Tropical Storm Gil is churning in the Pacific Ocean and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that the storm will strengthen into a hurricane over the next day or so.
As of its most recent public advisory at 8:00 a.m. PST, the NHC reports that tropical storm Gil is located approximately 920 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
Gil is currently moving on a west-northwesterly path at approximately 14 mph. This general motion is expected to continue over the next day or so.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to 60 mph with higher gusts being reported. Tropical storm force winds are extending out up to 90 miles from the center of the storm.
Currently there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Gil was first established as a tropical depression on July 30 well off well to the southwest of the Mexican coast, with winds gusting no more than 30 mph. Later on in the day the depression was officially upgraded to a tropical storm as winds increased to near 40 mph. By that evening, Gil became a much more organized tropical storm rolling through the Pacific.
On Wednesday, July 31 Gil continued to strengthen as the NHC released a public advisory at approximately 2:00 a.m. PST indicating that winds were recorded up to 50 mph with higher gusts. Moving near 24 mph, a turn toward the west with a decrease in forward speed was predicted by Thursday.
By 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, forecasters say they expect Gil to continue to strengthen as winds reached 60 miles per hour. For the tropical storm to officially be upgraded to a hurricane, winds must reach 74 mph.
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