Malou Strengthens to a Typhoon South-southwest of Iwo To

Former Tropical Storm Malou strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean south-southwest of Iwo To on Tuesday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Typhoon Malou was located at latitude 21.0°N and longitude 139.4°E which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south-southwest of Iwo To. Malou was moving toward the north-northeast at 3 m.p.h. (5 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 981 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Malou intensified to a typhoon on Tuesday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Typhoon Malou and an eye appeared intermittently on satellite images. A broken ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Malou’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. Winds to typhoon force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 165 miles (270 km) from the center of circulation.

Typhoon Malou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge south of Japan. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. The upper level ridge will enhance divergence which will cause the surface pressure to decrease. Typhoon Malou is likely to strengthen during the next 24 hours. Malou could intensify rapidly if an inner core with an eye and a complete eyewall develops.

An upper level trough over Japan will steer Typhoon Malou toward the north-northeast during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Typhoon Malou could make a direct hit on Iwo To in 24 hours. Typhoon Malou will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Iwo To. Malou will be capable of causing serious damage on Iwo To. Heavy rain could also cause flash floods.

Hurricane Rick Makes Landfall on West Coast of Mexico

Hurricane Rick made landfall on the west coast of Mexico on Monday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Rick was located at latitude 18.2°N and longitude 102.1°W which put it about 15 miles (25 km) north-northeast of Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. Rick was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 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 977 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan De Galeana to Punta San Telmo, Mexico. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Manzanillo and from Tecpan de Galeana to Acapulco, Mexico.

Hurricane Rick made landfall on the west coast of Mexico between Zihuatenajo and Lazaro Cardenas on Monday morning. Rick intensified before it made landfall. The maximum sustained wind speed increased to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) which made Rick a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Even though Hurricane Rick intensified, the circulation remained relative small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Rick. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Rick was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 8.2 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 26.0. Hurricane Rick was capable of causing regionalized serious damage.

Hurricane Rick was bringing strong winds and locally heavy rain to the portion of the coast between Lazaro Cardenas and Zihuatenajo. There were reports of damage in Ixtapa. Winds blowing water toward the coast were causing a storm surge. Heavy rain was falling over parts of Guerrero and Michoacan. The heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. Hurricane Rick will weaken steadily now that the center is inland. However, heavy rain will spread over inland sections of Guerrero and Michoacan and flash floods could occur in those areas.

Tropical Storm Malou Forms West of the Marianas

Tropical Storm Malou formed west of the Marianas on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Malou was located at latitude 16.5°N and longitude 138.1°E which put it about 515 miles (830 km) west-northwest of Saipan. Malou was moving toward the north-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 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.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean west of the Marianas strengthened on Sunday night and the Japan Meteorological Agency designated the system as Tropical Storm Malou. The circulation around Tropical Storm Malou was still organizing. There was a broad center of circulation, but there were not many thunderstorms near the center of Malou. Several long rainbands were revolving around the broad center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern half of Malou. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) on the eastern side of Malou. The winds in the western half of Malou’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Malou will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Malou will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under an upper level ridge near the Marianas. The upper level winds are weak in the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Malou is likely to intensify steadily during the next 48 hours. Malou could strengthen to a typhoon in 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Malou will move around the western end of a high pressure system over the Western North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Malou toward the west-northwest during the next 48 hours. Tropical Storm Malou will turn toward the northeast after it moves around the western end of the ridge. On its anticipated track Malou could approach Iwo To in three days. Malou could be a typhoon when it approaches Iwo To.

Hurricane Rick Moves Toward Mexico

Hurricane Rick moved slowly toward the west coast of Mexico on Sunday afternoon. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Rick was located at latitude 16.4°N and longitude 101.7°W which put it about 85 miles (135 km) south of Zihuatenajo, Mexico. Rick was moving toward the north at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 980 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan De Galeana to Punta San Telmo, Mexico. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Manzanillo and from Tecpan de Galeana to Acapulco, Mexico.

The intensity of Hurricane Rick was steady during the past few hours. The inner core of Rick’s circulation was not as well organized as it was on Saturday afternoon. There were breaks in the ring of thunderstorms surrounding the center of Hurricane Rick. Storms near the center of circulation continued to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the center of Rick. The circulation around Hurricane Rick was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Rick. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Rick will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Rick will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Rick could intensify during the next 12 hours. However, the less organized core of Rick will limit intensification. An upper level trough near the west coast of the U.S. will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Rick’s circulation on Monday. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear and the shear could cause Hurricane Rick to weaken as it nears the coast of Mexico.

Hurricane Rick will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico during the next 24 hours. A large upper level trough near the west coast of the U.S. will cause the high pressure system to weaken. As the high pressure system weakens, the southern part of the upper level trough will steer Rick toward the north. On its anticipated track Hurricane Rick could make landfall on the west coast of Mexico on Sunday night. Hurricane Rick will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the portion of the coast near Zihuatanejo. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in parts of Guerrero and Michoacan on Sunday night and Monday.

Rick Rapidly Intensifies to a Hurricane South of Mexico

Former Tropical Storm Rick rapidly intensified to a hurricane south of Mexico early on Saturday. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Hurricane Rick was located at latitude 14.3°N and longitude 101.5°W which put it about 235 miles (380 km) south of Zihuatenajo, Mexico. Rick was moving toward the north-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 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 990 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Tecpan De Galeana to Punta San Telmo, Mexico. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Manzanillo and from Tecpan de Galeana to Acapulco, Mexico.

Former Tropical Storm Rick intensified rapidly during Friday night and it strengthened to a hurricane early on Saturday. A small eye formed at the center of Hurricane Rick. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Rick’s circulation. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The removal of mass allowed the surface pressure to decrease quickly. The circulation around Hurricane Rick was small. Winds to hurricane force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of Rick. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Rick will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Rick will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Rick will likely continue to intensify rapidly during the next 24 hours. Rick could strengthen to a major hurricane on Sunday.

Hurricane Rick will move around the western part of a high pressure system over Mexico during the next 24 hours. A large upper level trough approaching the west coast of the U.S. will cause the high pressure system to weaken during the weekend. As the high pressure system weakens, the southern part of the upper level trough will steer Rick toward the north. On its anticipated track Hurricane Rick could approach the west coast of Mexico by later on Sunday. Rick could be a major hurricane when it approaches the coast of Mexico. The Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches are likely to be changed to warnings later today. Hurricane Rick could bring strong winds and heavy rain to Guerrero and Michoacan on Sunday night and Monday.

TD 17E Strengthens to Tropical Storm Rick, Mexico Issues Watches

Former Tropical Depression Seventeen-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Rick on Friday afternoon and the government of Mexico issued a Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Watches for portions of the coast. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Rick was located at latitude 13.1°N and longitude 101.0°W which put it about 460 miles (745 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. Rick was moving toward the west-northwest 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 1005 mb.

A Hurricane Watch was issued for the portion of the coast from Zihuatenajo to Punta San Telmo, Mexico. Tropical Storm Watches were issued for the portions of the coast from Punta San Telmo to Manzanillo and from Zihuatenajo to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico.

The circulation around former Tropical Depression Seventeen-E strengthened on Friday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Rick. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western and southern sides of the center of Tropical Storm Rick. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upped level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern half of Tropical Storm Rick. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Rick will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Rick will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Rick will continue to intensify steadily during the next 36 hours. Rick could strengthen to a hurricane on Saturday.

Tropical Storm Rick will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over Mexico during the next few hours. A large upper level trough approaching the west coast of the U.S. will cause the high pressure system to weaken during the weekend. When the high pressure system weakens, the southern part of the upper level trough will turn Rick toward the north-northwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Rick could approach the west coast of Mexico by later on Sunday. Rick could be a hurricane when it approaches the coast of Mexico. The Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches are likely to be changed to warnings on Saturday.

Tropical Depression Seventeen-E Forms South of Mexico

Tropical Depression Seventeen-E formed south of Mexico on Friday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Depression Seventeen-E was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 100.5°W which put it about 505 miles (810 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. The depression was moving toward the west at 10 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 1007 mb.

The circulation around a low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico exhibited more organization on Friday morning and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Seventeen-E. The circulation around Tropical Depression Seventeen-E was still organizing. More thunderstorms developed near the center of the depression. More thunderstorms also formed in bands revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Seventeen-E will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Depression Seventeen-E is likely to intensify steadily during the next 36 hours. The depression is likely to intensify to a tropical storm later today and it could strengthen to a hurricane on Saturday.

Tropical Depression Seventeen-E will move around the southern part of a high pressure system over Mexico during the next few hours. A large upper level trough approaching the west coast of the U.S. will cause the high pressure system to weaken during the weekend. When the high pressure system weakens, the southern part of the upper level trough will turn the tropical depression toward the north-northwest. On its anticipated track Tropical Depression Seventeen-E could approach the west coast of Mexico by later on Sunday. The tropical depression could be a hurricane when it approaches the coast of Mexico. Watches could be issued for a portion of the coast later on Friday or on Saturday morning.

Namtheun Strengthens to a Typhoon North of Wake Island

Former Tropical Storm Namtheun strengthened to a typhoon over the Western North Pacific Ocean north of Wake Island on Saturday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Typhoon Namtheun was located at latitude 31.4°N and longitude 165.6°E which put it about 800 miles (1290 km) north of Wake Island. Namtheun was moving toward the north-northeast at 18 m.p.h. (29 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. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Former Tropical Storm Namtheun passed over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C during the past 24 hours and it was able to extract enough energy to strengthen to a typhoon. A small eye formed at the center of Typhoon Namtheun. The eye was surrounded by a broken ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Storms near the center of Namtheun generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the typhoon. The circulation around Typhoon Namtheun was relatively small. Winds to typhoon force extended out 20 miles (30 km) from the center of Namtheun. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of circulation.

An upper level trough east of Japan will steer Typhoon Namtheun toward the north-northeast during the weekend. On its anticipated track Namtheun will move toward the Aleutian Islands. Typhoon Namtheun will move into an environment unfavorable for intensification during the weekend. Namtheun will move over much cooler water. The upper level trough east of Japan will produce strong southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Namtheun’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The combination of cooler water and more vertical wind shear will cause Typhoon Namtheun to make a transition to an extratropical cyclone as it moves toward the Aleutian Islands.

Tropical Storm Namtheun Spins Southeast of Japan

Tropical Storm Namtheun was spinning southeast of Japan on Friday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Namtheun was located at latitude 26.6°N and longitude 161.9°E which put it about 495 miles (800 km) east-northeast of Minami Tori Shima. Namtheun was moving toward the east-northeast at 18 m.p.h. (29 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 994 mb.

Tropical Storm Namtheun was the only current tropical cyclone on Friday morning as it churned over the Western North Pacific Ocean between Japan and Hawaii. Namtheun intensified during the past 24 hours as it moved well to the east of the main islands of Japan. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the center of Tropical Storm Namtheun. A broken ring of thunderstorms was around the center of circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Namtheun. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 85 miles (135 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Namtheun will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Namtheun will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. An upper level trough southeast of Japan will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Namtheun’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear and the wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Namtheun could strengthen during the next 24 hours. Namtheun will move over colder water during the weekend. It will also move in a region where the upper level winds will be stronger. Tropical Storm Namtheun will weaken during the weekend.

The upper level trough southeast of Japan will steer Tropical Storm Namtheun toward the northeast during the next several days. On its anticipated track Namtheun will move farther away from Japan.

Hurricane Pamela Makes Landfall on West Coast of Mexico

Hurricane Pamela made landfall on the west coast of Mexico northwest of Mazatlan near La Cruz on Wednesday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Pamela was located at latitude 23.7°N and longitude 106.8°W which put it about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of Mazatlan, Mexico. Pamela was moving toward the northeast at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 987 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Bahia Tempehuaya to Escuinapa, Mexico. The Hurricane Warning included Mazatlan. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portions of the coast from Altata to Bahia Tempehuaya, Mexico and from Escuinapa to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico.

Hurricane Pamela was being affected by moderate vertical wind shear as it approached the west coast of Mexico. A large upper level trough over the western U.S. was producing southwesterly winds that were blowing toward the top of Pamela’s circulation. Northerly winds in the lower levels of the western side of Hurricane Pamela pulled drier air into its circulation. The combination of moderate vertical wind shear and drier air caused an asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms. The strongest thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in bands in the northeastern part of Hurricane Pamela. Bands in other parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Pamela’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) on the eastern side of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of circulation.

The upper level trough over the western U.S. will steer Hurricane Pamela quickly toward the northeast during the next 24 hours. The circulation in the lower levels of Pamela will weaken quickly when it moves over the mountains in western Mexico. Pamela will drop locally heavy rain over parts of Sinaloa and Durango. Flash floods could occur in some locations. The remnants of of the middle and upper parts Pamela’s circulation could contribute to rainfall over Texas on Thursday.