Another hurricane might be on the horizon in the Pacific following Hurricane Kristy, which recently peaked at Category 5.
This new system is currently an area of low pressure located about 1,000 miles southwest of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula.
There’s a 20% chance it will develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours, and a 60% chance over the next week. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), “Environmental conditions are favorable for gradual development, and we could see a tropical depression forming in just a few days as it moves westward at around 15 mph.” The system is expected to transition into the central Pacific by the end of the week.
National Hurricane Center NHC
Tropical depressions, defined by low-pressure centers with winds under 38 mph, can escalate into tropical storms when wind speeds reach 39-73 mph. If this storm forms a name, it will be dubbed Tropical Storm Lane.
Hurricane Kristy, which has since diminished from its Category 5 status, was impacted by “Strong southwesterly vertical wind shear, dry air entrainment, and cool waters,” according to the NHC. They concluded that Kristy no longer qualifies as a tropical cyclone and is expected to dissipate completely by Monday.
In terms of seasonal timing, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, whereas the Pacific season is from May 15 to November 30 in the Eastern Pacific and from June 1 to November 30 in the Central Pacific.
Meanwhile, there’s a low-pressure area that may also develop in the Pacific with just a 20% chance of strengthening into a tropical cyclone this week. The NHC noted that this weak system is about 1,000 miles southwest of Mexico and might see some slow development in the next few days but is expected to face strong upper-level winds that could inhibit growth.
Additionally, another area of low pressure is forming in the southwestern Caribbean Sea with about a 40% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone over the next week.
The NHC commented on this Caribbean system, saying: “A broad area of low pressure is likely to develop in a few days. Gradual development is possible, and a tropical depression could form late this week or over the weekend as it drifts northward or northeastward.” If it strengthens into a tropical storm, it will be named Tropical Storm Patty.