Tropical Storm Barbara formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico during Saturday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Barbara was located at latitude 15.2°N and longitude 102.4°W which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Barbara was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.
A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened during Saturday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Barbara. The circulation around Tropical Storm Barbara was organizing quickly. More thunderstorms were forming near the center of Barbara’s circulation. Thunderstorms were also developing quickly in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Barbara. Storms near the center of Barbara generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm in all directions. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Barbara was relatively small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Barbara’s circulation.
Tropical Storm Barbara will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Barbara will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the middle part of an upper level ridge over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Barbara will intensify during the next 24 hours. Barbara could rapidly intensify to a hurricane by Monday.
Tropical Storm Barbara will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer Barbara toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Barbara will move west of the west coast of Mexico.
