Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | June 19,2024 |
Dissipated | June 20,2024 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 50 mph (85 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 992 mbar (hPa);29.29 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 5 (2 direct,3 indirect) |
Damage | $179 million (2024 USD) |
Areas affected |
|
IBTrACS / [1] [2] | |
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Alberto was a broad but short-lived tropical cyclone that affected portions of Mexico,Texas,and Louisiana during June 2024. The first named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season,Alberto originated on June 12 from a broad area of disturbed weather in the Gulf of Mexico. A few days later,a low-pressure area formed from the disturbance,over the Bay of Campeche. It would steadily coalesce,and despite not being a tropical cyclone yet,would be designated as Potential Tropical Cyclone One by the National Hurricane Center on June 17 due to its proximity to the coast. It eventually intensified into a tropical storm two days later,being named Alberto. Its formation marked the latest start to an Atlantic hurricane season since 2014.
The next day,Alberto peaked with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) before making landfall near Tampico,Tamaulipas. Despite being weak,Alberto was unusually broad,affecting Texas,Louisiana,and Northeastern Mexico throughout its lifetime. Four people died in Nuevo León due to its rainfall:one in Monterrey,one in El Carmen,and two in Allende. Another person died in Texas due to rip currents. Total damage is estimated at around USD$179 million.
On June 12, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted that an area of disturbed weather could form over the western Gulf of Mexico and possibly develop into a tropical cyclone. [3] Several days later, early on June 17, a low-pressure area formed over the Bay of Campeche. [4] Designated Invest 91L as it emerged off the Yucatán Peninsula, the low was spawned from a disturbance within the Central American Gyre. [5] Though its thunderstorm activity was scattered, the invest began to grow better organized later that day and was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone One. [6]
The system slowly organized over the following two days as it approached the Mexican coast, [7] developing into Tropical Storm Alberto on June 19. [8] Alberto steadily intensified throughout the day, ultimately attaining peak sustained winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), and a minimum central pressure of 992 mbar (29.29 inHg). [9] Early the following morning, the system made landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas, [10] weakening to a tropical depression inland a few hours later. [11] Rapidly weakening, it dissipated just nine hours later. [12]
Upon the designation of Alberto as a potential tropical cyclone, at 21:00 UTC on June 17, a tropical storm watch was issued from Port O'Connor, Texas to Boca de Catan, Tamaulipas. [13] Twelve hours later, the tropical storm watch was extended southward to Puerto de Altamira. [14] Early on June 18, the portion of the tropical storm watch into Texas was upgraded to a tropical storm warning. [15] About six hours later, the Mexican portion of the tropical storm watch was upgraded into a tropical storm warning. [16] At 21:00 UTC that day, the tropical storm warning was extended northward to San Luis Pass. [17] At 15:00 UTC on June 19, the tropical storm warning was extended southward to Tecolutla. [18] These warnings were discontinued as Alberto moved inland at 15:00 UTC on June 20. [19]
Ports in Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Campeche were closed. [20] In Tamaulipas, 333 shelters were opened. [21]
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott placed 51 counties under disaster declarations in advance of Alberto. [22] The governor activated three Texas National Guard platoons, consisting of 40 members, 20 vehicles, and Chinook helicopters. [23] Classes and camps at Del Mar College were cancelled, as well as summer classes in Alice and Orange Grove. [24] The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority, in coordination with the American Red Cross and the Corpus Christi Fire Department, offered voluntary evacuations on public buses at two collection stations. The Corpus Christi Fire Department also offered residents boat rides out of flooded areas. [25] An American Airlines flight to Dallas and a United Airlines flight to Houston were delayed at the Corpus Christi International Airport. [24] Amtrak's westbound Sunset Limited was cancelled between New Orleans, Louisiana, and San Antonio, Texas. [26] The Salvation Army branch in McAllen opened their building as a public emergency shelter. [27] Double red flags were hoisted at beaches in Brazoria County, signaling the closure of beaches to swimming. [28] Beaches across Cameron County were also closed. [29] Sandbags were used to protect unhatched sea turtle eggs in South Padre Island from rising water levels. [30] A wind advisory was issued for parts of southeastern Louisiana. [31]
Heavy rainfall from Alberto resulted in four deaths, all in Nuevo León: one in Monterrey due to La Silla River flooding, one in El Carmen, and two in Allende (the latter three were indirect electrocution deaths). [32] [33] Dam reservoirs in the Monterrey metropolitan area received significant fractions of their capacity as a result of the storm. La Boca Dam in Santiago Municipality opened its floodgates on June 20 as it was filled to 104% capacity. [34] Flooding also washed out a segment of Fed. 40 between Monterrey and Saltillo, Coahuila. [35] In Xalapa, 24 people were left homeless after days of flooding caused three buildings to collapse. [36] Damage in Nuevo León reached MX$1 billion (US$53.7 million). [2] However, the rainfall was also beneficial across the region and alleviated drought conditions. [37]
Alberto produced heavy rainfall over Texas, mainly over the southern part of the state. [38] Precipitation accumulations peaked at 10.5 in (267 mm) in Lamar. [39] Tropical storm force winds were measured at several locations in Texas. A sustained wind of 54 mph (87 km/h) was observed at a maritime weather station on Baffin Bay. Over land, a wind speed of 47 mph (76 km/h) was observed on Padre Island within Kleberg County. [40] Increased tides also occurred in Texas, peaking at 4.05 ft (1.2 m) at San Luis Pass. [41] Storm surge in Galveston reached a height of 4 ft (1.2 m), marking the city's seventh-highest water level on record. [42]
Alberto brought significant rainfall to the Galveston area, leading to freshwater flooding. Its winds caused a 2–4 feet (0.6–1 m) storm surge, inundating coastal communities between Galveston and Freeport. [43] [28] One person drowned at Galveston due to rip currents generated by the storm. [44] South of there, between Portland and Gregory, US 181 was temporarily shut down due to downed power lines. [45] Also, near Port Aransas, Mustang Island State Park was closed for storm debris cleanup, [46] as was the USS Lexington Museum in North Beach, Corpus Christi. [47] A sinkhole produced by the storm destabilized the foundation of a home on Padre Island. [48] Several creeks overflowed their banks in Jim Wells County, resulting in flooding in the communities of Alice and Alfred. [49] Additionally, an EF1 tornado touched down near Bellville, causing some property damage along its 2 mi (3.2 km) long path, [50] and two EF0 tornadoes occurred near Rockport. [51] [52] Initially, Alberto was expected to relieve a three-year drought plaguing South Texas. However, soil absorbed most of the rainfall produced by the storm, allowing much less to runoff into reservoirs. A 5% increase in water levels was observed by drought monitors in the area nonetheless. [53] Damage in Texas is estimated to be at USD$125 million. [54]
Due to tides associated with Alberto, parts of Louisiana were placed under a coastal flood warning. [55] Tides reached a maximum level of 2.91 ft (0.89 m) at the Freshwater Canal Lock observation station. [56] Roads in Calcasieu, Cameron, [57] and St. Bernard parishes were closed due to flooding. [55] Tropical storm force wind gusts impacted parts of Louisiana, peaking at 41 mph (66 km/h) at the Lake Charles Regional Airport. Rainfall totals of up to 4.69 in (119.12 mm) were observed at Catfish Point. [56] Storm surge also left several roads impassible in Hancock County, Mississippi. [58] Double red flags were raised in Dauphin Island, Alabama, warning beachgoers to remain out of the water. Waves up to 5 ft (1.5 m) in height inundated Bienville Boulevard. [59]
The 2000 Atlantic hurricane season was a fairly active hurricane season, but featured the latest first named storm in a hurricane season since 1992. The hurricane season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. It was slightly above average due to a La Niña weather pattern although most of the storms were weak. It was also the only season to have two of the storms affect Ireland. The first cyclone, Tropical Depression One, developed in the southern Gulf of Mexico on June 7 and dissipated after an uneventful duration. However, it would be almost two months before the first named storm, Alberto, formed near Cape Verde; Alberto also dissipated with no effects on land. Several other tropical cyclones—Tropical Depression Two, Tropical Depression Four, Chris, Ernesto, Nadine, and an unnamed subtropical storm—did not impact land. Five additional storms—Tropical Depression Nine, Florence, Isaac, Joyce, and Leslie—minimally affected land areas.
The 1960 Atlantic hurricane season was the least active season since 1952. The season officially began on June 15, and lasted until November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first system, an unnamed storm, developed in the Bay of Campeche on June 22. It brought severe local flooding to southeastern Texas and was considered the worst disaster in some towns since a Hurricane in 1945. The unnamed storm moved across the United States for almost a week before dissipating on June 29. In July, Hurricane Abby resulted in minor damage in the Leeward Islands, before impacting a few Central American counties — the remnants of the storm would go on to form Hurricane Celeste in the East Pacific. Later that month, Tropical Storm Brenda caused flooding across much of the East Coast of the United States. The next storm, Hurricane Cleo, caused no known impact, despite its close proximity to land.
The 1978 Atlantic hurricane season was a slightly above average hurricane season in terms of number of named storms. Eleven tropical cyclones were named in all, and five of these became hurricanes; two of the five became a major hurricane. This was also the last Atlantic hurricane season to use an all-female naming list. The season officially began on June 1, 1978, and ended on November 30, 1978. These dates, adopted by convention, denote the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic basin. However, the formation of subtropical or tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as shown by the formation of an unnamed subtropical storm on January 18.
Hurricane Beulah was an intense Category 5 hurricane which impacted the Greater Antilles, Mexico, and Texas in September 1967. The second tropical storm, second hurricane, only major hurricane, and strongest storm in the 1967 Atlantic hurricane season, Beulah tracked through the Caribbean, struck the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico as a major hurricane, and moved west-northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico, briefly becoming a Category 5 hurricane. The hurricane made landfall just north of the mouth of the Rio Grande as a Category 3 hurricane. It spawned 115 tornadoes across Texas, which established a new record for the highest amount of tornadoes produced by a tropical cyclone. Due to its slow movement over Texas, Beulah led to significant flooding. Throughout its path, at least 59 people were killed and total damage reached $234.6 million, of which $200 million occurred in the United States, $26.9 million occurred in Mexico, and $7.65 million occurred in the eastern Caribbean.
Hurricane Celia was the costliest tropical cyclone in Texas history until Hurricane Alicia in 1983. The third named storm, second hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 1970 Atlantic hurricane season, Celia developed from a tropical wave in the western Caribbean Sea on July 31. Initially, the depression tracked north-northwestward, crossing over western Cuba on August 1 and becoming Tropical Storm Celia. Heavy rains on the island caused severe flooding, leading to five fatalities. The storm entered the Gulf of Mexico, and due to the warm sea surface temperatures, Celia intensified into a hurricane later that day. Storm surge and swells lashed the west coast of Florida, especially the Panhandle, causing eight people to drown. On August 2 and early on August 3, Celia slightly weakened, however, the storm underwent rapid intensification and deepening, and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane at landfall with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) later on August 3.
Hurricane Anita was a powerful tropical cyclone during the otherwise quiet 1977 Atlantic hurricane season, and the latest first named storm on record since tropical cyclones were first named in 1950. The first tropical cyclone of the season, Anita developed from a tropical wave on August 29 in the north-central Gulf of Mexico. It tracked westward into an area with conditions favorable for further development, and quickly intensified into a hurricane by late on August 30. Initially, Anita was forecast to strike Texas, though a building ridge turned it to the west-southwest. The hurricane rapidly strengthened to attain peak winds of 175 mph (280 km/h), and on September 2 Anita made landfall in eastern Tamaulipas as a Category 5 hurricane. It quickly weakened as it crossed Mexico, and after briefly redeveloping into a tropical depression in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Anita dissipated on September 4 to the south of the Baja California Peninsula. Anita was the first major hurricane to form in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Eloise of 1975.
Hurricane Bret was the first of five Category 4 hurricanes that developed during the 1999 Atlantic hurricane season and the first tropical cyclone since Hurricane Jerry in 1989 to make landfall in Texas at hurricane intensity. Forming from a tropical wave on August 18, Bret slowly organized within weak steering currents in the Bay of Campeche. By August 20, the storm began to track northward and underwent rapid intensification on August 21. After this period of strengthening, Bret attained its peak intensity with winds of 145 miles per hour (233 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 944 mbar (hPa; 27.9 inHg). Later that day, the storm weakened to a Category 3 hurricane and made landfall on Padre Island, Texas. Shortly thereafter, the storm weakened further, becoming a tropical depression 24 hours after moving inland. The remnants of the storm eventually dissipated early on August 26 over northern Mexico.
Tropical Storm Arlene brought torrential rainfall to the western United States Gulf Coast, particularly to the U.S. state of Texas, in June 1993. The first named storm of the 1993 Atlantic hurricane season, Arlene developed from an area of low pressure in the Bay of Campeche on June 18. The depression slowly strengthened as it tracked west-northwestward and later north-northwestward across the western Gulf of Mexico. Arlene was subsequently upgraded to a tropical storm on June 19, but failed to intensify further due to its proximity to land. The cyclone then made landfall on Padre Island, Texas, with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and degenerated into a remnant disturbance on June 21.
Hurricane Erika was a weak hurricane that struck extreme northeastern Mexico near the Texas–Tamaulipas border in mid-August of the 2003 Atlantic hurricane season. Erika was the eighth tropical cyclone, fifth tropical storm, and third hurricane of the season. At first, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) operationally did not designate it as a hurricane because initial data suggested winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) at Erika's peak intensity. It was not until later data was analyzed that the NHC revised the storm to Category 1 intensity in the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The storm developed from a non-tropical area of low pressure that was tracked for five days before developing in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on August 14. Under the influence of a high pressure system, Erika moved quickly westward and strengthened under favorable conditions. It made landfall as a hurricane on northeastern Mexico on August 16, and the storm's low-level circulation center dissipated by the next day. However, the storm's mid-level circulation persisted for another three days, emerging into the East Pacific and moving northwestward over Baja California, before dissipating on August 20.
Tropical Storm Beryl made landfall just south of the Mexico–United States border in mid-August 2000, causing minimal damage. The second named storm of the 2000 Atlantic hurricane season, Beryl originated from a tropical wave near the African coastline. Tracking westward, the wave failed to organize substantially until entering the Bay of Campeche, at which time it developed into a tropical storm. Beryl rapidly deepened while in the Gulf of Mexico, and it initially was forecast to strengthen to a hurricane under favorable conditions for development. Instead, Beryl remained at moderate tropical storm intensity and failed to intensify any further. It made landfall in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas as a weak tropical storm with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) on August 15, 2000 and dissipated over mountainous terrain shortly thereafter. One death was reported in Mexico due to drowning. Otherwise, no significant damage was reported associated with Beryl, as it affected a sparsely populated area of Mexico.
The 1960 Texas tropical storm brought severe but localized flooding to southeastern Texas in June 1960. The first tropical cyclone and first tropical storm of the 1960 Atlantic hurricane season, this system developed from an area of showers and thunderstorms in the Bay of Campeche on June 22. Initially a tropical depression, it strengthened and was estimated to have reached tropical storm status on June 23. Early on the following day, the storm peaked with winds of 60 mph (97 km/h). Later that day, it made landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas, at the same intensity. The storm weakened slowly and moved across the Central United States, before dissipating over Illinois on June 28.
Tropical Storm Dolly was a short-lived and disorganized tropical cyclone that caused moderate damage across Tamaulipas, Mexico, in early September 2014. Originating from a tropical wave, the system first became a tropical depression late on September 1 while situated over the Bay of Campeche. Dolly struggled against strong wind shear for the duration of its existence. The large system featured multiple circulations, sometimes becoming a new dominant center and other times simply rotating around a mean vortex. As a result, multiple center relocations occurred along its general west-northwest track. Dolly eventually made landfall in Tamaulipas on September 3 before degenerating into a remnant low. The system subsequently dissipated the following day.
The 2022 Pacific hurricane season was a slightly above average hurricane season in the eastern North Pacific basin, with nineteen named storms, ten hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. Two of the storms crossed into the basin from the Atlantic. In the central North Pacific basin, no tropical cyclones formed. The season officially began on May 15 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the central; both ended on November 30. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in these regions of the Pacific and are adopted by convention.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active and extremely destructive Atlantic hurricane season which became the second costliest on record, inflicting at least $220 billion in damages and 400 deaths overall, most of which was caused by four systems: Beryl, Debby, Helene, and Milton. The season produced 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes; it was also the first since 2019 to feature multiple Category 5 hurricanes. Additionally, the season had the highest accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating since 2020, with a value of 161.6 units. The season officially began on June 1, and ended on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, have historically described the period in each year when most subtropical or tropical cyclogenesis occurs in the Atlantic Ocean.
Tropical Storm Fernand was a short-lived tropical cyclone that caused severe flooding in northern Mexico in early September 2019. The sixth named storm of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, Fernand developed from a broad area of low pressure that was first monitored in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on August 31. Gradual organization ensued as the low moved westward, and it developed into a tropical depression early on September 3. The cyclone quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Fernand six hours after formation, and attained peak winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) early on September 4. However, easterly wind shear and the cyclone's close proximity to the Mexican coast prevented further development, and Fernand weakened slightly before making landfall along the coast of northeastern Mexico at 15:15 UTC September 4. Fernand quickly weakened to a tropical depression as it moved over the Sierra Madre Oriental, and by 03:00 UTC on September 5, the cyclone had dissipated over the rugged terrain of Mexico. Fernand caused torrential, much-needed rainfall in Monterrey and other communities.
Hurricane Hanna was the first of a record-tying six Atlantic hurricanes to make landfall in the United States in one year. The eighth named storm and first hurricane of the extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Hanna developed from a tropical wave originating near Hispaniola. This disturbance dropped heavy rain upon parts of Hispaniola, Cuba, and Florida. The wave gradually became more organized and developed into a tropical depression in the central portion of the Gulf of Mexico. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm on July 24, setting a new record for the earliest eighth-named storm in the basin, getting its name 10 calendar days before the previous record holder, Tropical Storm Harvey of 2005. Hanna steadily intensified as it drifted toward Southern Texas, becoming the season's first hurricane early on July 25. It then began to quickly strengthen just before making landfall at 22:00 UTC later that day as a high-end Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 973 mbar. Hanna weakened quickly as it moved inland and turned west-southwest, eventually dissipating over Mexico on July 26.
Tropical Storm Alex was a strong and fast moving tropical storm that caused flash flooding in western Cuba and South Florida while developing into the first named storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season. Alex originated from a broad area of low pressure partially related to the remnants of Hurricane Agatha in the Eastern Pacific. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) initiated advisories on it as Potential Tropical Cyclone One over the eastern Yucatán Peninsula on June 2. Wind shear and dry air kept the system disorganized until after it crossed Florida two days later. Finally, on June 5, the system became sufficiently organized and was named Alex while located north of Grand Bahama Island. Later that same day, Alex's winds briefly strengthened to 70 mph (110 km/h). The storm brought rain and strong winds to Bermuda on June 6, before becoming a post-tropical cyclone that same day. Alex formed four days after the official start of the season, making the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season the first since 2014 not to have a pre-season named storm.
Tropical Storm Harold was a moderate tropical storm that made landfall in South Texas in August 2023. The eighth named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, Harold developed from a tropical wave that entered the Gulf of Mexico on August 20, after passing through the Bahamas and South Florida. The system steadily organized over the following days, over record-warm sea-surface temperatures in the Gulf, as it progressed westward. Although the disturbance had not become organized enough to become a tropical cyclone yet, due to the threat it posed to southern Texas, the United States–based National Hurricane Center (NHC) initiated advisories on the system as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on August 21. The disturbance organized into a tropical depression six hours later, before strengthening into a tropical storm the following morning and receiving the name Harold. Harold continued to strengthen as it moved quickly westward, and the cyclone made landfall on Padre Island, Texas, around 15:00 UTC on August 22, as a 60 mph (95 km/h) tropical storm. Harold quickly weakened as it moved inland over southern Texas and dissipated on August 23, though its remnant mid-level circulation and associated moisture affected the central United States for several more days.