Potential Tropical Cyclone 4-E expected to become Tropical Storm Dalila in Eastern Pacific
The National Hurricane Center is also watching a second area for potential tropical development in the Eastern Pacific due east of Potential Tropical Cyclone 4-E.
Potential Tropical Storm 4-E expected to become Dalila soon
Potential Tropical Storm 4-E is expected to become Dalila within the next 2 days. The current forecast brings future Dalila to near hurricane strength by Saturday, however there is uncertainty in the forecast due to questions in how quickly the system consolidates and the limiting wind shear.
Editor's note: Tropical Depression Four-E has formed, and this story is no longer being updated. Updates on this storm have moved here.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Four-E has been designated in the Eastern Pacific and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Dalila on Friday.
A potential tropical cyclone designation allows the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue forecasts before a tropical depression, storm or hurricane has developed.
PTC Four-E has developed in an area that has seen a lot of tropical activity early this Eastern Pacific hurricane season.
"There continues to be a pocket of atmosphere off the coast of Mexico that’s quite conducive to tropical development," FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said Friday morning.
The 2025 Eastern Pacific hurricane season has already seen its first hurricane develop in Barbara, which briefly reached Category 1 strength on Monday before dissipating over colder waters Tuesday.
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PTC 4-E is likely to become Tropical Storm Dalila on Friday
Wind speeds within PTC Four-E have picked up in an area of warm water about 340 miles off the coast of Mexico. When it attains tropical storm status, PTC Four-E will be named Dalila.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts possible as the wind is expected to increase in strength over the coming days. Rainfall totals ranging from 2 to 4 inches, with localized amounts of up to 6 inches, are possible across portions of Mexican states such as Guerrero, Michoacan and Colima through this weekend.
The system is also expected to generate life-threatening surf and rip current conditions for those same areas.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, this system is expected to take a track similar to Barbara, which deteriorated rapidly as it moved north into colder waters and farther away from land.
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Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for the southwestern coast of Mexico from Manzanillo to just west of Acapulco.
(FOX Weather)
Second area to watch in Eastern Pacific
The NHC is also watching a second area for potential tropical development in the Eastern Pacific due east of PTC Four-E, offshore of southern Mexico and Central America.
Norcross said this area to watch could possibly have impacts on Acapulco.
"Early projections show a potential storm track just offshore of Acapulco toward the end of next week, though the forecast is quite uncertain," he notes.
Wind gusts are expected to increase in strength over the coming days. Warm water temperatures will help the chances of a tropical cyclone. If winds reach 40 mph this system would be named Erick. Water temperatures of 80 degrees or higher are needed to sustain tropical development.
Meanwhile, continued hostile conditions will prevent tropical development over the Gulf, Caribbean, and Tropical Atlantic, according to Norcross.
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