Tropical Storm Dalila formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Friday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Dalila was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 102.4°W which put the center about 205 miles (335 km) south-southwest of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Dalila was moving toward the north-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1001 mb.
A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Playa Perula, Mexico.
A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Playa Perula to Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Lazaro Cardenas to Tecpan de Galeana, Mexico,
A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Friday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Dalila. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the western side of the center of Dalila’s circulation. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Dalila. Storms near the center of Dalila generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Dalila was large. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 310 miles (500 km) from the center of Dalila’s circulation.
Tropical Storm Dalila will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Dalila will move over water where where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the middle part of an upper level ridge over southern Mexico and the adjacent part of 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 will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Dalila will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over Mexico. The high pressure system will steer the tropical disturbance toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Dalila will move a little closer to the coast of southwestern Mexico on Friday night.
Thunderstorms in bands in the northern periphery of Tropical Storm Dalila will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to coastal portions of southwestern Mexico. The heaviest rain is likely fall in parts of Guerrero, Michoacan, and Colima. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some location.
