Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Douglas

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Douglas

Former Tropical Depression 04E strengthened to Tropical Storm Douglas on Wednesday afternoon as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Douglas was located at latitude 15.7°N and longitude 127.0°W which put the center about 1220 miles (1960 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Douglas was moving toward the north at 7 m.p.h. (11 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.

Former Tropical Depression 04E strengthened on Wednesday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Douglas.

The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Douglas was asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern and eastern parts of Douglas’ circulation.  Bands in the northern and western parts of Tropical Storm Douglas consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Douglas generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Douglas.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the eastern side of Douglas’ circulation.  The winds in the western half of Tropical Storm Douglas were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Douglas will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Douglas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Baja California.  The upper level ridge will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Douglas’ circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  There is also some drier air north and west of Tropical Storm Douglas.  The drier air could limit the development of thunderstorms in those parts of Douglas’ circulation.  Tropical Storm Douglas could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours, if the drier air does not get pulled into the center of its circulation.  Douglas is likely to move over cooler water by later on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Douglas will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Douglas toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Douglas will remain far to the southwest of Baja California.

Tropical Storm Douglas Moves Away from Hawaii

A weakening Tropical Storm Douglas moved away from Hawaii on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Douglas was located at latitude 22.9°N and longitude 163.3°W which put it about 200 miles (325 km) east-southeast of French Frigate Shoals.  Douglas was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (30 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 993 mb.

Tropical Storm Douglas weakened on Monday.  An upper level trough west of Hawaii produced southerly winds which blew toward the top of Douglas’ circulation.  Those winds caused strong vertical wind shear.  The wind shear caused former Hurricane Douglas to weaken even though it was moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature was near 27°C.  The low level center of circulation was surrounded by showers and lower clouds.  The only thunderstorms were occurring on the northern periphery of the tropical storm.  Bands in the other parts of Douglas consisted of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 100 miles (160 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Douglas will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the North Pacific Ocean.  The high will steer Douglas toward the west during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Douglas will move across the International Date Line and over the Western North Pacific Ocean later this week.  The upper level trough will continue to cause vertical wind shear and Douglas will continue to weaken.

Tropical Storm Douglas Strengthens Quickly

Tropical Storm Douglas strengthened quickly over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean on Tuesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Douglas was located at latitude 12.4°N and longitude 124.2°W which put it about 2110 miles (3390 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Douglas was moving toward the west-southwest at 15 m.p.h. (24 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.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Douglas exhibited much better organization on Tuesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around around the center of Douglas.  The strongest bands were in the southern half of Tropical Storm Douglas.  Storms near the center of circulation were generating upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 40 miles (65 km) from the center of Douglas.

Tropical Storm Douglas will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Douglas will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is 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 Douglas is likely to intensify into a hurricane during the next 24 hours and it could strengthen into a major hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Douglas will move south of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The high is likely to steer Douglas toward the west-northwest during the next few days.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Douglas could approach Hawaii by late in the weekend.

Elsewhere over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Depression Seven-E weakened over cooler water east of Hawaii.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Seven-E was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 134.1°W which put it about 1575 miles (2535 km) west of the southern tip of Baja California.  The depression was moving toward west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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 1009 mb.