At 1:00 PM CDT Thursday, the National Hurricane Center upgraded Tropical Depression Two-E in the East Pacific to Tropical Storm Beatriz. This was based on a 15:43 UTC ASCAT pass that showed a few vectors with winds near 40 knots (45 mph). On this basis, the intensity was increased to 40 knots (45 mph) with a minimum pressure of 1004 millibars. This ties Beatriz with May’s Tropical Storm Adrian as the strongest storm of the 2017 Pacific hurricane season.

Beatriz might have been slightly stronger overnight, as the ASCAT pass captured the cyclone after its appearance had already begun to degrade. Beatriz is unlikely to strengthen further, though, as the cyclone is very near the Mexican coast. Beatriz continues to move north-northeast at about 6 mph. Landfall should occur by 7:00 PM CDT tonight. A tropical storm warning is still in effect for the area. Despite the strengthening, the primary threat with Beatriz continues to be heavy rain.