The system developed about a week before the official start of the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which begins May 15.
It’s not the first time a tropical system has developed before the official start of hurricane season. The eastern Pacific has had either a tropical depression or tropical storm form prior to the official season in three of the last five years.
This system began developing on Friday, and has since strengthened into a tropical depression. Tropical Depression One currently has sustained winds of 35 mph and is tracking to the northwest at 5 mph.
“Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and the system could become a tropical storm later today,” the National Hurricane Center said on Sunday morning.
If this tropical depression strengthens into a tropical storm as forecast over the next 12 to 24 hours, the first name on the list for the eastern Pacific is “Andres.”
Gradual weakening of the cyclone is forecast to began on Monday, with the system becoming a remnant low on Tuesday while traversing the eastern Pacific waters.
Hurricane season begins early
“You can also make a list of items to replenish hurricane emergency supplies and start thinking about how you will prepare your home for the coming hurricane season,” the hurricane center said.