Tag Archives: Tropical Storm Newton

Tropical Storm Newton Moves South of Baja California

Tropical Storm Newton moved south of Baja California on Thursday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Newton was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 109.0°W which put it about 345 miles (550 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California. Newton was moving toward the west-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 1000 mb.

Tropical Storm Newton strengthened on Thursday as it moved over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California. The circulation around Newton was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Newton. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Short bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Newton’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Newton will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Newton will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, there is drier air north and west of Tropical Storm Newton. If the drier air gets pulled into Newton’s circulation, then it could weaken quickly because the tropical storm is so small. If the drier air remains outside of Newton’s circulation, then the tropical storm could get stronger.

Tropical Storm Newton will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Newton toward the west during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Newton will move farther away from Baja California.

Tropical Storm Newton Forms Southwest of Mexico

Tropical Storm Newton formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico on Wednesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Newton was located at latitude 17.6°N and longitude 107.0°W which put it about 200 miles (325 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Newton was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 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.

An area of low pressure over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico strengthened on Wednesday evening and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Newton. Thunderstorms were developing near the center of Tropical Storm Newton. Other thunderstorms formed in bands revolving around the center of Newton’s circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Newton. The winds in the southern side of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Newton will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Newton will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Newton is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours. Newton will move over cooler water on Friday and it will start to weaken.

Tropical Storm Newton will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Newton toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Newton will pass south of Baja California on Friday.

Tropical Storm Newton Forms, Hurricane Warning Issued for Baja California

Tropical Storm Newton formed Sunday within a large area of thunderstorms west of Mexico.  Based on the forecast track and intensity the government of Mexico issued watches and warnings for parts of the west coast of Mexico and Baja California.  A Hurricane Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from La Paz to Santa Fe including Cabo San Lucas.  A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for the portion of the coast from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes.  Hurricane Watches were issued for the portions of the coast from La Paz to San Evaristo and from Santa Fe to Cabo San Lazaro.  Tropical Storm Watches were issued for the portions of the coast from San Evaristo to Loreto, from Cabo San Lazaro to Puerto San Andresito and from Mazatlan to Huatabampito.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Newton was located at latitude 17.0°N and longitude 105.7°W which put it about 490 miles (790 km) southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  Newton was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 1000 mb.

The circulation of Tropical Storm Newton is still organizing.  There is a broad cyclonic rotation southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.  Clusters of thunderstorms may be spinning up smaller cyclonic circulations within the larger circulation.  Bands of thunderstorms are developing in the southern and eastern of the portions of the larger cyclonic circulation.  There is upper level divergence pumping mass out to the west of the center, but there is no apparent tight core at the center of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Newton is in an environment that is favorable for intensification.  It is moving over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 30°C.  An upper level ridge over Mexico is producing northeasterly winds which are blowing across the top of Tropical Storm Newton,  The upper level winds are restricting the upper level divergence to the east of Newton,  but the vertical wind shear should not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  It is possible that some drier air from Mexico could be pulled into the eastern half of the circulation.

Tropical Storm Newton is forecast to intensify on Monday.  The broad circulation could slow the rate of intensification until a distinct inner core forms.  Once a core develops, then Tropical Storm Newton could intensify more quickly and a period of rapid intensification may be possible.  Tropical Storm Newton could intensify into a hurricane before it reaches Baja California.

The ridge over Mexico is steering Newton toward the north-northwest and that motion is expected to continue for another day or so.  An upper level trough approaching the west coast of North America is expected to turn Tropical Storm Newton more toward the north as it nears the southern tip of Baja California.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Newton could be very near the southern tip of Baja California in about 36 hours.