TS Barbara continues to strengthen, expected to become a major hurricane

Tropical Storm "Barbara" formed June 30 as the second named storm of the 2019 eastern Pacific Ocean hurricane season. The storm is expected to become a major hurricane as it continues moving W, away from the coast of Mexico.

At 09:00 UTC on July 1, the center of Tropical Storm "Barbara" was located about 1 445 km (895 miles) SSW of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. It had maximum sustained winds of 100 km/h (65 mph) with gusts to 120 km/h (75 mph). The minimum barometric pressure was 998 hPa.

The system is moving west at 33 km/h (21 mph). Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 220 km (140 miles) from the center.

Tropical Storm "Barbara" at 12:50 UTC on July 1, 2019. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East

A westward to west-northwestward motion at a slower forward speed is expected over the next few days.

Additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Barbara is expected to become a hurricane later today.

Featured image: Tropical Storm "Barbara" at 12:50 UTC on July 1, 2019. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East