Tropical Storm Kiko formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii on Sunday. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Kiko was located at latitude 14.4°N and longitude 123.1°W which put the center about 1045 miles (1680 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Kiko was moving toward the west at 9 m.p.h. (15 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 1007 mb.
A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii strengthened on Sunday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Kiko.
Tropical Storm Kiko exhibited more organization on Sunday morning. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Kiko’s circulation. More thunderstorms also developed in bands in the western side of Tropical Storm Kiko. Bands in the eastern side of Kiko’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Storms near the center of Kiko began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the west of the tropical storm.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Kiko was small. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 35 miles in the northern side of Kiko’s circulation. The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Kiko were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Kiko will move through an environment favorable for intensification. Kiko will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. It will move under the southern part 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 Kiko’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the wind shear will not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Kiko will intensify during the next 24 hours. Kiko could strengthen to a hurricane in a couple of days.
Tropical Storm Kiko will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Kiko toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kiko will move toward the Central Pacific Ocean.
