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Cristina will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Cristina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the western side of an upper level low that is over the Southwestern Caribbean Sea.  The upper level low will produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Cristina’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Cristina could intensify slowly during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Cristina will move around the western part of a high pressure system that is over the Northwestern Caribbean Sea.  The high pressure system will steer Cristina toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Cristina will move toward the coast of Honduras and El Salvador.

Tropical Storm Cristina will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain the coast of northwestern Nicaragua, the Pacific coast of Honduras, and the coast of El Salvador.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Boris strengthened a little south of Mexico.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Boris was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 99.2°W which put the center about 120 miles (195 km) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico.   Boris was moving toward the east-northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 1001 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Laguna de Chacahua to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes Acapulco.

Tropical Storm Boris will bring strong winds and very heavy rain to parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Boris

Former Tropical Depression Two-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Boris over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southeast of Acapulco, Mexico early on Monday.  At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Boris was located at latitude 15.9°N and longitude 99.2°W which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) southeast of Acapulco, Mexico.   Boris was moving toward the northeast at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Laguna de Chacahua to Tecpan de Galeana.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes Acapulco.

Former Tropical Depression Two-E strengthened early on Monday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Boris.

More thunderstorms formed near the center of Tropical Storm Boris on Sunday night.  More thunderstorms were also developing in bands revolving around the center of Boris’ circulation.  Storms near the center of Boris generated upper level divergence that was pumping mass away to the west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly,

Although the circulation around Tropical Storm Boris was large, the strongest winds were occurring close to the center of circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles (55 km) from the center of Boris’ circulation.

Tropical Storm Boris will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Boris will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Boris’ circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Boris could intensify during the next few hours.

Tropical Storm Boris around the southwestern side of a high pressure system that is over southeastern Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Boris toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Boris will make landfall on the coast of Mexico near Acapulco later on Monday.

Tropical Storm Boris will being strong winds and very heavy rain to parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Tropical Depression Two-E Forms South of Acapulco

Tropical Depression Two-E formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Acapulco, Mexico on Sunday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Two-E was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 99.8°W which put the center about 85 miles (135 km) south of Acapulco, Mexico.  The tropical depression was moving toward the northeast at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

The government of Mexico issued a Tropical Storm Warning that is in effect for the portion of the coast from Laguna de Chacahua to Tecpan de Galeana.  The Tropical Storm Warning includes Acapulco.

A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Acapulco strengthened on Sunday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Two-E.

A few more thunderstorms were forming near the center of Tropical Depression Two-E on Sunday afternoon.  More thunderstorms were also developing in bands revolving around the center of the tropical depression.  Storms near the center of Tropical Depression Two-E started to generate upper level divergence that was pumping mass away to the west of the tropical depression.  The removal of mass was causing the surface pressure to decrease slowly,

Tropical Depression Two-E will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C.  It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is over Mexico.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Depression Two-E could intensify to a tropical storm.

Tropical Depression Two-E around the western side of a high pressure system that is over southeastern Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the north during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Two-E will make landfall on the coast of Mexico east of Acapulco in less than 24 hours.

Tropical Depression Two-E could be a tropical storm at the time of landfall.  In any case, the tropical depression or tropical storm will being strong winds and heavy rain to Guerrero and Oaxaca.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Amanda continued to weaken slowly far to the east-southeast of Hawaii.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Amanda was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 135.4°W which put the center about 1425 miles (2295 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.  Amanda was moving toward the southwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

Hurricane Erick Hits Southern Mexico

Hurricane Erick hit the coast of southern Mexico on Thursday morning.  Erick started to weaken after it moved inland near the border between Oaxaca and Guerrero.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Erick was located at latitude 17.1°N and longitude 99.0°W which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) east-northeast of Acapulco, Mexico.  Erick was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 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 988 mb.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Escondido to Acapulco, Mexico.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico.

Hurricane Erick rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale before it made landfall on the coast of Mexico.  The maximum sustained wind speed at the time of landfall was 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).

Hurricane force winds extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Erick’s circulation at the time of landfall.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Erick.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Erick at the time of landfall was 28.2.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.1 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 36.3.  Hurricane Erick was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Charley when Charley hit southwest Florida in 2004.

The center of Hurricane Erick made landfall near Punta Maldonado.  Erick will continue to move northwest over Guerrero.  Hurricane Erick will weaken quickly when it moves over the Sierra Madres del Sur.  Erick will continue to drop heavy rain over parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero as it weakens.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

Hurricane Erick Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 2

Hurricane Erick rapidly intensified to a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Wednesday.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Erick was located at latitude 14.2°N and longitude 96.3°W which put the center about 215 miles (345 km) southeast of Punta Maldonado, Mexico.    Erick was moving toward the northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 971 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Angel to Acapulco, Mexico.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico. 

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz, Mexico.  A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Acapulco to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico.

A U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane investigating Hurricane Erick on Wednesday afternoon found that Erick had rapidly intensified to Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale.  A circular eye with a diameter of 15 miles (24 km) was present at the center of Erick’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 Erick.  Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped mass away in all directions from the hurricane.  The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

The distribution of winds speeds around Hurricane Erick was fairly symmetrical.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Erick’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) from the center of Hurricane Erick.

Hurricane Erick will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Erick will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the adjacent part of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Hurricane Erick will intensify during the next 18 hours. Erick is likely to intensify rapidly.  Hurricane Erick is likely to strengthen to a major hurricane by Thursday.

Hurricane Erick will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Central America and southern Mexico.  The high pressure system will steer Erick toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Erick will move toward the coast of southern Mexico.  Erick is likely to make landfall in southern Mexico between Acapulco and Punta Maldonado early on Thursday.

Hurricane Erick is likely to be a major hurricane when it makes landfall on the coast of Mexico.  Erick will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Michoacan.  The strongest winds and heaviest rains will occur in Guerrero.  Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.  Hurricane Erick could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast.