UPDATE: Tropical Storm Kiko to Become Hurricane Over Weekend

11 AM, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019: Tropical Depression Kiko Becomes Tropical Storm

TROPICAL STORM KIKO IS EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN INTO A HURRICANE OVER THE WEEKEND

At 11 a.m. HST, the center of Tropical Storm Kiko was located near latitude 16.1°N, longitude 112.2°W, roughly 495 miles SSW of the southern tip of Baja, California. Kiko is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph and is expected to continue to move to the west or west-northwest at a slower speed over the next few days.

Satellite data indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph with higher gusts. Further strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, with the system expected to become a hurricane this weekend.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 29.65 inches.

8 AM, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019: Low Pressure Area to Form SE of Big Island

8 AM: Central Pacific low to form SE of Big Island, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2019. PC: NOAA

An area of low pressure is expected to form Friday through Saturday around 900 miles SE of the Big Island of Hawai‘i. Some development is possible thereafter while the system moves WNW through early next week.

• Formation chance through 48 hours… low… near 0%.
• Formation chance through 5 days… low… 20%.

5 AM, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019: NEW TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS SOUTHWEST OF MEXICO

5 AM: Tropical Depression Thirteen-E, Sept. 13, 2019. PC: NOAA

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E is expected to remain within a favorable environment for intensification over the next several days. The system should become a tropical storm within a day, and a hurricane over the weekend.

There is some chance we see a more rapid intensification of the cyclone during the next few days.

It is unknown how much of an inner core will develop. Some weakening is expected by early next week as the system moves over cooler waters.

The center of Tropical Depression Thirteen-E is located near latitude 15.9°N, longitude 111.1°W, about 490 miles south of the southern tip of Baja, Calif.

The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph and is expected to continue to move to the west or WNW at a slower speed over the next few days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts.

Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, with the system expected to become a hurricane this weekend.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 29.71 inches.