Tropical Low Pressure Zone Ripped Apart

Hurricanes are ripped apart by wind shear. Called a hurricane-breaker, wind shear can stop a tropical depression or tropical storm from forming. Such was the case this week when a tropical low pressure zone in the Eastern Pacific was being monitored for its potential to form into the first tropical depression of the season. The Honduras Low was accompanied by a series of thunderstorms about 850 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja, California. Strong and dry winds from the southwest helped to 'de-fuel' the low pressure system. Normally, low wind shear and moist air are prime ingredients in fueling a hurricane or tropical storm.

Earlier in the week, the National Hurricane Center gave the low pressure system a 30% chance of developing into a tropical depression. Although the chances were low, thate was the same statistic given to Tropical Depression 1 in the Atlantic that formed on May 28 south of Providence, Rhode Island.