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.
