Published: September 22, 2011
New Hurricane 'Hilary' to Take Shape Along Mexico's Coast
By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist for AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather.com reports unlike newly-formed Tropical Storm Ophelia, Tropical Storm Hilary just offshore of Mexico is expected to gain hurricane strength and pose a greater danger to land in the upcoming days.
Both the Atlantic and the eastern Pacific oceans came alive tropically Wednesday night with the formation of Ophelia and Tropical Depression Nine-E, which strengthened into Tropical Storm Hilary Wednesday morning.
Ophelia developed over the open waters of the central Atlantic, halfway between the western coast of Africa and the Lesser Antilles. Nine-E took shape much closer to land, less than 200 miles south of Mexico's southern coast.
While Ophelia will have a tough time intensifying, the warm waters of the eastern Pacific and a lack of wind shear (strong winds high in the atmosphere) should allow Hilary to strengthen into a hurricane through Friday.
According to the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, Hilary is expected to move out to sea this weekend.
However, according to Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, a trough of low pressure in the northern Pacific will move closer to the west coast of North America next week.
"Depending on how far south and east that trough progresses will determine if the system boomerangs back to the east, closer to the coast of Mexico later next week," Sosnowski said.
However, the system may pass close enough to graze Mexico's southern coast, including Acapulco, with gusty and drenching bands of rain later this week.
Surf along the coast will also turn extremely rough and dangerous for swimmers.
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