Former Tropical Storm Cristina weakened to a tropical depression over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of El Salvador on Wednesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Cristina was located at latitude 12.6°N and longitude 88.9°W which put the center about 80 miles (130 km) south-southeast of San Salvador, El Salvador. Cristina was moving toward the northwest 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.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the entire coast of El Salvador.
Former Tropical Storm Cristina weakened to a tropical depression south of El Salvador on Wednesday afternoon. An upper level ridge over Mexico was producing northerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Cristina’s circulation. Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear caused some of the thunderstorms in former Tropical Storm Cristina to dissipate. The wind shear also caused Cristina to weaken to a tropical depression.
Some of the thunderstorms near the center of Tropical Depression Cristina dissipated on Wednesday afternoon. Thunderstorms were still occurring in a band southwest of the center of Cristina’s circulation. Other thunderstorms were still occurring in a band in the northeastern part of Tropical Depression Cristina. The thunderstorms in Cristina generated some upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical depression. The removal of mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels. So, the surface pressure did not change much on Wednesday.
Tropical Depression Cristina will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Cristina will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. The upper level ridge that is over Mexico will continue to produce northerly winds that will blow toward the top of Cristina’s circulation. Those winds will continue to cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification. The intensity of Tropical Depression Cristina is not likely to change much during the next 12 hours.
Tropical Depression 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 northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Cristina will reach the coast of El Salvador during Wednesday night.
Tropical Depression Cristina will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to El Salvador and to southern Guatemala. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.