Tropical Storm Erick has formed in the Pacific far off the western coast of Mexico and is predicted to become a hurricane by Monday night as it moves over open waters on a path that could take it near the Hawaiian Islands by late in the coming week.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said that Saturday night the storm was about 1,345 miles (2,165 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and 1,955 miles (3,145 kilometers) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. It was moving westward at 17 mph (28 kph). Erick had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph).
The storm was about 1,410 miles southwest of the tip of Baja California early Sunday and there were no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Here is a recent longwave infrared satellite image of recently named Tropical Storm Erick in the eastern Pacific Ocean between Baja Californina and Hawaii. Maximum sustain winds are 40 mph. pic.twitter.com/mz88WjCTfR
— National Weather Service (@NWS) July 28, 2019
“Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts,” the National Hurricane Center said. “Strengthening is forecast, and Erick is expected to become a hurricane on Monday with continued strengthening through Tuesday.”
CNN meteorologist Robert Shackleford said the storm is tracking west toward Hawaii at 16 mph, and is expected to affect the state around Friday.
NEW: Tropical Storm #Erick has formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The forecast calls for continued strengthening into a hurricane this week. Folks in Hawaii should monitor this forecast! Full story -> https://t.co/ScJQeikspm pic.twitter.com/6MBZqwEeK4
— WeatherNation (@WeatherNation) July 28, 2019
While it will most likely approach Hawaii as a tropical storm with weaker winds, it’ll still bring a lot of rainfall. But it’s too far out to determine what the rainfall potential will be, he said.
The CNN Wire contributed to this report.
