Former Tropical Depression One-E strengthened to Tropical Storm Alvin over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Thursday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Alvin was located at latitude 13.8°N and longitude 106.3°W which put the center about 345 miles (555 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Alvin was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.
Former Tropical Depression One-E strengthened on Thursday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Alvin. Numerous thunderstorms formed near the center of Alvin’s circulation. More thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Alvin. Storms near the center of Alvin generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Alvin.
Tropical Storm Alvin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Alvin will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge that is south of Mexico. The upper level ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Alvin’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Alvin will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Alvin will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Alvin toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Alvin will move parallel to the west coast of Mexico.
