Tropical Storm Erick strengthened on Tuesday as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Erick was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 94.9°W which put the center about 330 miles (535 km) southeast of Punta Maldonado, Mexico. Erick was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 998 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 Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Angel to Bahias de Huatulco, Mexico.
A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Puerto Angel to Salina Cruz, Mexico.
Tropical Storm Erick strengthened on Tuesday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Erick’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Erick. Storms near the center of Erick generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Erick was somewhat asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the western half of Erick’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Erick.
Tropical Storm Erick will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 36 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 Central America 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. Tropical Storm Erick will intensify during the next 36 hours. Erick could rapidly intensify at times. Tropical Storm Erick will intensify to a hurricane on Wednesday.
Tropical Storm 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 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Erick will move toward the coast of southern Mexico. Erick could make landfall in southern Mexico between Acapulco and Punta Maldonado on Thursday.
Tropical Storm Erick will be a 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. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations. Tropical Storm Erick could also cause a storm surge of up to 10 feet (3 meters) along the coast.