Tag Archives: Tropical Depression Javier

Tropical Storm Kay Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Storm Kay formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Sunday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Kay was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 102.5°W which put it about 225 miles (365 km) southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Kay was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

An area of low pressure over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Sunday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Kay. There was a large counterclockwise circulation revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Kay. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Kay’s circulation, but there were not many thunderstorms close to the center. The strongest rainbands were in the southern half of Tropical Storm Kay. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Kay. The winds in the other parts of Kay’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Kay will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Kay will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Kay will intensify during the next 36 hours, but the rate of intensification could be slow because of the large size of the circulation. The rate of intensification could speed up when more thunderstorms form near the center of Kay and an inner core develops. Tropical Storm Kay could strengthen to a hurricane within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Kay will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Kay toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kay will move parallel to the west coast of Mexico. Kay could move more toward the north-northwest when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system on Tuesday. Kay could approach Baja California on Wednesday.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Javier moved farther away from Baja California. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Javier was located at latitude 27.2°N and longitude 121.0°W which put it about 380 miles (610 km) west of Punta Eugenia, Mexico. Javier was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (16 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 1003 mb.