The GOES-11 satellite (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Rick on October 20 at 7:30 a.m. PDT (11:30 a.m. EDT), and it showed that the northern edge of Rick’s clouds were already over the southern Baja. On October 20th at 10:50 a.m. EDT (7:50 PDT), the airport at San Jose del Cabo, Baja California, Mexico ,was reporting light rain, and light winds from the west at 2 mph. A tropical storm warning is in effect for southern Baja California, from Agua Blanca to Buena Vista, including Cabo San Lucas. Tropical storm conditions are expected within 24 hours. A tropical storm watch is in effect for mainland Mexico from Roblito to Altata, and for southern Baja California from Buena Vista to La Paz. Tropical storm conditions are likely within 36 hours.
At 8 a.m. PDT (11 a.m. EDT) today, October 20, Tropical Storm Rick had maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. His center was 90 miles north of Socorro Island, and 200 miles south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Cabo San Lucas is the southern-most city on the Baja. Rick was located near latitude 20.1 north and longitude 110.8 west, and moving northeast near 7 mph. Minimum central pressure is estimated near 991 millibars. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km) from the center, so that’s why Cabo San Lucas had very light winds at 10:50 a.m. EDT. Rick’s center was too far away. The National Hurricane Center is now forecasting Rick’s center to pass near or to the south of the southern tip of Baja California tonight or early Wednesday, and approach the western coast of mainland Mexico on Wednesday. (Credit: Hal Pierce, SSAI/NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
