Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Hector

Gilma Weakens to a Tropical Storm

Former Hurricane Gilma weakened to a tropical storm over the Central Pacific Ocean east of Hawaii on Tuesday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Gilma was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 142.1°W which put the center about 850 miles (1370 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Gilma was moving toward the west 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 996 mb.

Former Hurricane Gilma ran into strong westerly winds associated with an upper level low west of California.  Those winds effectively sheared the tops off of most of the thunderstorms in Gilma’s circulation.  The strong vertical wind shear caused former Hurricane Gilma to weaken rapidly on Tuesday.  For a time the circulation around Tropical Storm Gilma consisted primarily of bands of showers and lower clouds.  New thunderstorms began to develop in bands in the eastern side of Gilma’s circulation on Tuesday afternoon.

The small size of the circulation around former Hurricane Gilma contributed to the rapid weakening that occurred when the wind shear increased.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Gilma.

Tropical Storm Gilma will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gilma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 25°C.  The upper level low west of California will continue to produce westerly winds that will blow toward the top of Gilma’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderately strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Gilma is likely to continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Gilma will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern and Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gilma toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gilma will move closer to Hawaii.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Hone continued to move farther from Hawaii and Tropical Storm Hector continued to move westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Hone was located at latitude 20.1°N and longitude 166.1°W which put the center about 450 miles (725 km) west-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Hone was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Hector was located at latitude 17.8°N and longitude 129.8°W which put the center about 1335 miles (2145 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Hector was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

 

 

 

Hurricane Gilma Churns Westward

Hurricane Gilma continued to churn west toward the Central Pacific Ocean on Monday.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Gilma was located at latitude 18.4°N and longitude 137.4°W which put the center about 1160 miles (2865 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Gilma was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 968 mb.

Hurricane Gilma maintained its intensity on Monday as it churned west toward the Central Pacific.  The circulation around Hurricane Gilma was very symmetrical and it exhibited a structure sometimes called an annular hurricane.  A circular eye was present at the center of Gilma’s circulation.  A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  A several short bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Gilma.  Storms near the core of Gilma generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.  The divergence of mass in the upper levels of the atmosphere was nearly balanced by the inflow of mass in the lower levels.  The balance of mass caused the surface pressure to remain nearly steady.

The circulation around Hurricane Gilma was small.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Gilma’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Hurricane Gilma.

Hurricane Gilma will move through an environment that will be marginal for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Gilma will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 26°C.  It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Eastern and Central North Pacific.  The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge.  Hurricane Gilma is likely to maintain its intensity on Tuesday unless the vertical wind shear increases.  Since the circulation around Gilma is small, if the wind shear increases, Hurricane Gilma could start to weaken.

Hurricane Gilma will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern and Central North Pacific Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Gilma toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Gilma will move closer to Hawaii.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Hone moved farther away to the southwest of Hawaii and Tropical Storm Hector moved westward over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Hone was located at latitude 19.2°N and longitude 161.6°W which put the center about 240 miles (385 km) south-southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.  Hone was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Hector was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 125.8°W which put the center about 1125 miles (1805 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Hector was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

 

Hurricane Hone Brings Wind and Rain to Hawaii

Hurricane Hone brought wind and rain to Hawaii on Sunday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Hone was located at latitude 19.1°N and longitude 158.6°W which put the center about 160 miles (260 km) south-southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.  Hone was moving toward the west at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.

Bands in the northern side of Hurricane Hone brought wind and rain to the Big Island of Hawaii on Sunday.  A weather station at Bradshaw Army Airfield (PHSF) measured a sustained wind speed of 35 m.p.h. (56 km/h) and a wind gust of 44 m.p.h. (71 km/h).  The weather station also reported 1.35 inches (34.3 mm) of rain.  A weather station at Kahuku reported 8.52 inches (216.4 mm) of rain.

Hurricane Hone weakened on Sunday evening as it passed south of Hawaii.  An upper level trough northwest of the Hawaiian Islands was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Hone’s circulation.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing Hurricane Hone to weaken.  An eye was no longer visible at the center of Hone’s circulation.  The wind shear was also causing the distribution of thunderstorms to become asymmetrical.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the eastern part of Hurricane Hone.  Bands in the western part of Hone’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and low clouds.

Hurricane force winds were still occurring in the northeastern quadrant of Hurricane Hone.  Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Hone’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) from the center of Hurricane Hone.

Hurricane Hone will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Hone will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C.  However, the upper level trough northwest of the Hawaiian Islands will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will cause Hurricane Hone to weaken on Monday.

Hurricane Hone will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific and Central Pacific.  The high pressure system will steer Hone toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Hurricane Hone will move farther away from Hawaii on Monday.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Gilma started to weaken and Tropical Storm Hector formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Gilma was located at latitude 18.1°N and longitude 135.1°W which put the center about 1310 miles (2110 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii.  Gilma was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 972 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Hector was located at latitude 16.2°N and longitude 123.2°W which put the center about 980 miles (1580 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Hector was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

 

 

Tropical Storm Leepi Approaches Kyushu

Tropical Storm Leepi approached Kyushu late on Monday.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Leepi was located at latitude 29.8°N and longitude 135.3°E which put it about 335 miles (545 km) east-southeast of Kagoshima, Japan.  Leepi was moving toward the northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 983 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Leepi became much better organized on Monday.  A large circular clear area formed at the center of circulation, which represented the formation of an eye.  A primary band of showers and thunderstorms wrapped most of the way around the formative eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that band of storms.  Several bands of showers and thunderstorms in the eastern half of the circulation were revolving around the core of Tropical Storm Leepi.  Bands northwest of the center consisted mostly of showers and lower clouds.  Winds to tropical storm force extend out about 110 miles (170 km) from the center of circulation.  Storms around the center of Tropical Storm Leepi were generating upper level divergence that was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Leepi will move through an environment that will become less favorable on Tuesday.  Leepi will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C which means there will be enough energy to support a strong tropical storm.  However, an upper level ridge northwest of Japan will produce northeasterly winds which will cause significant vertical wind shear.  The wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Leepi to start to weaken when it nears Japan.

The ridge northwest of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Leepi toward the northwest on Tuesday.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Leepi will reach southeastern Kyushu in about 18 hours.  Leepi will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Kyushu late on Tuesday.  The locally heavy rain could create the potential for flash floods.

Elsewhere over the Western North Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Bebinca meandered southwest of Hong Kong and Tropical Storm Hector move westward across the International Date Line.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Bebinca was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 113.8°E which put it about 100 miles (160 km) south-southwest of Hong Kong.  Bebinca was moving toward the north-northeast at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 989 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Hector was located at latitude 26.2°N and longitude 176.2°E which put it about 760 miles (1225 km) east-northeast of Wake Island.  Hector was moving toward the west at 18 m.p.h. (29 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.

Tropical Storm Hector Forms Southwest of Baja California

Tropical Storm Hector formed southwest of Baja California on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Hector was located at latitude 13.0°N and longitude 118.2°W which put it about 875 miles (1405 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.  Hector was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1006 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation formed within an area of thunderstorms southwest of Baja California on Tuesday and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Hector.  The circulation of Tropical Storm Hector was still organizing.  Many of the stronger thunderstorms were occurring in two bands south and west of the center of circulation.  Additional bands of showers and storms were developing north and southeast of the center.  Thunderstorms near the center were beginning to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.

Tropical Storm Hector will move through an environment that is mostly favorable for intensification.  Hector will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 28°C.  An upper level ridge centered near Baja California was generating northeasterly winds which were blowing toward the top of the circulation.  Those winds were causing some vertical wind shear, but the shear will not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Hector will intensify over the next several days and it will likely become a hurricane by Thursday night.

Tropical Storm Hector will move south of the subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean.  The subtropical high will steer Hector in a general westerly direction.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Hector will move away from Mexico and toward the Central Pacific Ocean.