Hurricane Lester (1992)

Last updated
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
Disc Plain black.svg Tropical cyclone
Solid black.svg Subtropical cyclone
ArrowUp.svg Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The origins of Hurricane Lester can be traced back to a tropical wave that moved off the coast of western Africa on August 7. [1] Over the next week, the wave remained rather obscure as it moved across the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, before it appeared to split into two as it approached Cuba during August 16. [1] The northern half of the wave dissipated over Cuba, while the southern half passed over Central America and moved into the Pacific Ocean on August 16. [1] After the wave had moved into the Pacific, atmospheric convection increased over the system and it became better organized over the next few days. [1] On August 20, the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that the system had probably developed into a depression, initiated advisories and designated the system as Tropical Depression Fourteen-E. [2]

The depression gradually tracked northwestward at 15 mph (24 km/h). [1] Although the center of the depression was initially uncertain, [3] it slowly strengthened and steadily organized. The depression attained tropical storm status late on August 20, upon which the storm was named Lester. The cyclone continued to the northwest, and passed directly over Socorro Island on August 21. By early the next day, an eastward moving trough weakened the ridge to its north, resulting in a to turn to the north. [1] Around this time, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center predicted the storm would not strengthen to hurricane intensity before making landfall. [4] Despite this, Lester intensified into a hurricane late on August 22 while located about 240 miles (390 km) west of La Paz in Baja California Sur. [1]

Hurricane Lester and Hurricane Andrew (right) on August 22 LesterandAndrew92.JPG
Hurricane Lester and Hurricane Andrew (right) on August 22

The hurricane continued to organize and banding-type eye soon formed. Early on August 23 it attained peak winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) with a minimum central pressure of 985 hPa (29.09 inHg). Lester weakened steadily as the storm turned to the northeast, and made landfall as a minimal hurricane near Punta Abreojos, Baja California Sur about ten hours after reaching peak intensity. It degenerated into a tropical storm while crossing the Baja California Peninsula. After passing through the northern Gulf of California, it made a second landfall near Isla Tiburon in the state of Sonora. [1] Lester entered Arizona as a tropical storm on August 24, the first time since Hurricane Katrina in 1967 that an Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone entered the United States with winds of at least tropical storm intensity. Lester maintained tropical storm status until it weakened into a tropical depression near Tucson, Arizona. Later that day, the low-level circulation dissipated over New Mexico, and Lester ceased to exist as a tropical cyclone. [5] The storm's remnants transitioned into an extratropical cyclone, as it continued to the north-northeast, ahead of an approaching trough, [6] and later merged with the remnants of Hurricane Andrew and another frontal system on August 29, over Pennsylvania. [7]

Preparations and impact

Rainfall from Hurricane Lester Lester1992rain.gif
Rainfall from Hurricane Lester

Hurricane Lester impacted Mexicos's Revillagigedo Islands, Baja California peninsula and the states of Sinaloa and Sonora on the mainland, as well as parts of the Southwestern United States, including California, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. No deaths were blamed on the system while at least in damages were attributed to the system. Hurricane Andrew's landfall in Florida overshadowed Lester's impacts to the United States.

Mexico

The threat of the hurricane prompted the evacuation of about 10,000 residents. [8]

No observations exist for the duration when Lester, as a tropical depression, moved over Socorro Island, while winds were estimated to have reached 37 mph (60 km/h). However, a station reported winds of 23 mph (37 km/h) six hours after Lester passed over Socorro Island. [1] Several ships came in contact with Lester, with one in the eye reporting hurricane-force winds for 11 hours on August 22. [1] The ship in the eye reported rough seas, causing it to roll 33° to each side and thus was responsible for a large amount of cargo to go overboard. [1]

Hurricane Lester produced heavy rainfall across its path through the Baja California Peninsula and Sonora. Peak rainfall occurred in Mulege with 13.58 in (345 mm). [9] A weather station in Presa Rodriguez reported 8.66 inches (220 mm) of precipitation, with several other locations reporting over 2 inches (51 mm). The heavy rainfall caused extensive flood damage to the west of Hermosillo, destroying some entire communities and flooding a large highway. [1] Roads were washed out, and power lines were knocked out. [10] Waves up to 20 ft (6.1 m) were recorded. Flash flooding from Lester caused 10,000 people to be evacuated from their homes. [11] In addition, mudslides killed three people, [8] and left 5,000 homeless. [1] The storm resulted in $3 million (1992  USD), equivalent to $4.7 million (2011 USD). The Mexican Army provided relief efforts to residents after the storm. [8]

Baja California

On August 21, the Mexican Government issued a tropical storm warning for the west coast of Baja California Del Sur from Cabo San Lucas to Cabo San Lazaro and a tropical storm watch for both coasts from the border with Baja California Del Norte, Cabo San Lazaro on the west coast and Los Burros on the east coast. [12] During the following day, after Lester had started to move northwards a tropical storm warning was issued for the whole of Baja California Del Sur, before a hurricane warning was issued between Punta Eugenia and Cabo San Lazaro. [13] [14]

Mainland

On August 22, the Mexican government issued a tropical storm warning for the Mexican mainland between Cabo Tepopa and Los Mochis. [14]

United States

The remnants of Lester produced heavy rainfall across the Southwestern United States. In Arizona, rainfall amounted to over 5 inches (130 mm) near Phoenix and Tucson, with much of the rest of the state reporting over 1 inch (25 mm). Moderate rainfall was also reported in western New Mexico and southern Utah, while one location in southwestern Colorado reported over 5 inches (130 mm) of precipitation. [9] In the later location, rains caused flash flooding of arroyos and a mudslide along U.S. Route 180. [15] Additional rainfall caused moderate flooding in Denver. In addition to the rainfall, moisture from the remnants of Lester dropped 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimetres) of snow across portions of Colorado, causing traffic problems in mountainous areas. [16] A weather station on Mt. Harvard recorded about 4 inches (10 cm) of snow during Lester's passage through Colorado. [6] Moisture enhanced from a cold front, [17] the remnants Lester extended through the eastern United States, with Mattoon, Illinois reporting a peak of 5.96 inches (151 mm). [9] In all, rain from Lester caused rainfall records in Minnesota, Colorado, and North Dakota, though some were later broken. [18]

California

Hurricane Lester
Lester 1992-08-22 1800Z.png
Hurricane Lester nearing landfall on the Baja California Peninsula at peak intensity on August 22

Arizona

Hurricane Lester was the seventh tropical cyclone and the fourth tropical storm on record to move into Arizona, since the start of the satellite era in 1965. [19] [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 2004 Pacific hurricane season was an overall below-average Pacific hurricane season in which there were 12 named tropical storms, all of which formed in the eastern Pacific basin. Of these, 6 became hurricanes, and 3 of those intensified into major hurricanes. No storms made landfall in 2004, the first such occurrence since 1991. In addition to the season's 12 named storms, there were five tropical depressions that did not reach tropical storm status. One of them, Sixteen-E, made landfall in northwestern Sinaloa. The season officially began on May 15 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the central Pacific basin. It officially ended in both basins on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period during each year when most tropical cyclones form in each respective basin. These dates conventionally delimit the period during each year when a majority of tropical cyclones form. The season was reflected by an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 71 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 2003 Pacific hurricane season was the first season to feature no major hurricanes since 1977. The season officially began on May 15, 2003 in the Eastern North Pacific, and on June 1 in the Central ; both ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in these regions of the Pacific. The season featured 16 tropical storms, 7 of which intensified into hurricanes, which was then considered an average season. Damage across the basin reached US$129 million, and 23 people were killed by the storms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1998 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1998 Pacific hurricane season was a fairly average Pacific hurricane season. Despite this, it had nine hurricanes and six major hurricanes, which was well above average. The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific and on June 1 in the central Pacific, and ended on November 30; these dates conventionally delimit the period during which most tropical cyclones form in that region. The first tropical cyclone developed on June 11, about ten days later than the normal start of the season. The final storm of the year, Hurricane Madeline, dissipated on October 20. Storm activity in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's warning zone was low, with just one tropical depression observed in the region. Two tropical cyclones from the eastern Pacific also entered the central Pacific; the former did so as a hurricane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1992 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1992 Pacific hurricane season is the most active Pacific hurricane season on record, featuring 27 named storms. The season also produced the second-highest ACE value on record in the basin, only surpassed by the 2018 season. The 1992 season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. However, tropical cyclogenesis is possible at any time of the year, as demonstrated by the development of Hurricane Ekeka on January 28, and Tropical Storm Hali two months later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1986 Pacific hurricane season featured several tropical cyclones that contributed to significant flooding to the Central United States. The hurricane season officially started May 15, 1986, in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1986 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1986 in both regions. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. A total of 17 named storms and 9 hurricanes developed during the season; this is slightly above the averages of 15 named storms and 8 hurricanes, respectively. In addition, 26 tropical depressions formed in the eastern Pacific during 1986, which, at the time, was the second most ever recorded; only the 1982 Pacific hurricane season saw a higher total.

The 1939 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1939. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. However, 1939 saw a large number of storms threaten California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Nora (1997)</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane

Hurricane Nora was the first tropical cyclone to enter the Continental United States from the Pacific Ocean since Hurricane Lester in 1992. Nora was the fourteenth named tropical cyclone and the seventh hurricane of the 1997 Pacific hurricane season. The September storm formed off the Pacific coast of Mexico, and aided by waters warmed by the 1997–98 El Niño event, eventually peaked at Category 4 intensity on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Marty (2003)</span> Category 2 Pacific hurricane in 2003

Hurricane Marty was a Category 2 Pacific hurricane that caused extensive flooding and damage in northwestern Mexico just weeks after Hurricane Ignacio took a similar course. Marty was the thirteenth named storm, fourth hurricane, and the deadliest tropical cyclone of the 2003 Pacific hurricane season. Forming on September 18, it became the 13th tropical storm and fourth hurricane of the year. The storm moved generally northwestward and steadily intensified despite only a marginally favorable environment for development, and became a Category 2 hurricane before making two landfalls on the Baja California peninsula and mainland Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Javier (2004)</span> Category 4 Eastern Pacific hurricane in 2004

Hurricane Javier was a powerful tropical cyclone whose remnants brought above-average rainfall totals across the western United States in September 2004. Javier was the tenth named storm, the sixth hurricane and the final major hurricane of the 2004 Pacific hurricane season. Javier was also the strongest hurricane of the 2004 season, with 150 mph (240 km/h) winds and a central pressure of 930 millibars. However, because of high wind shear in the East Pacific, Javier weakened rapidly before making landfall in Baja California as a tropical depression. The remnants of the storm then continued moving northeast through the Southwestern United States. Javier caused no direct fatalities, and the damage in Mexico and the United States was minimal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Norma (1970)</span> Pacific tropical storm in 1970

Tropical Storm Norma was the fourteenth named tropical cyclone of the 1970 Pacific hurricane season. The storm formed off the coast of Mexico and intensified rapidly, peaking as a strong tropical storm on September 3, before starting a weakening trend. It dissipated before making landfall on Baja California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Isis (1998)</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 1998

Hurricane Isis was the only hurricane to make landfall during the 1998 Pacific hurricane season. The ninth tropical storm and sixth hurricane of the season, Isis developed on September 1 from an interaction between a tropical wave and a large surface circulation to the southwest of Mexico. It moved northward, striking the extreme southeastern portion of the Baja California peninsula before attaining hurricane status in the Gulf of California. Isis made landfall at Topolobampo in the Mexican state of Sinaloa on September 3, and quickly lost its low-level circulation. The remnants persisted for several days before dissipating over the U.S. state of Idaho on September 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Lowell (2008)</span> Pacific tropical storm in 2008

Tropical Storm Lowell was a moderate tropical storm that developed during the 2008 Pacific hurricane season. The fourteenth tropical cyclone and thirteen named storm of the season, Lowell formed out of a western side of a trough on September 6. It quickly intensified into Tropical Storm Lowell, peaking as a moderate tropical storm. It pass directly over Socorro Island and began a weakening trend. It weakened into depression before landfall in Baja California Sur and dissipated before striking Sonora. It later joined with a frontal boundary and Hurricane Ike which caused severe damage as far inland as Chicago. In all, the storm had caused 6 deaths and $15.5 million damage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Raymond (1989)</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane in 1989

Hurricane Raymond was the strongest tropical cyclone of the 1989 Pacific hurricane season, peaking as a strong Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. Forming out of a tropical wave on September 25, 1989, the tropical depression slowly tracked northwest before becoming nearly stationary the next day. Shortly after, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Raymond and took a general westward track. Gradually intensifying, Raymond attained hurricane-status on September 28 and attained its peak intensity on September 30, with winds of 145 mph (233 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 935 mbar. Steady weakening then took place and by October 3, Raymond turned northeast towards land. The storm continued to weaken as it accelerated and eventually made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula as a tropical storm late on October 4 and a second landfall in Sonora, Mexico. Shortly after, Raymond weakened to a depression as it tracked inland. The remnants of the system persisted until October 7 when it dissipated over the Central United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Jimena (2009)</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane in 2009

Hurricane Jimena is tied with Hurricane Norbert as the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall on western portion of the Baja California Peninsula. Jimena was the twelfth named storm, fifth hurricane, third major hurricane and overall second-strongest tropical cyclone of the 2009 Pacific hurricane season. Forming from a tropical wave late on August 28, 2009, off of Mexico's Pacific coast, the system rapidly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane on the next day. Two days after developing, Jimena strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane. After peaking close to Category 5 intensity on September 1, it encountered cold water and began to weaken. When the hurricane made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula on September 3, it was only a Category 2 hurricane. On the next day, the tropical cyclone entered the Gulf of California, though the storm weakened into a remnant low after looping back eastward towards Baja California. The storm's remnants drifted westward into the Pacific afterward, before dissipating on September 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Doreen (1977)</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 1977

Hurricane Doreen was considered the worst tropical cyclone to affect California in 32 years. The tenth tropical cyclone, fourth named storm, and second hurricane of the otherwise inactive 1977 Pacific hurricane season, it developed on August 13. The depression tracked northwestward, intensifying into Tropical Storm Doreen later that day. Further strengthening occurred over the subsequent days, and Doreen attained its peak as a minimal hurricane early on August 15. Executing a turn towards the north-northwest, Doreen made its first landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale near Puerto San Carlos. Drifting offshore, Doreen made a second and final landfall near the northern portion of the Baja California as a tropical storm before rapidly weakening to a tropical depression. The tropical depression dissipated south of southern California on August 18.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Rosa (2018)</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane

Hurricane Rosa was a tropical cyclone that brought widespread flooding to northwestern Mexico and the Southwestern United States in late September 2018, and was the first tropical cyclone to make landfall in Baja California since Nora in 1997. The seventeenth named storm, tenth hurricane, and seventh major hurricane of the 2018 Pacific hurricane season; Rosa originated from an Atlantic tropical wave that crossed the West African coast on September 6. The wave proceeded westward across the Atlantic, traversing Central America before entering the Gulf of Tehuantepec on September 22. There, the weather system acquired cyclonic features and became a tropical storm on September 25. Within a favorable atmosphere, Rosa entered a period of rapid intensification on September 27, peaking as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) a day later. Over the next few days, Rosa turned north and then northeast while steadily weakening, making landfall in Baja California as a tropical depression on October 2. After crossing over into the Gulf of California, the remnant system split apart and merged with an upper-level low off the coast of California by October 3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Lorena (2019)</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 2019

Hurricane Lorena was a strong Pacific hurricane in September 2019 that brought heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides to Southwestern Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula and also brought severe weather to the U.S. state of Arizona. Lorena was the thirteenth named storm and seventh and final hurricane of the 2019 Pacific hurricane season. A tropical wave, originally from the North Atlantic, entered the East Pacific basin on September 16. With increasing thunderstorm development, Lorena formed as a tropical storm on September 17 alongside Tropical Storm Mario. Lorena made its passage northwestward and quickly gained strength before it made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Jalisco on September 19. Due to interaction with the mountainous terrain, Lorena weakened back to a tropical storm. After moving into the warm ocean temperatures of the Gulf of California, however, Lorena re-strengthened into a hurricane, and reached its peak intensity with 1-minute sustained winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 985 millibars (29.1 inHg) Lorena made a second landfall in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, and quickly weakened thereafter. Lorena weakened to a tropical storm over the Gulf of California, and became a remnant low on September 22, shortly after making landfall in Sonora as a tropical depression. The remnant low moved inland over Mexico, and eventually dissipated inland over Arizona on September 24.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Gerrish, Harold P; Rappaport, Edward N (November 1, 1992). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Lester August 20 – 24, 1992 (Report). United States National Hurricane Center.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  2. ↑ Jarrell, Jerry D (August 20, 1992). Tropical Depression Fourteen-E Discussion One (Report). Retrieved January 21, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  3. ↑ Rappaport, Edward N (August 20, 1992). "Tropical Depression Fourteen-E Discussion Three" . Retrieved January 25, 2007.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. ↑ Pasch, Richard J (1992). "Tropical Storm Lester Discussion Ten" . Retrieved January 25, 2007.
  5. ↑ Lawrence, Miles B; Rappaport, Edward N (1993). "Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season of 1992" . Monthly Weather Review. 122 (3): 549. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1994)122<0549:ENPHSO>2.0.CO;2. ISSN   1520-0493 . Retrieved January 31, 2007.
  6. 1 2 Michael Dickinson and L. F. Bosart and K. L. Corbosiero (2006). "The extratropical transitions of eastern Pacific Hurricane Lester (1992) and Atlantic Hurricane Andrew (1992)". American Meteorological Society. Retrieved January 26, 2007.
  7. ↑ Florida Historical Society (2003). "Today in Florida's History". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2007.
  8. 1 2 3 Mercury News Wire Services (August 25, 1992). "Hurricane Lester kills 3 in Mexico". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
  9. 1 2 3 Roth, David M. (2006). "Rainfall Summary for Hurricane Lester". United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 31, 2007.
  10. ↑ Association Press (August 26, 1992). "Hurricane Lester kills 3 in Mexico". Toledo Blade. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  11. ↑ Association Press (August 25, 1992). "Mexico hit, too". Elensburg Daily Record. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  12. ↑ Rappaport, Edward N (August 21, 1992). Tropical Storm Lester Public Advisory Number Eight (Report). Retrieved January 19, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  13. ↑ Pasch, Richard J (August 22, 1992). Hurricane Lester Special Discussion Number Eleven (Report). Retrieved January 19, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  14. 1 2 Mayfield, Britt M (August 22, 1992). Tropical Storm Lester Public Advisory Number Twelve (Report). Retrieved January 19, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  15. ↑ "Storm Data August 1992" (PDF). 34 (8). National Climatic Data Center: 115. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 19, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2012.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. ↑ Bill Scanlon (1992). "Pacific Storm Chills State, Floods Denver". Rocky Mountain News. Retrieved January 23, 2007.
  17. ↑ "Hurricane closes in on Gulf". The Union Democrat. August 25, 1992. Retrieved January 16, 2011.
  18. ↑ Roth, David M. (January 3, 2023). "Tropical Cyclone Point Maxima". Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Data. United States Weather Prediction Center. Retrieved January 6, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  19. ↑ "Tropical cyclones in Arizona". United States National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Tucson, Arizona. Archived from the original on September 1, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Tropical cyclones in Arizona: Hurricane Lester". United States National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Tucson, Arizona. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.