Hurricane Fausto was moving toward the Central Pacific Ocean on Wednesday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Fausto was located at latitude 17.5°N and longitude 123.0°W which put the center about 2155 miles (3475 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Fausto was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.
Hurricane Fausto did not change much on Wednesday. A small circular eye was visible intermittently on satellite images. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Fausto’s circulation. Storms near the center of Fausto generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. The removal of mass in the upper levels was nearly equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere. So, the surface pressure did not change much on Wednesday.
The strongest winds were occurring in the northeastern part of Hurricane Fausto. Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Fausto’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 195 miles (315 km) from the center of Hurricane Fausto.
Hurricane Fausto will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fausto will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is southwest of Mexico. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. There is drier air just to the north of Hurricane Fausto. The drier air could inhibit the development of thunderstorms in bands in the northern and western parts of Fausto’s circulation. Hurricane Fausto could intensify during the next 24 hours if the drier air does not prevent the formation of new thunderstorms.
Hurricane Fausto will move around the southern part of a high pressure system that is over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fausto toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Fausto will continue to move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.
