Tropical Storm Henriette formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean southwest of Baja California on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Henriette was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 120.6°W which put the center about 895 miles (1440 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Henriette was moving toward the west-northwest 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 southwest of Baja California strengthened on Monday afternoon and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Henriette.
The distribution of thunderstorms in Tropical Storm Henriette was asymmetrical. Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the western side of Henriette’s circulation. Bands in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Henriette consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Henriette generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Henriette was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Henriette’s circulation.
Tropical Storm Henriette will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Henriette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°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 Henriette’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Henriette will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Henriette will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Henriette toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Henriette will move farther away from Baja California.
