Update 2:15 p.m. PDT: TD Six-E has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Erick by the NHC.

Tropical Depression Six-E over the eastern Pacific is close to intensifying into a tropical storm.

As of 11:00 a.m. HST (5:00 p.m. EDT), Tropical Depression Six-E was centered near 11.6°N 125.3°W, and was moving westward at about 18 mph. Maximum sustained winds were 30 knots (35 mph), with an estimated minimum pressure of 1006 mb. A recently-arrived ASCAT-C pass suggests Six-E is close to becoming a tropical storm, if it is not one already. With wind shear less than 10 knots and sea surface temperatures of about 28°C, some intensification appears likely over the next few days. The National Hurricane Center’s intensity forecast only calls for Six-E to be a minimal hurricane, but it’s quite possible more intensification than that occurs considering how conducive the environment is for intensification. In about 4-5 days, though, shear could start to increase as Six-E (likely Erick by then) approaches Hawaii. Six-E should continue moving westward to west-northwestward over the coming days, and it remains too early to tell if Six-E will impact the Hawaiian islands.