Pair of tropical disturbances tagged as Invests 91E, 92E as Barbara and Cosme loom in eastern Pacific

The National Hurricane Center first designated the batch of developing thunderstorms farther away from the southwestern Mexican coast as Invest 91E. A few hours later, the cluster closer to the coast became Invest 92E.

Two clusters of thunderstorms in the Eastern Pacific Ocean could develop into named storms by the end of this weekend, but which one becomes Barbara and which one becomes Cosme, the basin's second and third named storms of the season respectively, remains somewhat of an open question.

But as the race to a name continues, both thunderstorm clusters were designated as invests Friday. 

The National Hurricane Center first designated the batch of developing thunderstorms farther away from the southwestern Mexican coast as Invest 91E. A few hours later, the cluster closer to the coast became Invest 92E. 

An "invest" designation signals an area of heightened interest and allows the National Hurricane Center to run a collection of specialized datasets and computer forecast model guidance on that area of disturbed weather. These computer models simulate the system’s projected track possibilities and predict its future intensity.

WHAT IS AN INVEST DURING HURRICANE SEASON?

The NHC is monitoring a second area to watch, closer to the Mexican coastline.

Both 91E and 92E have a 60% chance of developing into a tropical system over the weekend. 92E could potentially have impacts on Mexico's southwestern coast, according to the NHC.

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Invest 91E has organized somewhat quickly and is expected to see continued gradual development. It has an 80% chance of tropical development over the next 7 days.

WHAT IS AN INVEST DURING HURRICANE SEASON?

Invest 92E has a 70% chance of development over the next 7 days and thunderstorm activity has increased on the disturbance's eastern side, according to the Hurricane Center.

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Tropical activity has been increasing in the basin since the start of the hurricane season on May 15.

 Tropical Storm Alvin formed and quickly dissipated last week.

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