MEXICO CITY—Tropical Storm Ivo formed on Wednesday, Aug. 21, off the southwestern coast of Mexico but was not forecast to pose a threat of landfall.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Ivo was expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Friday but remain well clear of the coast.
Tropical Storm #Ivo Advisory 5: Ivo Strengthening Well Offshore of Mexico. https://t.co/mbw53QNBXE
— NHC Eastern Pacific (@NHC_Pacific) August 22, 2019
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph). It was centered about 480 miles (770 kilometers) south of the tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula late Wednesday and was moving to the west-northwest at 18 mph (30 kph).
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Chantal out in the North Atlantic weakened into a tropical depression as it moved away from North America, also posing no threat to land.
This loop of Tropical Storm #Chantal was seen by #GOESEast on Aug. 21, 2019 via Day Cloud Phase Distinction RGB. It is now considered a tropical depression and is not threatening any land areas. More imagery: https://t.co/QNL83dFCpJ pic.twitter.com/rqAn17ppmQ
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) August 22, 2019
The storm’s center was about 580 miles (935 kilometers) south-southeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland, the hurricane center said. Chantal had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph) and was heading east-southeast at 18 mph (30 kph).
Tropical Depression #Chantal Advisory 7: Chantal Moving South of East Over the Open North Atlantic. https://t.co/VqHn0u1vgc
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 22, 2019
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect as a result of either storm.
Forecasters Expect Busier Hurricane Season
Government meteorologists say this year’s hurricane season may be busier than initially expected now that summer’s weak El Nino has faded away.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center said on Aug. 8 the Atlantic season looks more active than normal as peak hurricane season begins. Forecasters now expect 10 to 17 named storms, with five to nine hurricanes and two to four major ones.
NOAA’s *Updated* 2019 Atlantic #HurricaneSeason Outlook now calls for: 10-17 named storms of which 5-9 could become hurricanes, including 2-4 major hurricanes.
But remember: #ItOnlyTakesOne
https://t.co/QkQV4lugRb pic.twitter.com/tZL9Hu0922
— NOAA (@NOAA) August 8, 2019
In May, they forecast a normal season, one or two fewer named storms and hurricanes.
Forecaster Gerry Bell says the end of El Nino means more hospitable hurricane conditions. El Nino is the periodic warming of parts of the Pacific that affects weather worldwide and dampens storm activity.
Hurricane season is June through November. So far, there have been two named storms, with one hurricane.
