Tropical Storm Celia passed south of Baja California on Saturday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Celia was located at latitude 18.5°N and longitude 110.8°W which put it about 310 miles (500 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Celia was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 994 mb.
Tropical Storm Celia began to be affected by cooler water to its northwest on Saturday. The distribution of thunderstorms around Celia’s circulation was asymmetrical. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the eastern half of Tropical Storm Celia, which was still over warmer water. Bands in the western half of Celia, which was over cooler water, consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 100 miles (160 km) in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Celia. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the western side of Celia.
Tropical Storm Celia will move into an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next few days. Celia will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are colder than 26˚C. It will move under the southeastern part of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Celia’s circulation. Those winds will cause more vertical wind shear. A combination of cooler water and more vertical wind shear will cause Tropical Storm Celia to weaken during the next few days.
Tropical Storm Celia will move south of a high pressure system over northern Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific. The high pressure system will steer Celia toward the west-northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Celia will move farther away from Baja California.
