The National Hurricane Center is tracking a disturbance and a tropical wave in the Atlantic Ocean.
Tropical storms Henriette and Ivo continue to develop in the Pacific Ocean.

Tropical storms Henriette and Ivo continue to develop in the Pacific Ocean, commanding storm watchers' attention now that Tropical Storm Dexter has spun away from the U.S. into the north-central Atlantic.

The National Hurricane Center in an advisory on Friday morning, Aug. 8, cautioned those along the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula and the coast of southwestern Mexico to monitor Tropical Storm Ivo, which could develop into a hurricane on Friday. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Henriette continues to strengthen to hurricane intensity, but its path should miss Hawaii, the center said in an advisory.

The center issued no new forecasts for Tropical Storm Dexter as it presented no further threat to land.

The center also downgraded a weak area of low pressure in the Atlantic Ocean, a few hundred miles off the shore of North Carolina, giving the disturbance only a 10% of becoming a tropical or subtropical development over the weekend.

A tropical wave, currently producing "disorganized shower activity" in the central tropical Atlantic, could develop into a tropical depression late this weekend or early next week as it moves west-northwestward, said the NHC, which gave it 60% chance of development in the next seven days.

Atlantic storm tracker

In the Pacific, Tropical Storms Henriette and Ivo

Both tropical storms in the Pacific are expected to develop into hurricanes, but do not pose an eminent threat to the U.S., according to NHC forecasters.

Tropical Storm Ivo, located about 180 miles south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California, is expected to become a hurricane before it begins weakening over the weekend. The storm is producing maximum sustained winds of nearly 60 mph with higher gusts. As it moves west-northwest at 21 mph, Ivo is expected to pass well south of the Baja California peninsula.

However, Ivo will likely generate swells that could bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to Baja California on Friday and the southwestern coast of Mexico this weekend, the center said. The storm is expected to bring 1-2 inches of rain to western Mexico, the NHC said.

Tropical Storm Henriette, located about 975 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, continued to move west at 17 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, the center said. Henriette is expected to gradually strengthen to hurricane strenght over the weekend as it moves to the west-northwest and then the northwest over the weekend. "Confidence remains high that Henriette will remain far to the north of Hawaii," the NHC said early Friday, Aug. 8.

Pacific storm tracker: Henriette and Ivo

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.

A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare now for hurricanes

Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends.

Prepare now for hurricanes: Here's what you should do to stay safe before a storm arrives

  • Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
  • Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
  • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
  • Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
  • Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings.

Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storms Henriette and Ivo expected to become hurricanes: See tracker

Reporting by Mike Snider, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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