Hurricane Odile slowly intensifying along Mexico's southern Pacific coast
Digital Reporter
Saturday, September 13, 2014, 4:22 PM - Odile is now a weak hurricane, slowly intensifying as it spins northwest along Mexico's southern Pacific coast.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Odile's maximum sustained winds had increased to 130 km/h by late Saturday morning. Its centre was about 810 km south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California and moving to the northwest at 9 km/h.
Tropical Storm Edouard remained far out in the eastern Atlantic, and posed no threat to land.
RELATED: Odile to kick up dangerous surf along the Mexican Coast, Edouard forms in the Atlantic
The hurricane centre says Edouard, the fifth named tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, had sustained winds of 85 km/h. It was centred 1,735 km east of the northern Leeward Islands and moving northwest at 20 km.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Edouard formed in the far eastern Atlantic on Thursday, but is expected to remain far out at sea.
No coastal watches or warnings have been issued as the storm is forecast to stay over the open waters of the north central Atlantic.
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.
El Niño to blame? NOAA predicts somewhat subdued Atlantic hurricane season for 2014
Scientists say calm water and early signs of an El Niño event will continue into the second half of the season.
"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 five 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.
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With files from The Associated Press
