Tropical Storm Gil formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California on Wednesday night. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Gil was located at latitude 12.7°N and longitude 115.1°W which put the center about 785 miles (1260 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Gil was moving toward the west at 15 m.p.h. (24 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 1004 mb.
A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California strengthened on Wednesday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Gil.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Gil was organizing quickly on Thursday morning. Numerous thunderstorms formed near the center of Gil’s circulation. Thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Gil. Storms near the center of Gil generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The distribution of wind speed in Tropical Storm Gil was asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the eastern side of Gil’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Gil.
Tropical Storm Gil will move through an environment very favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Gil will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Gil’s circulation. However, the winds in the lower atmosphere will also blow from the east. So, there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Gil will intensify during the next 24 hours. Gil could intensify rapidly, Tropical Storm Gil could strengthen to a hurricane by Friday.
Tropical Storm Gil will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Gil toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Gil will move away from Baja California.
Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Iona moved quickly away from Hawaii. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Iona was located at latitude 12.3°N and longitude 166.9°W which put the center about 860 miles (1385 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. Iona was moving toward the west at 23 m.p.h. (37 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.
