Tropical Storm Kristy formed over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean south of Mexico on Monday. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Kristy was located at latitude 13.5°N and longitude 102.0°W which put the center about 275 miles (440 km) south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Kristy was moving toward the west at 17 m.p.h. (28 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 Monday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Kristy. More thunderstorms formed near the center of Kristy’s circulation. Thunderstorms also developed in bands revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Kristy. Storms near the center of Kristy began to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.
The distribution of wind speeds in Tropical Storm Kristy was asymmetrical. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern side of Kristy’s circulation. The winds in the southern part of Tropical Storm Kristy were blowing at less than tropical storm force.
Tropical Storm Kristy will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Kristy will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge over the Eastern North Pacific. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Storm Kristy will intensify during the next 24 hours. Kristy is likely to strengthen to a hurricane by the middle of this week.
Tropical Storm Kristy will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Kristy toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Kristy will move away from the coast of Mexico.
