The Eastern Pacific is alive with tropical activity as Tropical Storm Amanda, Invest 91E and an area to watch are all monitored. Invest 91E was designated Friday morning and could become a tropical depression by weekend’s end.
The Eastern Pacific is already busy with tropical activity less than a month into hurricane season, as the National Hurricane Center continues monitoring Tropical Storm Amanda as well as two more areas to watch hot on the storm’s heels.
Tropical Storm Amanda is moving west-northwest with winds at 45 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, TROPICAL STORM, AND HURRICANE?
A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph.
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Amanda is forecast to have no direct impacts on land and remain out at sea.
The tropical storm is expected to begin weakening Friday night and continue weakening through the weekend before dissipating by Sunday.
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On Friday, the National Hurricane Center designated Invest 91E near Acapulco, Mexico.
The NHC has given this system a high chance of development over the next week.
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This system is likely to become a tropical depression late into the weekend or early into next week.
For now, the NHC said it’s likely to move northward near the coast of Mexico.
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The FOX Forecast Center said Invest 91E could bring significant rain to Mexico if it continues near the coast.
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Another area to watch is being monitored right behind Invest 91E.
This area to watch has medium chances of development over the next seven days.
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The NHC said if the system remains offshore, it could become a tropical depression by late weekend or into early next week.
Heavy rainfall is likely across Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala with this system.
Sea surface temperatures near Mexico and farther west into the open Pacific are currently running about 2 to 3 degrees above average — favorable conditions for tropical formation.
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These temperatures are consistent with a developing super El Niño climate pattern that is expected to play a dominant role this hurricane season, likely increasing tropical activity in the Eastern Pacific, while simultaneously suppressing tropical development in the Atlantic.
The Eastern Pacific averages around 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes each season.
