Tropical Storm Narda formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Sunday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Narda was located at latitude 15.3°N and longitude 100.5°W which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) south-southeast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Narda was moving toward the northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1005 mb.
A low pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico strengthened on Sunday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Narda.
The circulation around Tropical Storm Narda was slowly becoming more organized. Some thunderstorms began to develop near the center of Narda’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were starting to revolve around the center of Tropical Storm Narda.
The strongest winds were in the northern half of Tropical Storm Narda. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the northern side of Narda’s circulation. The winds in the southern side of Tropical Storm Narda were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Narda will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Narda will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge that is over northern Mexico. The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Narda’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The moderate vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be enough to stop intensification. Tropical Storm Narda could intensify on Monday if the vertical wind shear does not increase.
Tropical Storm Narda will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over Mexico and the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Narda toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Narda will remain west of the coast of Mexico.
