image: This image of Tropical Storm Emilia was taken on July 24 at 17:15 UTC (1:15 p.m. EDT) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES). The image was created by NASA's GOES Project Office at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. At 15:00 UTC (11 a.m. EDT) the center of Tropical storm Emilia was located near 18.7 north latitude and 110.1 west longitude. The morning of July 24, the Mexican government dropped its tropical storm watch as Emilia moved out into the waters of the eastern Pacific Ocean. At noon EDT on July 24, Emilia's estimated minimum central pressure was 994 millibars, with maximum sustained winds of 63 mph (55 knots) with gusts to 74 mph (65 knots). Present movement toward the west-northwest at 9 mph (8 knots). Emilia continues to be steered west-northwestward by a strong area of high pressure, which is located over the southwestern U.S. Emilia is expected soon turn more northwestward as it reaches the southwestern edge of the high pressure. The National Hurricane Center forecast discussion states that Emilia will move over warm water for the next 24 hours, and likely strengthen into a hurricane. Thereafter, Emilia is expected to move over cooler water and into more stable environment which will lead to rapid weakening. The Hurricane Center then expects that Emilia will be downgraded to a low pressure system in about 4 days. view more
Credit: Image Credit: NASA/GOES Project Office. Caption Credit: Rob Gutro, NASA/GSFC from information from the National Hurricane Center.