Tropical Storm Cristina (1996)

Last updated
Map key
  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

Cristina likely originated from area of thunderstorms that was affiliated with a tropical wave that had passed over Panama on June 29. By June 30, thunderstorm activity increased while located west the Pacific coast of Central America. [1] At 1200 UTC July 1, as convective banding became organized, the National Hurricane Center initialed advisories Tropical Depression Five-E. At this time, the low located 300 miles (480 km) south of San Salvador, El Salvador. [1] With warm water and low wind shear, meteorologists anticipated strengthening into a hurricane. [2] [3]

Quickly organizing, the depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Cristina while 260 miles (420 km) south of Guatemala City, Guatemala. [1] During the night of July 12, the "tropical storm" peaked just under hurricane strength with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) [1] [4] and a minimum pressure of 991 mbar (hPa). [1] Early on July 3, the center of Tropical Storm Cristina crossed the Mexican coast near Puerto Ángel at peak intensity. [1] Within six hours, Cristina had weakened into a minimal tropical storm over the mountainous terrain of Mexico. [5] By early July 3, the remnants of the tropical storm had completely dissipated. [1]

Preparations, impact, and aftermath

Rainfall totals in Mexico from the storm. Cristina 1996 rainfall.png
Rainfall totals in Mexico from the storm.

On July 2, the Mexican government issued a tropical storm warning from the Mexico–Guatemala border to Punta Maldonado, Guerrero. [1] [6] Making landfall in the middle of the warning area, Cristina was the third storm to hit the region in less than two weeks. [1] [7] Tropical Storm Cristina dropped extremely heavy precipitation over southern Mexico and over 1,350 sites received rain. Many areas received more than 10 in (250 mm) of rainfall and a peak of 15.12 in (384 mm) fell in San Pedro Tapanatepec. [8]

One fisherman drowned, another went missing, and another was found alive after their fishing boat sank off the coast of Oaxaca. [1] Flash flooding and mudslides in Oaxaca killed five and in Guerrero at least seven people died. [9] In the latter state, 51 communities were flooded, thus leaving 350 people homeless. [10] In addition, 62 people were declared missing when eleven fishing boats were reported missing on July 2. [1] [11] On July 18, President Zedillo held meetings with the victims of Hurricane Boris and Cristina in Tecpan and Acapulco. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 2002 Pacific hurricane season was a near–average season which produced fifteen named storms. Eight hurricanes formed, including a record-equaling three Category 5 hurricanes, a record it shares with the 1994 and 2018 seasons. It was also a near-average season in terms of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), having an ACE of 125. The season officially began on May 15, 2002 in the East Pacific Ocean, and on June 1, 2002 in the Central Pacific; both ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclone formation occurs in these regions of the Pacific. The first system of the 2002 season, Hurricane Alma, formed on May 24, and the last, Tropical Depression Sixteen-E, dissipated on November 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1997 Pacific hurricane season was a very active hurricane season. With hundreds of deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, this was one of the deadliest and costliest Pacific hurricane seasons on record. This was due to the exceptionally strong 1997–98 El Niño event. The 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 almost all tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1996 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1996 Pacific hurricane season had below normal tropical cyclone activity, producing 9 tropical storms, of which 5 became hurricanes, with 2 of those intensifying into major hurricanes. With an Accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index of 53.9, the season ranks among the least intense Pacific hurricane seasons on record. It officially began May 15, 1996, in the eastern north Pacific and on June 1, 1996, in the central north Pacific. It ended on November 30, 1996. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The season slightly exceeded these bounds when tropical storm One-E formed on May 13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1995 Pacific hurricane season was the least active Pacific hurricane season since 1979, and marked the beginning of a multi-decade period of low activity in the basin. Of the eleven tropical cyclones that formed during the season, four affected land, with the most notable storm of the season being Hurricane Ismael, which killed at least 116 people in Mexico. The strongest hurricane in the season was Hurricane Juliette, which reached peak winds of 150 mph (240 km/h), but did not significantly affect land. Hurricane Adolph was an early-season Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Henriette brushed the Baja California Peninsula in early September.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1993 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1993 Pacific hurricane season included more than double the average number of major hurricanes – Category 3 or stronger cyclones on the Saffir–Simpson scale. This activity was the result of an El Niño event, which is the main factor contributing to above-average activity across the Pacific basin. The season featured 15 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 9 major hurricanes. While the number of named storms was near the long-term average, the number of hurricanes was above the average of 8, and the number of major hurricanes far exceeded the long-term average of 4. Seasonal activity began on May 17 and ended on November 8, within the confines of a traditional hurricane season which begins on May 15 in the East Pacific and June 1 in the Central Pacific. The season ends on November 30 in both basins. These dates conventionally delimit the period during each year when most tropical cyclones form.

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

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">1990 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1990 Pacific hurricane season was a very active season which observed 21 named storms within the basin. The season also produced the fourth highest ACE index value on record. The season was 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, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as illustrated in 1990 by the formation of the season's first named storm, Hurricane Alma, on May 12. At the time, this was the earliest formation of a tropical storm on record in the eastern Pacific

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1988 Pacific hurricane season was the least active Pacific hurricane season since 1981. It officially began May 15, in the eastern Pacific, and 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. The first named storm, Tropical Storm Aletta, formed on June 16, and the last-named storm, Tropical Storm Miriam, was previously named Hurricane Joan in the Atlantic Ocean before crossing Central America and re-emerging in the eastern Pacific; Miriam continued westward and dissipated on November 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 2008 Pacific hurricane season was a near-average Pacific hurricane season which featured seventeen named storms, though most were rather weak and short-lived. Only seven storms became hurricanes, of which two intensified into major hurricanes. This season was also the first since 1996 to have no cyclones cross into the central Pacific. The season officially began on May 15 in the eastern Pacific and on June 1 in the central Pacific. It ended in both regions on November 30. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical cyclone formation occurs in these regions of the Pacific. This season, the first system, Tropical Storm Alma, formed on May 29, and the last, Tropical Storm Polo, dissipated on November 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Kiko (2007)</span> Pacific tropical cyclone

Tropical Storm Kiko was a strong tropical storm that capsized a boat off the western coast of Mexico, killing at least 15 people. The 15th and final tropical cyclone of the 2007 Pacific hurricane season, Kiko developed out of a tropical wave that formed off the coast of Africa on September 26 and traversed the Atlantic. The wave crossed over Central America and entered the Pacific Ocean on October 8, where it spawned Tropical Depression 15-E on October 15. The depression drifted to the south over the next day before briefly being declared Tropical Storm Kiko. It subsequently weakened into a tropical depression, but later reattained tropical storm intensity. By October 18, Kiko was forecast to make landfall along the western Mexican coastline as a moderate tropical storm. However, the cyclone turned to the west and reached its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) on October 20. The tropical storm slowly weakened to a remnant low-pressure area by October 24 and completely dissipated on October 27 without making landfall.

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

Tropical Storm Julio was a tropical storm that made landfall on the southern tip of Baja California Sur in August 2008. The eleventh named storm of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season, it developed from a tropical wave on August 23 off the coast of Mexico. It moved parallel to the coast, reaching peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) before moving ashore and weakening. On August 26 it dissipated in the Gulf of California. Julio was the third tropical cyclone to make landfall in the Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone basin during the season, after Tropical Storm Alma, which struck Nicaragua in May, and Tropical Depression Five-E, which moved ashore along southwestern Mexico in July. The storm brought locally heavy rainfall to southern Baja California, killing one person and leaving several towns isolated. Moisture from Julio reached Arizona, producing thunderstorms, including one which damaged ten small planes in Chandler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 2006 Pacific hurricane season was the first above-average season since 1997 which produced twenty-five tropical cyclones, with nineteen named storms, though most were rather weak and short-lived. There were eleven hurricanes, of which six became major hurricanes. Following the inactivity of the previous seasons, forecasters predicted that season would be only slightly above active. It was also the first time since 2003 in which one cyclone of at least tropical storm intensity made landfall. The season officially began on May 15 in the East Pacific Ocean, and on June 1 in the Central Pacific; they ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Pacific basin. However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Boris (1996)</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 1996

Hurricane Boris was the second of three storms to impact the Pacific coast of Mexico in June and July 1996. The fourth tropical cyclone and second hurricane of the 1996 Pacific hurricane season, Boris formed out of a tropical wave roughly 250 mi (400 km) south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on June 27. The storm gradually intensified, becoming a tropical storm the following day and then hurricane on June 29. As the storm neared landfall, an eye developed and Boris reached its peak intensity with winds of 90 mph (140 km/h). Shortly after, the hurricane made landfall along the south coast of Mexico, between Lázaro Cárdenas and Acapulco, at this intensity. Boris quickly weakened following its landfall, becoming a tropical depression roughly 18 hours later. The remnants of the system persisted until July 1, at which time it dissipated just offshore the Mexican coastline. Boris caused heavy flooding in southern Mexico that resulted in ten fatalities; however, a damage estimate is unknown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Barbara (2013)</span> Pacific hurricane in 2013

Hurricane Barbara was the easternmost landfalling Pacific hurricane on record. As the first hurricane of the 2013 Pacific hurricane season, Barbara developed from a low-pressure area while located southeast of Mexico on May 28. It headed slowly north-northeastward and strengthened into a tropical storm early on the following day. After recurving to the northeast, Barbara intensified into a Category 1 hurricane on May 29 and made landfall in Chiapas at peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a barometric pressure estimated at 983 mbar. When the hurricane made landfall, it was the second earliest landfalling hurricane in the basin since reliable records began in 1966. Barbara then moved across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and dissipated within the mountainous terrain of Sierra Madre de Chiapas on May 30.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Carlos (2003)</span> Pacific tropical storm in 2003

Tropical Storm Carlos was the first of five tropical cyclones to make landfall during the 2003 Pacific hurricane season. It formed on June 26 from a tropical wave to the south of Mexico. It quickly strengthened as it approached the coast, and early on June 27 Carlos moved ashore in Oaxaca with winds of 65 mph (105 km/h). The storm rapidly deteriorated to a remnant low, which persisted until dissipating on June 29. Carlos brought heavy rainfall to portions of southern Mexico, peaking at 337 mm (13.3 in) in two locations in Guerrero. Throughout its path, the storm damaged about 30,000 houses, with a monetary damage total of 86.7 million pesos. At least nine people were killed throughout the country, seven due to mudslides and two from river flooding; there was also a report of two missing fishermen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Olaf (1997)</span> Pacific tropical storm in 1997

Tropical Storm Olaf was an erratic and long-lived tropical cyclone that brought heavy rainfall to regions of Mexico, which would be devastated by Hurricane Pauline a week later. The sixteenth named storm of the 1997 season, Olaf formed on September 26 off the southern coast of Mexico. It moved northward and quickly intensified, reaching peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) before weakening and hitting Oaxaca as a tropical depression. In Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala, the system brought heavy rainfall, which killed 18 people and caused flooding and damage. It was originally thought that Olaf dissipated over Mexico, although its remnants continued westward for a week. It interacted with Hurricane Pauline, which caused Olaf to turn to the southeast and later to the north to strike Mexico again, finally dissipating on October 12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Frank (2010)</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 2010

Hurricane Frank was a Category 1 hurricane that caused minor damage in Mexico in late August 2010. The ninth tropical cyclone, sixth named storm, and third hurricane of the inactive 2010 Pacific hurricane season, Frank formed from an area of thunderstorms from the Caribbean Sea, and became Tropical Depression Nine-E on August 21 while located just south of the Mexican Coast. It moved northwest, and became Tropical Storm Frank only 12 hours after it was declared a depression. It strengthened to its initial peak as a moderate tropical storm, and weakened due to increasing wind shear late on the August 23. It later recovered, and became a hurricane on August 25. After peaking as a strong Category 1 hurricane, it rapidly weakened, and dissipated on August 28. Although Frank never made landfall, it did impact western Mexico. A total of six people were killed with over 800,000 people affected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 2022 Pacific hurricane season was an 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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Mayfield, Max (August 11, 1996). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Cristina". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  2. Mayfield, Max (July 1, 1996). "Tropical Depression Five-E Discussion 1". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  3. Pasch, Richard J. (July 1, 1996). "Tropical Storm Cristina Discussion 2". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  4. Avila, Lixon A. (July 2, 1996). "Tropical Storm Cristina Discussion 6". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  5. Pasch, Richard J. (July 3, 1996). "Tropical Storm Cristina Discussion 8". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  6. Mayfield, Max (July 2, 1996). "Tropical Storm Cristina Advisory 4". National Hurricane Center . Retrieved 2009-06-27.
  7. "Mexican hurricane". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 3, 1996. p. 5. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  8. David M. Roth. "Tropical Storm Cirstina". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center . Retrieved October 1, 2011.
  9. "U.S. Embassy in Pakistan orders tighter security". Chicago Sun-Times. July 8, 1996. p. 22.
  10. "TROPICAL STORM KILLS FIVE IN MEXICO". Sun Sentinel - Fort Lauderdale. July 8, 1996.
  11. "62 Fishermen Missing After Tropical Storm". Los Angeles Times. July 4, 1996.
  12. Mexican Government (1996). "Victims for Boris and Cristina". Mexico. Archived from the original on June 28, 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
Tropical Storm Cristina
Cristina 03 july 1996 1319Z.jpg
Tropical Storm Cristina at peak intensity on July 3 off the Mexican coast.