Tropical Storm Pilar Recent world climate News
Meteorologists are closely monitoring the movement of Tropical Storm Pilar, currently drifting off the coast of El Salvador. There is a potential for rapid intensification, similar to what we witnessed with Otis and Norma earlier this month.
Tropical Depression 19-E formed in the eastern Pacific on Saturday afternoon, a few hundred miles southwest of El Salvador. Under favorable conditions, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm by Sunday evening. US Meteorologist noted that water temperatures in the region are well above the necessary 80-degree threshold for tropical development, with temperatures in the 80s°F.
Additionally, there is very little wind shear affecting the system. Wind shear, represented by strong or shifting winds, can impede tropical development, but in this case, it is minimal.
Low wind shear and warm waters were also present when Otis rapidly intensified earlier this week. Otis transformed from a 70-mph tropical storm to a powerful 160-mph Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale in just 12 hours.
It made landfall near Acapulco with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, causing significant damage. Otis holds the distinction of being the only Category 5 hurricane on record to strike the Acapulco area.
The current system has ample time to develop through the weekend and into early next week, with a chance of becoming a hurricane with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher. “Tropical Storm Pilar is likely to track farther south along the coast compared to Otis,” Douty mentioned.
While this is positive news for Acapulco, which is still recovering from Otis, Pilar could pose a significant threat to areas farther south along the Pacific coast if it veers eastward or northeastward.
The local Meteorology Department is forecasting a meandering path for Tropical Storm Pilar over the weekend. It is expected to turn eastwards in the early to middle part of the following week, with potential landfall anywhere from Nicaragua to the southern region of Mexico. However, the system’s path may be influenced by light steering breezes, and there is no guarantee it will make landfall.
Wherever Tropical Storm Pilar makes landfall, there is a risk of heavy rain, flash flooding, mudslides, damaging winds, and storm surge. The severity of these conditions will depend on Pilar’s strength as it approaches the coast and moves inland. Coastal areas from Nicaragua to the Mexican state of Chiapas could experience downpours and rough surf.
The current forecast for Tropical Storm Pilar anticipates wind gusts of 40-60 mph (65-95 km/h) impacting much of El Salvador and the far southeastern coast of Guatemala, along with 4-8 inches (100-200 mm) of rainfall from Monday through Wednesday.
It’s worth noting that Tropical Storm Pilar has formed further south than usual. According to US Meteorologists, if Pilar makes landfall in El Salvador, it will only be the second named storm on record to do so, with the first being Selma in 2017.
US Meteorologists will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates as it approaches land.
Recent Climate – Tropical Storm Pilar