Tropical Storm Odile strengthens off Mexico's coast, watches issued
Digital Reporter
Thursday, September 11, 2014, 10:29 AM - Tropical Storm Odile continues to gradually strengthen off Mexico's southern coast prompting a tropical storm watch from Lazaro Cardenas to Manzanillo.
"Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by Friday," says the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
EXTENDED ACTIVE WEATHER COVERAGE: Tune in to The Weather Network for live updates on the summer storms in your area. Our team of reporters and meteorologists in the field provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date coverage.
Dangerous swells from Odile are expected to begin affecting portions of the southwestern coast of Mexico within the next day or so.
"These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," warns the NHC.
"How close Odile tracks to the southern Baja peninsula remains uncertain," adds weather.com. "The closest approach of the center to the southern Baja peninsula would be late Sunday into Monday."
September 11: Atlantic hurricane season peak
Despite a calmer than average season so far, the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season has reached its peak.
"When looking at long-term averages of hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic Basin, there is a broad maximum from late August through September, with a peak occurring around September 11," says weather.com.
Scientists say calm water and early signs of an El Niño event will continue into the second half of the season.
EL NINO TO BLAME? NOAA predicts somewhat subdued Atlantic hurricane season for 2014.
"If El Niño develops, it could make the already suppressive atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic even less conducive to hurricane formation," says NOAA’s hurricane outlook.
So far this year, only four tropical storms have been named, with three reaching hurricane status. No major hurricanes have formed yet.
The initial outlook released in May predicted 8 to 13 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 2 major hurricanes, NOAA says.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
