Tropical Storm “Blanca” forms well to the southwest of Mexico

Tropical Storm "Blanca" formed at 21:00 UTC on May 31, 2021, as the second named storm of the 2021 Eastern Pacific hurricane season. This is the first time that 2 named storms have formed in the eastern North Pacific (to 140°W) prior to June 1 since 2013. Blanca is expected to remain over open waters and weaken into a tropical depression over the next three days.

At 09:00 UTC on June 1, Tropical Storm "Blanca" was located about 965 km (600 miles) south of the southern tip of Baja California, and about 530 km (330 miles) south-southeast of Socorro Island.

Blanca's maximum sustained winds were 95 km/h (60 mph) at the time, with gusts up to 110 km/h (70 mph). The minimum barometric pressure was 998 hPa, and the system was moving northwest at 11 km/h (7 mph).

Tropical Storm "Blanca" at 22:50 UTC on May 31, 2021. Credit: NOAA/GOES-16, RAMMB/CIRA, TW

A slower west-northwestward motion is expected during the next couple of days, followed by a slow westward motion.

Strengthening is possible today, followed by gradual weakening beginning tonight and continuing through late this week.

This is a small tropical cyclone with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 75 km (45 mph) from the center.

"Blanca is the 2^nd named storm of the eastern North Pacific 2021 hurricane season to date, Dr. Philip Klotzbach said.

"This is the first time that 2 named storms have formed in the eastern North Pacific (to 140°W) prior to June 1 since 2013."

Featured image: Tropical Storm "Blanca" at 22:50 UTC on May 31, 2021. Credit: NOAA/GOES-16, RAMMB/CIRA, TW