08/23/2008 10:21 AM MDT Hurricane Hernan is beginning to degrade as it moes over cooler waters some 1185 miles WSW of Cabo San Lucas. Hernan is expected to continue to weaken over the few days until becoming a tropical depression on Tuesday.

Hurricane Hernan is located near 18.2N 127.5W and is moving 300° at 08kts. Central barometric pressure is estimated at 980 Mb and has winds estimated at 75kts with gusts to 90kts. The forecast calls for Hernan to weaken steadily over the next 2-3 days and disspate in the central Pacific without making landfall. Hernan is so far west of Baja it is unlike to affect our weather at all.

Tropical Storm Hernan formed from TD9E on the evening of August 6 about 650 miles SSW of Cabo San Lucas. The system that formed TD9E struggled to break free from the ITCZ for several days before development. Systems must be far enough north and free of the influence of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone before cyclonic development can occur. Hernan was upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane on the morning of August 8. Hernan continued to strengthen steadily over the next 24hrs and became the first major (category 3 to 5) of the 2008 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season. Hernan maintained Cat 3 strength through 8/9 and degraded rapidly to a Category 1 hurricane on the morning of 8/10.

Hernan continues to weaken and has passed well beyond the threat window to Baja California Sur. No further insider Information will be issued above. However, Graphics right and automated information below will be continually updated from the National hurricane Center.

Hurricane Hernan near its peak H3
Click to enlarge

Type	Category	Pres(mb)	Winds (knots)	Winds (mph)
Dep	TD	-----	< 34	< 39
Tropical Storm	TS	-----	34-63	39-73
Hurricane	1	> 980	64-82	74-95
Hurricane	2	965-980	83-95	96-110
Hurricane	3	945-965	96-113	111-130
Hurricane	4	920-945	114-135	131-155
Hurricane	5	< 920	>135	>155

Automated Information from the NHC

This information will be updated automatically and instantly from the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, as information is available.

Storm Specific Information for Hernan