 A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on May 14 , which is believed to have been the impetus to Barbara . The wave axis crossed Central America on May 25 and emerged into the eastern North Pacific Ocean the next day . Interacting with the Intertropical Convergence Zone , a broad surface low pressure area developed within the area on May 27 , and as it drifted northward the system maintained limited and disorganized convection . On May 29 , convection increased and became concentrated near the low pressure center , and banding features developed in its eastern semicircle as the circulation became better defined . It is estimated the system formed into Tropical Depression Two @-@ E at 1800 UTC on May 29 about 115 miles ( 185 km ) southeast of Puerto Escondido , Oaxaca . Upon becoming a tropical cyclone , the depression was stationary in an area with warm sea surface temperatures , very light wind shear , and favorable upper @-@ level conditions . 
