Tropical Storm Fausto Forming in Pacific

This map shows the probability that a tropical depression in the Pacific could spawn tropical storm-force winds. If it reaches tropical storm strength, as predicted, it would be named Fausto, the fifth named storm in the eastern Pacific in 2008. Green represents a 5% chance, and purple a 100% chance. Hurricane Elida's winds are also depicted in this July 16 chart.

Photo: National Hurricane Center

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Forecasters say a tropical depression in the eastern Pacific about 560 miles southeast of Acapulco, Mexico is likely to form into Tropical Storm Fausto later today.

The storm, which would be the fifth named storm in the eastern Pacific and the fourth in three weeks. So far in the Pacific, only Tropical Storm Alma, which formed in late May and soaked Central America in the first days of June, has affected people on land.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center have predicted that conditions will spawn a below-average storm season in the eastern Pacific, with 11-16 named storms, including 5-8 hurricanes, as many as three of them major (Category 3 or greater) storms.

Hurricane Elida, the second hurricane of the Eastern Pacific, continues to move westward and away from land. In the next day, Elida is expected to weaken as it hits cooler waters, according to the latest forecast from The National Hurricane Center.

In the Atlantic, long-lived and surprising Tropical Storm Bertha, on the other hand, is expected to gain strength as it takes a turn to the southeast in the Atlantic. It is not expected to threaten land again; it knocked out power and dumped heavy rains on Bermuda July 14, just after losing hurricane strength. It was the Atlantic's first hurricane and its first major hurricane.

Forecasters said a storm heading for the Windward Islands could form into a tropical depression, or even a tropical storm, over the next couple of days. If it reaches tropical storm strength, it would be named Christobal.

Forecasters have predicted an above-average hurricane season for the Atlantic, where the storms most damaging to the U.S. form, could spawn 12 to 16 named storms, including six to nine hurricanes and as many as five major hurricanes.

2008 Tropical Storms and Hurricanes - Pacific

Tropical Storm Alma brought heavy rains and winds to the Central American nations of Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala after forming May 29.

Hurricane Boris formed near Baja California and headed west into the Pacific, before reaching hurricane strength July 1.

Tropical Storm Cristina formed near Hawaii June 29 but dissipated before making landfall.

Tropical Storm Douglas formed July 2 and threatened to dump heavy rains on portions of southwest Mexico.

Hurricane Elida formed July 12 as a tropical storm and became the season's second Pacific hurricane July 14 when it became a weak Category 1 storm tracking westward from Mexico.

Tropical Depression 7-E is expected to grow into Tropical Storm Fausto July 16.

2008 Tropical Storm and Hurricane Names - Pacific

Genevieve
Hernan
Iselle
Julio
Karina
Lowell
Marie
Norbert
Odile
Polo
Rachel
Simon
Trudy
Vance
Winnie
Xavier
Yolanda
Zeke

2008 Tropical Storms and Hurricanes - Atlantic

Tropical Storm Arthur formed quickly on May 31 off Belize and lost tropical storm strength in fewer than 24 hours, amd brought punishing rains of 10-15 inches to parts of the Yucatán Peninsula, including Mexico and Guatemala.


NOAA

Hurricane Bertha after forming as a tropical storm July 3 in the far eastern Atlantic, Hurricane Bertha debuted as the Atlantic's first hurricane July 7 and quickly grew to major hurricane status. By the time it affected land, July 14 in Bermuda, it was a strong tropical storm, causing rough surf and threatening 3-5 inches of rain, but forecasters said it could strengthen, or even re-gain hurricane status after passing the island.


NASA

2008 Tropical Storm and Hurricane Names - Atlantic

Christobal
Dolly
Edouard
Fay
Gustav
Hanna
Ike
Josephine
Kyle
Laura
Marco
Nana
Omar
Paloma
Rene
Sally
Teddy
Vicky
Wilfred

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