Tropical Storm Marco (2008)

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

Tropical Storm Marco originated in a broad area of low pressure that persisted over the northwestern Caribbean in early October, 2008. On October 4, a tropical wave reached the same area, and the system spawned a circulation center over Belize. Development of the low was initially inhibited by its proximity to land. As the system neared the Bay of Campeche, convection quickly developed around the low. At 00:00  UTC on October 6, the low was designated as Tropical Depression Thirteen while located over Laguna de Términos. [1] A mid-level ridge located to the north of the depression led to movement in a general west-northwest direction. Forecasters anticipated intensification up until landfall because of the storm's well-developed outflow and the low wind shear and high sea surface temperatures in its path. [3] By 12:00 UTC, the small cyclone, with a cloud shield no more than 85 miles (137 kilometers) across, was upgraded to Tropical Storm Marco. [1]

Favorable conditions for development allowed Marco to quickly intensify throughout the day on October 6. Early on October 7, Marco reached its peak intensity with winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 998  millibar (hPa; 29.47  inHg). [1] This was based on a reconnaissance mission into Marco which recorded flight-level winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), corresponding to a surface wind speed of 61 mph (98 km/h). Following the quick increase in intensity, forecasters noted the possibility of Marco intensifying into a hurricane before making landfall. [4] The storm maintained a small area of deep convection, averaging 9.2 miles (14.8 km) in diameter, as it continued moving towards the west-northwest. [5] Shortly after reaching peak intensity, tropical storm force winds extended 11.5 miles (18.5 km) from the center of Marco. [6] At 12:00 UTC, the center of Marco made landfall near Misantla, Veracruz, with winds of 65 mph (105 km/h). [1] Once inland, Marco rapidly weakened, [7] being downgraded to a tropical depression six hours after landfall. The small depression dissipated later that day over the mountains of Mexico. [1]

Preparations, impact, and records

Tropical Storms Marco (center), Norbert (bottom left), and the low that would eventually become Odile (bottom) on October 6. Marco Norber Odile 10-6-08 2245Z.jpg
Tropical Storms Marco (center), Norbert (bottom left), and the low that would eventually become Odile (bottom) on October 6.

Upon the storm's formation, the Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning for the Gulf of Mexico from Tuxpan to Punta El Lagarto. [8] That afternoon the government issued a hurricane watch between Cabo Rojo and Veracruz, and extended the tropical storm warning northward to Cabo Rojo. [9] Officials closed schools ahead of the storm and opened 200 shelters. [10] An estimated 3,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas along the coast. [11] Soldiers used school buses to transport evacuees to the shelters. [10] Marco formed in the area of Mexico's main oil-facilities, [12] leading to the evacuation of 33 workers from four platforms. Six oil wells and a natural gas processing plant were also shut down in Veracruz. The Mexican Secretariat of Communications and Transportation also closed the ports of Nautla and Alvarado to small vessels as a precautionary measure. [10]

Marco shortly after being upgraded to a tropical storm on October 6 Tropical Storm Marco on October 6 2008.jpg
Marco shortly after being upgraded to a tropical storm on October 6

Upon landfall, heavy rains peaking at 7.9 inches (201 millimeters) in El Pujal, San Luis Potosí [13] and falling at rates up to 1 inch per hour (25.4 mm/h), [1] caused some flooding in coastal towns near Veracruz as people evacuated to higher ground. [14] The rains from Marco worsened flood situations in areas of Mexico already suffering from severe flooding. [10] Officials in Veracruz, in their post-storm damage survey, reported that two rivers, the Quilate and Tenoch, overflowed their banks due to rains produced by Marco. [15] One of these rivers left the towns of Minatitlan and Hidalgotitlan under 10 ft (3 m) of water. [10] Highways along the coast of Veracruz were also flooded. [16] Another 250 homes were flooded when a lake and a river overflowed their banks. [17] Thirteen municipalities within Veracruz were affected by Marco. In Vega de Alatorre, 77 people were evacuated to nearby shelters after their homes were inundated with water. Three landslides were also reported in Misantla Colipa; none of them caused damage. [18] In all, Marco's impact was light; minimal damage was recorded, and none of the estimated 400,000 people affected by the storm sustained injury. [1] [19]

In the wake of Marco, the General Coordination of Civil Protection of the Ministry of the Interior declared a state of emergency for 48 municipalities in Veracruz. [20] [21] [22] Relief goods were distributed to the affected areas by October 9. The Government of Mexico reported that 4,700 blankets, 2,900 mattresses, 5,554 bottles of water (each containing 500 milliliters), 260,000 boxes of milk, 250,000 packages of biscuits, and 12,400 boxes of school supplies had been distributed. [23]

At 0052 UTC on October 7, tropical storm force winds extended 11.5 miles (18.5 km) from the center of Marco. This made Marco the smallest tropical cyclone ever recorded, surpassing the previous record set on December 24, 1974 by Cyclone Tracy, whose tropical storm-force winds extended 30 miles (48 km). [2] [1] [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

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

The 2002 Atlantic hurricane season was a near-average Atlantic hurricane season. It officially started on June 1, 2002, and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally limit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones develop in the Atlantic Ocean. The season produced fourteen tropical cyclones, of which twelve developed into named storms; four became hurricanes, and two attained major hurricane status. While the season's first cyclone did not develop until July 14, activity quickly picked up: eight storms developed in the month of September. It ended early however, with no tropical storms forming after October 6—a rare occurrence caused partly by El Niño conditions. The most intense hurricane of the season was Hurricane Isidore with a minimum central pressure of 934 mbar, although Hurricane Lili attained higher winds and peaked at Category 4 whereas Isidore only reached Category 3. However, Lili had a minimum central pressure of 938 mbar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Jose (2005)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2005

Tropical Storm Jose was a short-lived tropical storm which made landfall in central Mexico during August 2005. Jose was the tenth named storm of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season and the fourth of six tropical cyclones to make landfall in Mexico in that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Paul (2006)</span> Category 2 Pacific hurricane in 2006

Hurricane Paul was a hurricane that ultimately struck Mexico as a tropical depression in October 2006. It developed from an area of disturbed weather on October 21, and slowly intensified as it moved into an area of warm waters and progressively decreasing wind shear. Paul attained hurricane status on October 23, and later that day it reached its peak intensity of 105 mph (169 km/h), a strong Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. A strong trough turned the hurricane to the north and northeast into an area of strong vertical shear, and Paul weakened to a tropical storm on October 24. It accelerated northeastward, and after passing a short distance south of Baja California Sur the low level circulation became decoupled from the rest of the convection. Paul weakened to a tropical depression on October 25 a short distance off the coast of Mexico, and after briefly turning away from the coast it made landfall on northwestern Sinaloa on October 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Katrina (1999)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 1999

Tropical Storm Katrina was a short-lived, weak tropical cyclone that produced minor damage across areas previously devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Forming out of a broad area of low pressure in the southwestern Caribbean Sea on October 28, 1999, the disorganized tropical storm made landfall near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) on October 30 before weakening to a tropical depression. The remnants of the storm persisted until November 1, at which time it was absorbed by a cold front on the northern end of the Yucatán Peninsula.

<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 hurricanes formed and two 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">Timeline of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 2007 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. A near average Atlantic hurricane season, September had a record-tying eight storms, although the strength and duration of most of the storms was low. Also, for only the second time in recorded history, an Atlantic hurricane, Felix, and an eastern Pacific hurricane, Henriette, made landfall on the same day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Lorenzo (2007)</span> Category 1 Atlantic hurricane in 2007

Hurricane Lorenzo was a rapidly developing tropical cyclone that struck the Mexican state of Veracruz in late September 2007. The twelfth named storm and fifth hurricane of the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season, it formed in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico from a tropical wave. After meandering for two days without development, the storm began a steady westward track as its structure became better organized. In an 18‑hour period, Lorenzo's winds increased from 35 mph (55 km/h) to 80 mph (130 km/h), or from a tropical depression to a hurricane. On September 28 it struck near Tecolutla, Veracruz, a month after Hurricane Dean affected the same area, before it quickly dissipated over land.

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

Tropical Storm Arthur was the first Atlantic tropical storm that formed during the month of May since 1981. The first tropical cyclone of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, the storm formed on May 30, 2008 from the interaction of two tropical waves and the remnants of the eastern Pacific Tropical Storm Alma, which had crossed into the western Caribbean Sea. The system quickly organized and was named Tropical Storm Arthur on May 31, while crossing the shore of Belize. It dissipated two days later over the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Arthur and its remnants triggered severe flooding which killed a reported nine people and affected 100,000 more in Belize. Damage was light to moderate, estimated at $78 million (2008 USD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was an event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the north Atlantic Ocean. An above-average Atlantic hurricane season season, it was the first on record to have a major hurricane in every month from July to November.

<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 tenth 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 Pacific Ocean 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. Only eleven hurricanes formed and six 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 at least one cyclone of 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">Meteorological history of Hurricane Gustav</span>

The meteorological history of Hurricane Gustav spanned eleven days, from August 25 to September 4, 2008. The tropical disturbance which eventually spawned Hurricane Gustav gathered on August 16, southwest of the Cape Verde islands, but was slow to develop as it trekked west across the Atlantic. Upon reaching the warm waters of Caribbean Sea it began to organize and became a tropical depression on August 25. It quickly strengthened to a tropical storm, and then a hurricane, before making landfall on Haiti's southwest peninsula. Gustav was severely disrupted by Hispaniola's mountains and stalled, disorganized, in the Gulf of Gonâve between August 26 and 27.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1994 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1994 Atlantic hurricane season was the final season in the most recent negative Atlantic multidecadal oscillation period of tropical cyclone formation within the basin. Despite the below average activity, the season was very deadly, with almost 97% of deaths occurring during Hurricane Gordon, a devastating late-season tropical cyclone that severely impacted the Caribbean Sea, the Greater Antilles and the United States, and one of the longest-lived Atlantic hurricanes on record at the time. The season produced seven named tropical cyclones and three hurricanes, a total below the seasonal average. The season officially started on June 1 and ended on November 30, dates which conventionally limit the period during which most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean. The first tropical cyclone, Tropical Storm Alberto, developed on June 30, while the last storm, Hurricane Gordon, dissipated on November 21. The season was unusual in that it produced no major hurricanes, which are those of Category 3 status or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale. The most intense hurricane, Hurricane Florence, peaked as a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph (180 km/h). Aside from Chris, Florence, and Gordon, none of the storms exceeded tropical storm intensity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Depression Five-E (2008)</span> Pacific tropical depression in 2008

Tropical Depression Five-E was a tropical depression which made landfall along the south-western Mexican coastline in July 2008. It was the fifth tropical cyclone of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season. The depression developed out of a weak tropical wave which formed off the coast of Africa on June 23. The wave remained poorly organized throughout its journey through the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The wave entered the Eastern Pacific on July 2 after passing through Central America. The wave developed into an area of low pressure that afternoon.

<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 Barry (2013)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2013

Tropical Storm Barry was a weak and short-lived tropical cyclone that brought heavy rains to parts of Central America and Mexico in June 2013. Barry originated from a tropical wave that developed in the southern Caribbean Sea. The wave tracked northwestward and began to develop in marginally favorable conditions. On June 17, the disturbance was upgraded to Tropical Depression Two by the National Hurricane Center. Due to its close proximity to land, the system failed to intensify before crossing the southern Yucatán Peninsula. The depression emerged over the Bay of Campeche late on June 18 and became increasingly organized. During the afternoon of June 19, data from Hurricane Hunters revealed the system had intensified into a tropical storm. The newly named Barry attained peak winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) before making landfall in Veracruz, Mexico on June 20. Once onshore, the storm quickly weakened and degenerated into a remnant low that night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Dolly (2014)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2014

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 James L. Franklin (November 4, 2008). "Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Marco" (PDF). National Hurricane Center . Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  2. 1 2 Neal Dorst (May 29, 2009). "Subject: E5) Which are the largest and smallest tropical cyclones on record?". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  3. ↑ Richard J. Pasch; Jamie Rhome (October 6, 2008). "Tropical Depression Thirteen Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  4. ↑ Richard J. Pasch; Jamie Rhome (October 6, 2008). "Tropical Storm Marco Discussion Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  5. ↑ Stacy R. Stewart (October 7, 2008). "Tropical Storm Marco Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  6. ↑ Richard J. Pasch; Jamie Rhome (October 7, 2008). "Tropical Storm Marco Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  7. ↑ Richard J. Pasch; Jamie Rhome (October 7, 2008). "Tropical Depression Marco Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  8. ↑ Richard J. Pasch; Jamie Rhome (October 6, 2008). "Tropical Depression Thirteen Public Advisory One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  9. ↑ Richard J. Pasch; Jamie Rhome (October 6, 2008). "Tropical Storm Marco Public Advisory Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tropical Storm Marco hits Mexico's Gulf coast". USA Today. Associated Press. October 7, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Tropical Storm Marco hits Mexico's Gulf coast". NBC News. Associated Press. October 8, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  12. ↑ Robert Campbell (October 6, 2008). "Tropical storm Marco forms near Mexico oil fields". Reuters. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  13. ↑ "41st Session Country Report: Mexico" (in Spanish). World Meteorological Organization. 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Tropical Storm Marco lashes Mexico's Gulf coast". Reuters. October 7, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Press Release" (Press release) (in Spanish). Government of Veracruz. October 7, 2008. Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
  16. ↑ Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (October 10, 2008). "Mexico: Heavy rains flood Tabasco and Veracruz, ADRA responds". ReliefWeb. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
  17. ↑ A. Timoteo, R. Villalba, R. López, S. Ocampo, M. Habana, S. Maldonado y E. Argüelles (October 9, 2008). "Veracruz: causa Marco inundaciones y crecidas de ríos en 14 municipios". La Jornada (in Spanish). Retrieved January 24, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ↑ "Tormenta "Marcos" afecta 13 municipios de Veracruz" (in Spanish). Millennium Publishing Group. Notimex. October 7, 2008. Archived from the original on October 11, 2008. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Tropical Storm Marco hits Mexican coast, 2,000 people evacuated". Tehran Times. Chinaview. October 9, 2008. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Causa graves daños tormenta "Marco" en Veracruz". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Notimex en Xalapa. October 8, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Solicita Veracruz declaratoria de emergencia para 14 municipios". Revista Fundamentos (in Spanish). October 8, 2008. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  22. ↑ Karla Cancino (November 11, 2008). "Flood, a Chronicle of Tragedy". ImagenDelGolfo.com.mx (in Spanish). Xalapa. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Continúa distribución de víveres a afectados por lluvias en Veracruz". La Crónica de Hoy (in Spanish). Notimex en Xalapa. October 9, 2008. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
  24. ↑ National Hurricane Center (2009). "Atlantic Best Tracks, 1851 to 2008". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved May 21, 2009.
Tropical Storm Marco
Marco 6 oct 2008.jpg
Tropical Storm Marco near peak intensity, just north of Mexico on October 6
Tropical cyclones of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
2008 Atlantic hurricane season summary map.png

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.