Baja Weather

The 2008 Pacific hurricane season is an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It officially started May 15, 2008 in the eastern Pacific, started on June 1, 2008 in the central Pacific, and will last until November 30, 2008. In meteorology, a tropical cyclone (also referred to as a tropical depression, tropical storm, typhoon, or hurricane depending on strength and geographical context) is a type of low pressure system which generally forms in the tropics. While they can be highly destructive, tropical cyclones are an important part of the atmospheric circulation system, which moves heat from the equatorial region toward the higher latitudes.

On May 22, 2008, NOAA released their forecast for the 2008 Eastern Pacific and Central Pacific hurricane seasons. They predicted a below-normal level of activity in the Eastern Pacific, with 11 to 16 named storms, of which 5 to 8 were expected to become hurricanes, and 1 to 3 expected to become major hurricanes.[2] The Central Pacific basin was also expected to be slightly below average, with three to four tropical cyclones expected to form or cross into the area.

Hurricane Boris (75 mph) weakened to a tropical storm yesterday, but re-intensified into a minimal hurricane overnight. Boris is centered about 1210 miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and is forecast to move slowly westward and weaken with time.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Douglas (40 mph) has been christened off the west coast of Mexico. The storm, moving toward the northwest, is located about 380 miles south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, and is forecast to strengthen slowly over the next 24 hours. (more…)