Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 24,2021 |
Dissipated | August 30,2021 |
Category 1 hurricane | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 85 mph (140 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 976 mbar (hPa);28.82 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 3 total |
Damage | $193 million |
Areas affected | Western Mexico |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season |
Hurricane Nora was a large tropical cyclone that caused significant damage across the Pacific Coast of Mexico in late August 2021. The fourteenth named storm and fifth hurricane of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season,Nora was first monitored by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) as an area of low pressure near the coast of Mexico. On August 24,the low organized into tropical depression,but struggled to develop further due to wind shear in its surrounding environment. The depression eventually intensified into a tropical storm and was named Nora as it tracked to the west-northwest. Nora peaked as a strong Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles per hour (140 km/h) on August 28. The storm then grazed the west coast of Mexico and made landfall two separate times,first in the state of Jalisco,followed by neighboring Nayarit. Nora weakened as it interacted with land,dissipating on August 30 just inland of the Mexican coast.
Nora caused extensive and destructive flooding as the cyclone traversed the coast of Mexico,with rainfall accumulations peaking at 523 mm (20.6 in) in the town of Melchor Ocampo in Michoacán. Severe damage was reported to homes,businesses and hotels across several states in western Mexico. Overflowing rivers inundated numerous cities and rural areas. Three people died as a result of the hurricane,and a total of MXN$3.85 billion (USD$193 million) in damage occurred throughout Mexico.
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Hurricane Nora originated from a tropical wave that emerged off Africa on August 13. It quickly moved westward over next few days, and at 15:00 UTC of August 19 as it moved into the Caribbean Sea, [1] the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first indicated the possible development of an area of low pressure to the south of the coast of Mexico, giving it a 20% chance of forming in the next five days. [2] The NHC further raised the system's probability of intensification occurrence to "medium" [3] and then to "high" on the next day, [4] and by August 24, a broad area of low pressure formed over warm sea surface temperatures. [1] Scatterometer data on August 25 reported that a well-defined but small area of circulation inside the low-pressure area and was producing near tropical storm-force winds, [5] with the NHC designating the disturbance as a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC of August 25. 6 hours later at 18:00 UTC, scatterometer data prompted the system's upgrade to a tropical storm, gaining the name Nora. [1] Nora continued westward over a favorable environment for development. It became disorganized that night, with its convection being displaced to the northwest due to wind shear, as evidenced by satellite and microwave imageries. [6]
Nora began to turn slightly northwest by the next day, [7] with a decline in wind shear allowing the storm to strengthen and develop convection on August 27. Nora then began to turn north-northwestward, with it forming an eye on August 28. [1] Its developing inner core became wrapped by deep convection with cold cloud tops, [8] and by 12:00 UTC, Nora was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. At 15:00 UTC, microwave imagery showed that it had a closed eyewall. [1]
On August 30, the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning from San Blas, Nayarit to Altata, Sinaloa. Hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings were issued in Altata to Topolobampo. Tropical storm watches were put in place from Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, Baja California Sur. [9] The Servicio Meteorológico Nacional called for extreme precaution in the states of Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Jalisco. [10] It was recommended for locals to get away from beaches and other low-lying areas that could be affected by high waves, avoid parking in wave-prone areas, and to go to safe areas defined by authorities. [11] People who lived in areas threatened by Nora's flooding were monitored to give them the resources needed in the aftermath if they were affected. [12]
Heavy rainfall occurred across the western coast of Mexico, with 300 mm (12 in) being recorded across coastal regions in Guerrero, Colima, Michoacán, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa. A peak rainfall total of 523 mm (20.6 in) occurred at Melchor Ocampo, Michoacán. A total of 444.8 mm (17.51 in) of rain registered at José María Morelos y Pavón, Michoacán, and 421.2 mm (16.58 in) was recorded at the Observatorio de Mazatlán, Sinaloa. The storm left impacts in 44 municipalities and approximately 355,000 people without power. 30 rivers in Mexico had overflowed due to the flooding. [13] [14] In Chiapas, the body of a member of the Mexican Air Force was later found after he had been swept away by the strong currents. [15] Severe damage occurred across Jalisco. In Puerto Vallarta, a bridge collapsed into the Cuale River, and buildings near the river were damaged. Overflowing rivers, falling trees, fallen power lines, and landslides prompted the closure of the Guadalajara – Colima highway and the El Grullo-Ciudad Guzmán state highway. At the latter, a landslide dropped a person into a 120 m (390 ft) deep ravine and injured two others. A construction worker also died in a landslide on a road connecting Ciudad Guzmán and San Gabriel. The Arroyo El Pedregal river overflowed in Melaque, Cihuatlán municipality, damaging at least 500 homes. Two people were reported missing in the municipality. The Bahía de Banderas was evacuated as the level of the Ameca River continued to increase, with a temporary shelter being established in San Vicente. Power outages were reported in the former city as a result of downed electrical lines and poles. A child also died in the collapse of a hotel, which was associated with Nora, and another person was reported to be missing. [14] On September 5, a fisherman's body was found at a beach in Marquelia, Guerrero. [16] In Ciudad Guzmán, flooding from the Los Volcanes river inundated some urban areas. [17] [18] Overall, three people were killed by the storm. [19] [20] Nora was responsible for 3.85 billion pesos (US$193 million) in damage, including 302 million pesos in Colima, 642 million pesos in Michoacán, 875 million pesos in Jalisco, 725 million pesos in Nayarit, and 1.31 billion pesos in Sinaola. [21]
The Government of Michoacán declared states of emergency for the municipalities of Arteaga, Lázaro Cárdenas, Tumbiscatio, Aquila, and Coahuayana in the wake of Nora. A road leading to Uruapan also collapsed and was closed by authorities. Landslides also damaged a highway between Uruapan and Lombardí. Mudslides made a road leading to the city of Morelia impassable. In the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas, the Acalpican river overflowed, causing flooding on August 29. There also were reports of other floods, landslides, and uprooted trees in Michoacán. In the municipal seat of Arteaga, the Toscano river flooded, which caused several cars to be dragged by the flow. Multiple homes and businesses were damaged. [11] [15] Federal, state, and municipal authorities worked on coastal roads to help restore communication damage caused by downed lines and trees. [11]
The 2013 Pacific hurricane season was an above average Pacific hurricane season with 21 tropical cyclones forming. Of these, 20 became named storms – 18 in the Eastern Pacific basin, and 2 in the Central Pacific basin. Of the 18 named storms in the east, 9 became hurricanes, with one, Raymond, becoming the season's only major hurricane. In the central, neither named storm became a hurricane. It was also a below-normal season in terms of Accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), as many of its systems were weak and short-lived. The season officially began on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific and started on June 1 in the Central Pacific; both ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical development occurs in these North Pacific basins. The first cyclone, Tropical Storm Alvin, formed on May 15, and the last, Tropical Storm Sonia, dissipated on November 4.
Hurricane Jova was a powerful Category 3 Pacific hurricane that made landfall on southwestern Mexico in October 2011. The tenth named storm, ninth hurricane and fifth major hurricane of the 2011 Pacific hurricane season, Jova developed from a tropical disturbance that initially formed on October 5, 2011. The disturbance steadily organized and acquired more thunderstorm activity over the following hours, and it became a tropical depression early on October 6. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Jova later that day. Moving generally northward, wind shear initially inhibited Jova from strengthening much until the establishment of more favorable conditions on October 8 allowed Jova to begin to intensify. It reached hurricane strength that day as it drifted eastwards, and major hurricane status on October 10 after a period of steady intensification. Jova reached peak intensity the following day as a high-end Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h), and a minimum barometric pressure of 955 mbar (28.20 inHg). Jova weakened somewhat as it approached the Pacific coast of Mexico, and made landfall near Barra de Navidad, Jalisco on October 12 as a still-powerful Category 2 hurricane. The storm rapidly weakened as it moved inland and dissipated later that day.
Hurricane Erick brought moderate impacts to the western coastline of Mexico in July 2013, and was the last of a succession of four Category 1 hurricanes to affect the Pacific coast of Mexico early in the 2013 Pacific hurricane season. The fifth named storm and fourth hurricane of the annual season, Erick originated from a tropical wave that moved off the western coast of Africa on June 18. The wave tracked swiftly westward with little development, emerging into the eastern Pacific on July 1. As a result of favorable environmental conditions, the wave developed into a tropical depression on July 4, and further into Tropical Storm Erick at 0000 UTC on July 5. Steered generally west-northwest, Erick intensified into a Category 1 hurricane and reached its peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) on July 6. Its proximity to land and track over increasingly cooler waters caused the storm to deteriorate into a tropical storm the following day, though it remained at such intensity until degenerating into a remnant low early on July 9. The remnant circulation dissipated a few hours later, southwest of Baja California Sur.
Hurricane Cosme caused flooding along the Pacific coast of Mexico in June 2013. The third named tropical cyclone of the 2013 Pacific hurricane season, the storm system formed from a tropical wave south of Manzanillo, Colima, on June 23. The cyclone intensified into a tropical storm on June 24, and soon after strengthened into a hurricane on June 25. Early the following day, Cosme attained its peak intensity as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 980 mbar. However, Cosme then began to encounter stable air and lower sea surface temperatures, causing the system to weaken to a tropical storm late on June 26. The system continued to weaken and degenerated into a remnant low pressure surface trough about 690 mi (1,110 km) west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on June 27. The remnants persisted until dissipating well east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands on July 1.
Hurricane Amanda was the strongest Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone ever recorded in the month of May. The first named storm, hurricane and major hurricane of the 2014 Pacific hurricane season, Amanda originated from a tropical wave that had entered the Eastern Pacific on May 16. Slow development occurred as it tracked westward, and development into a tropical depression occurred on May 22. The depression later strengthened into a tropical storm on May 23. Amid very favorable conditions, Amanda then rapidly intensified late on May 23, eventually reaching its peak intensity on May 25 as a high-end Category 4 hurricane. Afterwards, steady weakening occurred due to upwelling beneath the storm, and Amanda fell below major hurricane intensity on May 26. Rapid weakening occurred and the cyclone eventually dissipated on May 29.
Hurricane Patricia was the most powerful tropical cyclone on record worldwide in terms of maximum sustained winds and the second-most intense on record worldwide in terms of pressure, with a minimum atmospheric pressure of 872 mbar, behind Typhoon Tip's 870 mbar. Originating from a sprawling disturbance near the Gulf of Tehuantepec, south of Mexico, in mid-October 2015, Patricia was first classified a tropical depression on October 20. Initial development was slow, with only modest strengthening within the first day of its classification. The system later became a tropical storm and was named Patricia, the twenty-fourth named storm of the annual hurricane season. Exceptionally favorable environmental conditions fueled explosive intensification on October 22. A well-defined eye developed within an intense central dense overcast and Patricia grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours—a near-record pace. On October 23, the hurricane achieved its record peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 215 mph (345 km/h). This made it the most intense tropical cyclone on record in the Western Hemisphere and the strongest globally in terms of one-minute maximum sustained winds.
Hurricane Newton was the first tropical cyclone to make landfall on the Baja California Peninsula at hurricane strength since Hurricane Odile in 2014. The fifteenth tropical depression, fifteenth named storm and ninth hurricane of the 2016 Pacific hurricane season, Newton formed from a tropical wave to the south of Mexico on September 4, 2016. Moving northwards through an environment conducive for additional development, Newton rapidly strengthened, reaching hurricane strength on the following day. Newton made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula just below peak strength on the same day. Interaction with the mountainous terrain of the peninsula caused some slight weakening, but Newton remained a hurricane until it entered the Gulf of California, at which time increasing wind shear caused Newton to weaken at a faster pace, and the system made landfall in Sonora late on September 6 as a strong tropical storm. The cyclone continued to rapidly weaken over the rugged terrain of Sonora, and it degenerated into a remnant low just south of the Mexico–United States border on September 7. The remnants of Newton dissipated early on the following day.
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Hurricane Willa was a powerful tropical cyclone that brought torrential rains and destructive winds to southwestern Mexico, particularly the states of Sinaloa and Nayarit, during late October 2018. It was the twenty-fifth tropical cyclone, twenty-second named storm, thirteenth hurricane, tenth major hurricane, and record-tying third Category 5 hurricane of the 2018 Pacific hurricane season. Willa was the first major hurricane to make landfall in the Mexican state of Sinaloa since Lane in 2006.
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.
Hurricane Genevieve was a strong tropical cyclone that almost made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula in August 2020. Genevieve was the twelfth tropical cyclone, eighth named storm, third hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2020 Pacific hurricane season. The cyclone formed from a tropical wave that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first started monitoring on August 10. The wave merged with a trough of low pressure on August 13, and favorable conditions allowed the wave to intensify into Tropical Depression Twelve-E at 15:00 UTC. Just six hours later, the depression became a tropical storm and was given the name Genevieve. Genevieve quickly became a hurricane by August 17, and Genevieve began explosive intensification the next day. By 12:00 UTC on August 18, Genevieve reached its peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum 1-minute sustained winds of 130 mph and a minimum central pressure of 950 millibars (28 inHg). Genevieve began to weaken on the next day, possibly due to cooler waters caused by Hurricane Elida earlier that month. Genevieve weakened below tropical storm status around 18:00 UTC on August 20, as it passed close to Baja California Sur. Soon afterward, Genevieve began to lose its deep convection and became a post-tropical cyclone by 21:00 UTC on August 21, eventually dissipating off the coast of Southern California late on August 24.
Tropical Storm Hernan was a short-lived tropical cyclone that brought widespread flooding and destructive mudslides to southwestern Mexico in late August 2020. Hernan was the thirteenth tropical cyclone and eighth named storm of the 2020 Pacific hurricane season. The system developed from a low-pressure area to the southwest of Mexico on August 26, as a low-end tropical storm. Moving generally northward and paralleling the west coast of Mexico, Hernan was hindered by a high wind shear environment and only slightly strengthened. The cyclone achieved its peak intensity around 06:00 UTC on August 27 with maximum sustained winds of 70 km/h (45 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1,001 mbar (29.6 inHg). Passing just offshore of the state of Jalisco, Hernan turned west and degenerated to a remnant low on August 28. The low passed near the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula later that day and dissipated shortly thereafter.
Tropical Storm Dolores was a strong tropical storm that made landfall in southwestern Mexico in June 2021. The fourth named storm of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season, Dolores developed from a low-pressure area that formed offshore the Mexican state of Oaxaca on June 16, 2021. The low steadily developed organized deep convection and a closed surface circulation, becoming Tropical Depression Four-E around 06:00 UTC June 18. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm nine hours later and was named Dolores. Gradually approaching the southwestern coast of Mexico, Dolores steadily intensified despite its close proximity to land. The storm reached its peak intensity around 15:00 UTC June 19 with maximum sustained winds of 115 km/h (70 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 29.2 inHg (989 mbar), just below hurricane strength. Shortly after reaching this intensity, Dolores made landfall just northwest of Punta San Telmo, near the Colima–Michoacán state border. The storm rapidly weakened as it moved inland over Mexico and dissipated early on June 20 over the state of Zacatecas.
Hurricane Enrique was a Category 1 Pacific hurricane that brought heavy rainfall and flooding to much of western Mexico in late June 2021. The fifth named storm and first hurricane of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season, Enrique developed from a tropical wave the entered the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Nicaragua on June 22. In an environment conducive for intensification, the disturbance moved west-northwestward and developed into a tropical storm by 6:00 UTC on June 25, as it was already producing winds of 40 mph (65 km/h), and received the name Enrique. Enrique strengthened steadily within an environment of warm waters and low-to-moderate wind shear while continuing its northwestward motion. By 12:00 UTC on June 26, Enrique had intensified into a Category 1 hurricane as the storm turned more northwestward. Nearing the coast of Mexico, Enrique reached its peak intensity around 6:00 UTC the following day, with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 972 mbar (28.7 inHg). Enrique, passing closely offshore west-central Mexico, maintained its intensity for another 24 hours as it turned northward toward the Gulf of California. Turning back to the northwest on June 28, increasing wind shear and dry air caused the hurricane to weaken. Enrique dropped to tropical storm status at 18:00 UTC that day, and further weakened to a tropical depression on June 30 just to the northeast of Baja California. The depression was absorbed into a larger low pressure area to the southeast later that day.
Hurricane Pamela was a Category 1 Pacific hurricane that caused significant damage across several northwestern and western states of Mexico in October 2021. The sixteenth named storm and seventh hurricane of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season, the storm originated from a tropical wave over the Atlantic basin, over the Caribbean Sea. It then quickly crossed into the Pacific Ocean, where it slowly consolidated, with a low-pressure area forming from the wave on October 9. Environmental conditions in the area were proved favorable for tropical cyclogenesis and developed into Tropical Depression Sixteen-E on the next day. It then organized further into Tropical Storm Pamela on that night. Despite wind shear and dry air affecting the cyclone, Pamela continued to strengthen and became a hurricane on October 12 before weakening back to a tropical storm as it continued to succumb onto these factors. However, as the system turned towards the coast of Mexico, Pamela restrengthened to a low-end hurricane before making landfall over Estacion Dimas, Sinaloa on 15:00 UTC on October 13 before rapidly weakening inland. It then dissipated over Coahuila on the early hours on the next day.
Hurricane Rick was a Category 2 Pacific hurricane that struck the southwestern coast of Mexico in late October 2021. Rick was the overall seventeenth named system and the eighth hurricane of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season, as well as the fifth named storm and fourth hurricane to make landfall along the Pacific coast of Mexico in 2021.
Hurricane Blas was a Category 1 hurricane that brought winds and flooding to several Mexican states in June 2022. The second named storm and second hurricane of the 2022 Pacific hurricane season, Blas developed from a low-pressure area off the coast of southwestern Mexico. It became a tropical depression on June 14. and strengthened into a tropical storm later that same day. Blas became a hurricane the next day, while paralleling the coast. The system reached its peak intensity on June 17, at 15:00 UTC, with maximum sustained winds of 80 knots and a central pressure of 976 mbar (28.82 inHg). Later, Blas turned to the west and weakened, becoming a tropical depression on June 20, before transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone on that same day.
Hurricane Orlene was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused minor damage to the Pacific coast of Mexico in October 2022. The cyclone was the sixteenth named storm, ninth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the 2022 Pacific hurricane season. Orlene originated from a low-pressure area off the coast of Mexico. Moving towards the north, Orlene gradually strengthened, becoming a hurricane on October 1 and reaching its peak intensity the following day with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). Orlene made landfall just north of the Nayarit and Sinaloa border, with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). Soon afterward, Orlene rapidly weakened and became a tropical depression, eventually dissipating over the Sierra Madre Occidental late on October 4.
Hurricane Roslyn was a powerful tropical cyclone that struck the Pacific coast of Mexico in October 2022. The nineteenth named storm, tenth hurricane, and fourth major hurricane of the 2022 Pacific hurricane season, Roslyn formed on October 20, from an area of low pressure that developed off the southwestern coast of Mexico. The system moved west-northwestward, paralleling the coast, where it became a hurricane at 00:00 UTC, on October 22, and, within 18 hours rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). Roslyn made landfall on October 23 near Santa Cruz in northern Nayarit, at 11:20 UTC with 120 mph (195 km/h) winds. Inland, Roslyn weakened quickly to a tropical storm, and then dissipated over east-central Mexico on October 24.
Hurricane Beatriz was a Category 1 Pacific hurricane that caused widespread flooding along much of the Pacific coast of southwestern Mexico in late June and early July 2023. The second named storm and second hurricane of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season, Beatriz originated from the remnant wave of Atlantic Tropical Storm Bret. After dissipating over the central Caribbean Sea, the wave moved over Central America on June 25. The nascent disturbance then merged with a nearby low-pressure area later that day. The disturbance was slow to organize, but due to the impending threat it posed to the Mexican coast, advisories were initiated on it as Potential Tropical Cyclone Two-E at 03:00 UTC on June 29. The system organized into a tropical depression six hours later. Later that day, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Beatriz. Closely paralleling the coast of Mexico, Beatriz rapidly intensified into a hurricane at 15:00 UTC on June 30. The storm peaked in intensity shortly after with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 992 mbar (29.3 inHg). Early on July 1, the hurricane's center brushed the coast near Punta San Telmo, after which it steadily lost organization. Beatriz weakened to a tropical storm shortly thereafter, and the system dissipated entirely by 18:00 UTC that day offshore of Cabo Corrientes.