Tropical Storm Juliette formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California early on Monday. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Julliette was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 111.8°W which put the center about 440 miles (770 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Juliette was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 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 1003 mb.
A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Baja California strengthened early on Monday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Juliette.
More thunderstorms were developing near the center of Tropical Storm Juliette on Monday morning. Thunderstorms were also forming in bands revolving around the center of Juliette’s circulation. Storms near the center of Juliette began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.
The strongest winds were occurring in the northern side of Tropical Storm Juliette. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 50 miles (80 km) in the northern side of Juliette’s circulation. The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Juliette were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Juliette will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Juliette will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southwestern part of an upper level ridge centered over Mexico. The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Juliette’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but he wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Juliette will intensify during the next 24 hours.
Tropical Storm Juliette will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Juliette toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Juliette will move southwest of Baja California.
