CLOSE Heat index today could reach 101 in your Treasure Coast forecast for Aug. 2, 2018. CHERYL MCCLOUD/TCPALM Wochit

Hurricane Hector Aug. 2, 2018 (Photo: GRAPHIC CONTRIBUTED BY NOAA)

Tropics

Pacific

Hector becomes the fourth hurricane of the eastern Pacific's hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center said Hector's winds are holding at 110 mph.

Location: 1,265 miles west-southwest of Baja California

Maximum sustained winds: 110 mph

Movement: west at 13 mph

The eye of Hurricane Hector was located 1,265 miles west-southwest of Baja California, according to the latest advisory.

Hurricane Hector and other systems being monitored by National Hurricane Center. (Photo: PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY NOAA)

More: Experts revise hurricane prediction for this season

Hector is moving toward the west near 13 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next few days.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 110 mph, with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected tonight and Friday. Strengthening is expected after that, and Hector is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane by Saturday.

#Hector is now the 4th #hurricane of the eastern Pacific hurricane season. Now while the storm is expected to pass south of Hawaii next week, the islands should still monitor for potential impacts. (Graphic does not reflect current hurricane status.) pic.twitter.com/omSWkimBIX — Hurricane Tracker App (@hurrtrackerapp) August 2, 2018

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles.

Elsewhere in the Pacific, two systems are being watched.

Disorganized showers and thunderstorms centered several hundred miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, are associated with a tropical wave.

More: July active month for Atlantic basin, with formation of two hurricanes

Pacific tropical conditions Aug. 2, 2018. (Photo: GRAPHIC CONTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER)

Environmental conditions appear marginally conducive for gradual development of this system during the next few days as it moves generally west across the tropical eastern Pacific.

By early next week, proximity to another low pressure system could limit further development of this disturbance.

Formation chance through 48 hours: 10 percent.

Formation chance through 5 days: 30 percent.

CLOSE From securing your home to backing up your files, how to prepare for a hurricane. GINNY BEAGAN/TCPALM Wochit

An area of disturbed weather has formed several hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form early next week while it moves west-northwest off the coast of Mexico.

Formation chance through 48 hours: 10 percent.

Formation chance through 5 days: 80 percent.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

Atlantic

Next wave of Saharan dust is massive and will this time envelope Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles by early next week.



Animation over next 5 days (data @CopernicusEU GIF @weathermodels_) pic.twitter.com/1bxivWqKWd — Ryan Maue | weathermodels.com (@RyanMaue) August 2, 2018

Nothing is forecast to form in the Atlantic over the next two days.

July was an active month for the Atlantic basin, with two hurricanes. Typically, one named storm forms in the basin in July, with a hurricane forming once every other year.

More: Have no fear, African dust helping to prevent hurricanes from forming

In July, two hurricanes formed during the month. Hurricane Beryl July 5-15 with maximum winds of 80 mph and Hurricane Chris July 6-12, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

Next wave of Saharan dust is massive and will this time envelope Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles by early next week.



Animation over next 5 days (data @CopernicusEU GIF @weathermodels_) pic.twitter.com/1bxivWqKWd — Ryan Maue | weathermodels.com (@RyanMaue) August 2, 2018

The Hurricane Center said activity in the Atlantic basin so far in 2018 is above normal.

August is one of the most active months in the Atlantic basin due to warmer seas, lower wind shear, less Saharan dry air and stronger waves, according to the National Weather Service out of Key West.

One-hundred-year average of storms in the Atlantic basin. (Photo: GRAPHIC CONTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE)

Forecast

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 101. Light southeast wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

More: Tired of thunderstorms? Saharan dust from Africa can help with that, too

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Rain chances

Today: 30%

Friday: 30%

Saturday: 0%

Sunday: 30%

Monday: 30%

Read or Share this story: https://www.tcpalm.com/story/weather/2018/08/02/hurricane-season-enters-busy-period-heat-index-could-hit-101-today/887583002/</s>Hector grows to hurricane force over the Pacific Ocean

MEXICO CITY (AP) — A new hurricane has formed far out in the Pacific Ocean and forecasters say they expect it to continue gaining force.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Hector will continue to move deeper into the Pacific and won't pose a threat to land over the next few days, but it could grow into a major hurricane.

Hector had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph) Thursday morning. It was centered about 1,135 miles (1,825 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula and it was moving toward the west at 14 mph (22 kph).</s>MEXICO CITY — Hurricane Hector has formed far out in the Pacific Ocean and forecasters say they expect it to continue gaining force.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Hector will continue to move deeper into the Pacific and won’t pose a threat to land over the next few days, but it could grow into a major hurricane.

Hector had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph) Thursday night. It was centred about 1,265 miles (2,040 kilometres) west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula and it was moving toward the west at 13 mph (20 kph).</s>MEXICO CITY (AP) — A new hurricane has formed far out in the Pacific Ocean and forecasters say they expect it to continue gaining force.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Hector will continue to move deeper into the Pacific and won’t pose a threat to land over the next few days, but it could grow into a major hurricane.

It was centered about 1,135 miles (1,825 kilometers) west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula and it was moving toward the west at 14 mph (22 kph).

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>Hurricane Hector, the first major storm of the 2018 Central Pacific hurricane season, intensified Thursday but is still a week or so away from any potential impact on local weather.</s>Hector becomes the fourth hurricane of the eastern Pacific's hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center said Hector's winds are now at 85 mph.

The eye of Hurricane Hector was located 1,135 miles west-southwest of Baja California, according to the latest advisory.

More: Experts revise hurricane prediction for this season

Hector is moving toward the west near 14 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue for the next few days.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85 mph, with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next few days.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles.

Elsewhere in the Pacific, two systems are being watched.

Disorganized showers and thunderstorms centered several hundred miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, are associated with a tropical wave.

More: July active month for Atlantic basin, with formation of two hurricanes

Environmental conditions appear marginally conducive for gradual development of this system during the next few days as it moves generally west across the tropical eastern Pacific.

By early next week, proximity to another low pressure system could limit further development of this disturbance.

An area of disturbed weather has formed several hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form early next week while it moves west-northwest off the coast of Mexico.

Nothing is forecast to form in the Atlantic over the next two days.

July was an active month for the Atlantic basin, with two hurricanes. Typically, one named storm forms in the basin in July, with a hurricane forming once every other year.

More: Have no fear, African dust helping to prevent hurricanes from forming

In July, two hurricanes formed during the month. Hurricane Beryl July 5-15 with maximum winds of 80 mph and Hurricane Chris July 6-12, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

The Hurricane Center said activity in the Atlantic basin so far in 2018 is above normal.

August is one of the most active months in the Atlantic basin due to warmer seas, lower wind shear, less Saharan dry air and stronger waves, according to the National Weather Service out of Key West.

Today: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 101. Light southeast wind increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

More: Tired of thunderstorms? Saharan dust from Africa can help with that, too

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 10 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.</s>As the intensity of Hurricane Hector fluctuates, the National Hurricane Center expects it to become a major hurricane soon.

At 5 a.m., the eye of Hurricane Hector was located 1,320 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.

More: July active month for Atlantic basin, with formation of two hurricanes

Hector is moving toward the west near 12 mph. This general motion is expected to continue through the weekend.

More: Have no fear, African dust helping to prevent hurricanes from forming

Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph, with higher gusts. Some gradual strengthening is forecast, and Hector is expected to become a major hurricane within the next day or two.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles.

Elsewhere in the Pacific, the Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves.

One of the waves is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms several hundred miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.

Environmental conditions appear marginally conducive for gradual development of this system during the next few days as it moves slowly west-northwest or northwest. By early next week, proximity to another low pressure system could limit further

 development of this disturbance.

An area of disturbed weather centered several hundred miles south-southwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec remains poorly organized.

However, environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for development during the next several days, and a tropical depression is likely to form by early next week while it moves west-northwest off the coast of Mexico.

No new tropical cyclones are expected during the next five days.

More: Hurricane Matthew: By the numbers</s>Although Hurricane Hector weakened slightly overnight, weather officials still expect the storm to strengthen into a major hurricane this weekend.</s>Newly formed Tropical Storm Hector gained some strength today as it blew over the Eastern Pacific, on its way to the Central Pacific.</s>Just as we enter peak hurricane season — considered globally as occurring in the month of September — a tropical storm currently far of the eastern coast of Mexico in the Pacific is headed toward Hawaii, and is expected to become a hurricane by the weekend.

The AP reports, citing new data from the US National Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Hector is gaining strength as it moves deeper into the Pacific:

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Hector would gradually strengthen and reach hurricane strength by late Friday or early Saturday, but it also said the storm would continue to move deeper into the Pacific and would not pose any threat to land. Hector had maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 kph) Wednesday night. It was centered about 1,010 miles (1,630 kilometers) southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula and it was moving toward the west at 12 mph (19 kph).

Though currently still nearly 2,000 miles to the east-southeast of Hawaii, The Weather Channel forecasts a "strong tropical system" on a straight westward trajectory that would put it "several hundred miles south of the Hawaiian island chain" resulting it increasing swells; however, a number of factors could result in a significant impact on the southern part of Hawaii.

According The Weather Channel's analysis, a slight northward shift in Hector's current trajectory would bring it closer to Hawaii's path, though still too early to tell:

Two temporary dips in the jet stream might drop far enough south to bring Hector on a slightly more northward path. The first of these dips occurs late this week, but it will likely occur too far ahead of Hector to affect it greatly. The second dip in the jet stream could be closer to Hector, and it arrives early next week. It is too early to know how strong that dip in the jet stream might be or how much northward pull it could have on Hector since that is nearly a week away, but it is something we will watch. A few computer models are showing this early next week.

And while still to early to know the potential impact on Hawaii — whether merely increased swells or a more direct path to the south — the storm is expected to pass into the Central Pacific early next week.

Multiple reports say the tropical storm's additional strengthening is forecast to occur over the next several days.

So far it's been a quiet summer for hurricanes and tropical storms heading into the peak of the season, with two hurricanes in the Atlantic in early July, hurricanes Beryl and Chris, which formed around the same time, but which fizzled out in the West Atlantic and were considered weak and unremarkable.

However, as Hector continues on its westward path in the direction of Hawaii, forecasters expect it to become a Category 2 hurricane by early next week, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.
Hurricane Hector becomes the fourth named hurricane of the eastern Pacific's hurricane season.