A low level circulation center formed in a cluster of thunderstorms west of Mexico and the National Hurricane Center decided it had enough organization to be classified as a tropical depression.  At 10:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression 21E (TD21E) was located at latitude 13.2°N and longitude 106.1°W which put it about 420 miles (675 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  TD21E was moving toward the north at 2 m.p.h. (3 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 1004 mb.

TD21E looked more well organized earlier today when the low level center of circulation was located within the area of thunderstorms.  The low level center is now southeast of an area of weakening thunderstorms, which is an indication that the tropical depression is poorly organized.  Most of the remaining thunderstorms are located north of the low level center.

The tropical depression is over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  However, the environment is not really favorable for intensification.  An upper level ridge east of the depression is causing southerly winds over the top of TD21E.  Those winds are generating vertical wind shear over the top of the depression.  The wind shear has blown the thunderstorms north of circulation center.  Some slight intensification may be possible if the wind shear decreases, but the poor organization of the depression will limit any potential strengthening.

If the tropical depression retains its vertical integrity, the southerly winds in the upper levels should push it toward the north.  However, if the wind shear blows the thunderstorms farther north of the low level center of circulation, then the low level center could remain stationary while it spins down.