Tropical East Pacific to erupt with activity this week
By
Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Aug 22, 2020 5:26 PM EDT
Bio-luminescent waves rolled onto the beach in Monterey, California, on Aug. 13, creating quite the scene, as the waves glowed blue due to the presence of light producing plankton.
The Atlantic basin has exploded with activity in recent days, but as the Gulf Coast prepares for impacts from Hurricane Laura, the East Pacific may also soon erupt with activity.
While there are currently no organized tropical systems, the East Pacific is expected to come to life very soon as AccuWeather forecasters monitor three areas for potential tropical development.
A tropical wave that emerged over the Pacific Ocean from Mexico late Sunday will move into an environment conducive for tropical development this week. Warm waters and light wind shear will allow this tropical wave to become more organized.
"There is a moderate to high chance for tropical development off the southwestern coast of Mexico. An area of low pressure could become a tropical depression or storm by the middle of the week," stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller.
This storm will have minimal impact to land as it is forecast to develop away from the southern coast of Mexico, then follow a westerly path taking it out into the Pacific Ocean.
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However, if the storm strengthens quickly enough, it could stir up rough seas along the southern coast of Mexico. Any shipping interests should also monitor this feature and future track throughout the week.
This won't be the only system to watch in the East Pacific as another tropical low will try to develop during the same time period -- this time, closer to land.
"Another area of concern is found south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, where an area of low pressure has formed," Miller said.
This second potential feature may follow a path parallel to the southern coast of Mexico through the end of the week.
Depending on the exact track and intensity of this storm, it could bring tropical downpours and gusty winds to southern Mexico around the middle of the week.
A third area disturbed weather formed several hundred miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California early Tuesday. This low pressure area is expected to drift northeast and could evolve into an organized tropical system later this week, AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.
The next two names for organized tropical systems in the East Pacific are Hernan and Iselle. The next two systems that reach tropical storm status, or sustained winds of at least 39 mph, will be given these names in the order they develop.
Genevieve was the most recent tropical system in the East Pacific Basin. The storm reached major hurricane status after strengthening into a Category 4 hurricane. The second storm of the 2020 season to reach this level after Hurricane Douglas, which tracked near Hawaii.
A track along the Baja California Sur brought rounds of heavy rain and gusty winds to the peninsula throughout this past week as the storm gradually weakened and dissipated.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Hurricane
Tropical East Pacific to erupt with activity this week
By Maura Kelly, AccuWeather meteorologist
Published Aug 22, 2020 5:26 PM EDT
Bio-luminescent waves rolled onto the beach in Monterey, California, on Aug. 13, creating quite the scene, as the waves glowed blue due to the presence of light producing plankton.
The Atlantic basin has exploded with activity in recent days, but as the Gulf Coast prepares for impacts from Hurricane Laura, the East Pacific may also soon erupt with activity.
While there are currently no organized tropical systems, the East Pacific is expected to come to life very soon as AccuWeather forecasters monitor three areas for potential tropical development.
A tropical wave that emerged over the Pacific Ocean from Mexico late Sunday will move into an environment conducive for tropical development this week. Warm waters and light wind shear will allow this tropical wave to become more organized.
"There is a moderate to high chance for tropical development off the southwestern coast of Mexico. An area of low pressure could become a tropical depression or storm by the middle of the week," stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller.
This storm will have minimal impact to land as it is forecast to develop away from the southern coast of Mexico, then follow a westerly path taking it out into the Pacific Ocean.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
However, if the storm strengthens quickly enough, it could stir up rough seas along the southern coast of Mexico. Any shipping interests should also monitor this feature and future track throughout the week.
This won't be the only system to watch in the East Pacific as another tropical low will try to develop during the same time period -- this time, closer to land.
"Another area of concern is found south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, where an area of low pressure has formed," Miller said.
This second potential feature may follow a path parallel to the southern coast of Mexico through the end of the week.
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Depending on the exact track and intensity of this storm, it could bring tropical downpours and gusty winds to southern Mexico around the middle of the week.
A third area disturbed weather formed several hundred miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California early Tuesday. This low pressure area is expected to drift northeast and could evolve into an organized tropical system later this week, AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.
The next two names for organized tropical systems in the East Pacific are Hernan and Iselle. The next two systems that reach tropical storm status, or sustained winds of at least 39 mph, will be given these names in the order they develop.
Genevieve was the most recent tropical system in the East Pacific Basin. The storm reached major hurricane status after strengthening into a Category 4 hurricane. The second storm of the 2020 season to reach this level after Hurricane Douglas, which tracked near Hawaii.
A track along the Baja California Sur brought rounds of heavy rain and gusty winds to the peninsula throughout this past week as the storm gradually weakened and dissipated.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo