2003 Pacific hurricane season: Difference between revisions

2003 Pacific hurricane season
2003 Pacific hurricane season
Seasonal boundaries
First system formed	{{{First storm formed}}}
Last system dissipated	{{{Last storm dissipated}}}
Seasonal statistics
Total fatalities	Unknown
Total damage	Unknown
	seasons; 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit Next edit →

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Revision as of 19:56, 9 August 2006

The 2003 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 2003 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 2003 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 2003. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The most notable cyclones this year were Hurricanes Ignacio and Marty, which killed 2 and 12 people in Mexico, respectively. This season was the first Pacific hurricane season since 1977 to have no systems become major hurricanes by reaching Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The total number of named storms was 16, which is slightly above average.

Storms

Tropical Storm Andres

A tropical wave developed into a tropical depression on May 19 well to the south of Mexico as it moved west. A good outflow developed and it became a tropical storm the next day, before reaching its peak strength with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Increasing shear prevented any further development as the storm quickly west-northwest. On May 25 the shear and a reduction in water temperatures weakened Andres to a tropical depression and it dissipated soon after. The storm did not approach land.^[1]

The National Hurricane Center (NHC)'s archive on Tropical Storm Andres

Tropical Storm Blanca

Tropical Depression Two-E formed when an organized tropical wave interacted with another disturbance near the southwestern Mexican coast early on June 17. The storm strengthened and became Tropical Storm Blanca 12 hours later. The storm moved slowly to the west and reached its peak on June 18 with 60 mph (95 km/h) winds. Although Blanca never developed a true eye, at its peak there was a ring of convection resembling one. Under the influence of strong shear from the southeast Blanca began to weaken and move erratically. The storm degenerated to a remnant low on June 22 and lasted a further two days. There were no effects from Blanca on land.^[2]

The NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Blanca

Tropical Storm Carlos

A tropical wave formed into Tropical Depression Three-E off the coast of Mexico on June 26. Tropical Storm warnings were immediately issued for the Mexican coast and the system soon strengthened into Tropical Storm Carlos. The storm made landfall at its peak with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) to the west of Puerto Escondido in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The storm rapidly weakened as its circulation was disrupted by the mountainous terrain, before the remnant depression moved out to sea where it dissipated on June 29. There was no serious damage in Mexico, but 44 coastal communities in Oaxaca suffered minor flooding and power cuts.^[3]

The NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Carlos

Tropical Storm Dolores

Convection developed within an area of low pressure embedded in a tropical wave as it moved west. The disturbance organized into Tropical Depression Four-E on July 6 well to the south-southwest of the tip of Baja California. It soon strengthened further into Tropical Storm Dolores as it moved to the northwest and reached its peak as a minimal tropical storm with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). However wind shear had an adverse effect on Dolores and it weakened into back into a depression 12 hours after becoming a tropical storm. The northwest motion brought it over colder water and it dissipated on July 9.^[4]

The NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Dolores

Tropical Storm Enrique

Template:Storm pics On July 10, a tropical wave formed into Tropical Depression Five-E. The storm became more organized and was named Tropical Storm Enrique the next day at an unusually high latitude. The storm continued to strengthen and at one point was forecast to briefly become a hurricane.^[5] This did not occur as the storm reached its peak strength with 65 mph (100 km/h) winds. It maintained this strength before moving over significantly cooler water on late on July 12. Due to the cold water temperatures Enrique rapidly weakened, despite favorable atmospheric conditions. The storm degenerated into a remnant low late on July 13 and continued to move west before dissipating after a futher 3 days. Enrique had no effects on land, but there were two ship reports of tropical storm force winds.^[6]

The NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Enrique

Tropical Storm Felicia

A tropical wave passed over Central America on July 12 and started to become more organized two days later. It formed into a tropical depression on July 17 as it continued to move to the west. The depression became Tropical Storm Felicia the next day and as there was low shear over the system, the NHC predicted that it would become a minimal hurricane.^[7] However, the storm remained disorganized and peaked with 50 mph (85 km/h) winds late on July 18. The storm gradually weakened under increasing shear as it headed west, weakening back to a tropical depression on July 20. The remnant low entered the central Pacific before dissipating on July 24 well to the east of the Hawaii. Felicia had no effects on land.^[8]

The NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Felicia

Tropical Storm Guillermo

A weak surface low developed within a tropical wave on August 6 and the convection associated with it became isolated from that of the wave. The circulation of the system became better defined an Tropical Depression Seven-E formed early the next day. Although the depression was initially foreast to dissipate quickly,^[9] it became more organized as it moved to the west. On August 8 it became Tropical Storm Guillermo and it reached its peak strength with 60 mph (95 km/h) winds that day. It maintained this strength for a full day, until outflow from the developing Tropical Storm Hilda to its east disrupted its convection. The remnant low entered the central Pacific shortly before dissipating on August 13.^[10]

The NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Guillermo
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC)'s report on Tropical Storm Guillermo

Tropical Storm Hilda

A tropical wave developed persistent thunderstorm activity on August 5, which soon became more organized, forming into Tropical Depression Eight-E to the south of Cabo San Lucas. An impressive outflow pattern caused the NHC to predict an intensification to hurricane strength,^[11] but strong easterly shear affected the system. The depression became Tropical Storm Hilda on August 10 but did not get any stronger than a minimal tropical storm with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). Hilda moved west-northwest before it moved over colder waters, which caused it to weaken. Low-level flow forced the weakening cyclone westwards and it dissipated on August 13, having never approached land.^[12]

The NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Hilda

Hurricane Ignacio

Template:Storm pics A tropical wave organized into a distinct area of disturbed weather just south of Manzanillo, Mexico on August 22 and gradually moved to the northwest. It became Tropical Depression Nine-E off Cabo Corrientes two days later and under the influence of favorable atmospheric conditions rapidly strengthened. It was named Tropical Storm Ignacio on August 25 before it peaked as a 105 mph (165 km/h) hurricane on August 26, the first of the season. Ignacio entered the southern Gulf of California before it made landfall just to the east of La Paz. Ignacio weakened overland and dissipated on August 28 over central Baja California. Due to the storm’s slow movement, rainfall was high and the resulting flooding was severe.^[13] Two rescue workers drowned in the flood waters brought by the storm and some 10,000 people were evacuated to shelters.^[14]

The NHC's archive on Hurricane Ignacio

Hurricane Jimena

On August 28, an area of disturbed weather within the Intertropical Convergence Zone developed into Tropical Depression Ten-E, some 1725 miles (2775 km) east of the Hawaiian Islands. The storm rapidly developed over warm ocean waters, gaining an eye shortly before it became Hurricane Jimena on August 29. The storm moved to the west, entering the central Pacific as it continued to strengthen. After reaching its peak strength with 105 mph (165 km/h) winds 800 mph (1300 km) to the east of Hawaii it began to weaken as a result of increased shear. The storm passed about 120 miles (195 km) to the south of the southern tip of Hawaii on September 1, just after losing hurricane strength. The storm then moved west, south of the archipelago becoming a tropical depression on September 3. The weakening Jimena crossed the International Date Line before dissipating on September 5.^[15] The storm brought 6 to 10 inches (150 to 250 mm) of rain on 11 foot (3.3 meter) surf to the island of Hawaii. There were also tropical storm force winds recorded on several of the Hawaiian Islands, but there was no significant damage.^[16]

The NHC's archive on Hurricane Jimena

Tropical Storm Kevin

A large low pressure area developed within a tropical wave and organized slowly into Tropical Depression Eleven-E on September 3 south-southwest of the tip of Baja California. The broad wind field prevented rapid intensification and the system reached tropical storm strength on September 4. Although wind shear was light, Kevin weakened into a depression after just six hours, as it moved over colder waters. On September 6 the system degenerated to a non-convective low pressure area, which managed to survive for four days before finally dissipating. Tropical Storm Kevin had no effects on land.^[17]

The NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Kevin

Hurricane Linda

Convection began to increase in a tropical wave on September 9 and a few days later a surface low developed. On September 12 it organized into Tropical Depression Twelve-E to the southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. The cyclone moved to the northwest, becoming a tropical storm on September 14 before reaching its peak strength as a Category 1 hurricane with 75 mph (120 km/h) winds. The National Hurricane Center predicted further strengthening,^[18] but this did not occur and Linda weakened back to a tropical storm after just 12 hours as a hurricane. As the storm continued to weaken it turned to the west and then to the southwest, becoming a tropical depression on September 17. The remnant drifted to the southwest and finally dissipated on September 26. There were no reports of any effects from this storm.^[19]

The NHC's archive on Hurricane Linda

Hurricane Marty

Template:Storm pics

A tropical wave moved into the Pacific Ocean on September 10 and the convection associated with it gradually increased. By September 16 while the system was south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas it organized into Tropical Depression Thirteen-E. The depression strengthened as it headed towards Baja California, becoming a tropical storm on September 19 and a hurricane two days later. Hurricane Marty reached its peak strength on September 22, just before it made landfall at Cabo San Lucas, when it was packing winds of 100 mph (155 km/h). After moving over the southern tip of the peninsula Marty moved up the western coast of the Gulf of California, gradually weakening as it did so. The storm weakened to a tropical depression on September 23 and dissipated two days later after meandering over the northern Gulf.^[20]

Hurricane Marty was the deadliest storm of the 2003 Pacific hurricane season and was responsible for 12 deaths and either damaged or destroyed over 4,000 homes. It brought heavy rainfall to to the entire region and some rain affected the Southwest United States.^[20] A 5 foot (1.5 meter) storm surge flooded parts of La Paz and sank 25 yachts moored in various ports.^[21]

The NHC's archive on Hurricane Marty

Hurricane Nora

A tropical wave moved over Central America on September 25 and moved parallel to the south Mexican coast. It became more organzied on October 1 and developed into Tropical Depression Fourteen-E to the south of Baja California. It continued to strengthen as it moved northwest in favorable conditions, becoming a tropical storm the next day. On October 4 it became a hurricane and reached its peak that day with 105 mph (165 km/h) winds. Nora made a sharp turn to the east and began to weaken, as the result of the influence of a mid-level trough and the outflow from Hurricane Olaf to the southeast. The cyclone rapidly weakened before it made landfall just north of Mazatlán on September 9. Nora dissipated over land soon after landfall. Hurricane Nora was the strongest storm of the season and brought heavy rain to the Mexican state of Sinaloa, but there was no significant damage or casualties.^[22]

The NHC's archive on Hurricane Nora

Hurricane Olaf

A tropical wave became increasingly organized on October 2 to the south-southeast of Acapulco and developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen-E the next day. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Olaf six hours after forming as it moved to the northwest in a low shear environment. Olaf reached its peak strength as a minimal hurricane with 75 mph (120 km/h) winds on October 5 and developed a partial eyewall. The storm soon became disorganized and was only a hurricane for a few hours, before turning towards the Mexican coast. Olaf made landfall near Manzanillo on October 7 and soon dissipated overland. The storm caused severe flooding in the states of Jalisco and Guanajuato which damaged crops, roads and over 12,000 houses. However, there were no deaths as a result of Hurricane Olaf.^[23]

The NHC's archive on Hurricane Olaf

2003 storm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the eastern Pacific in 2003. No names were retired by the WMO, therefore this list will be used again in the 2009 Pacific hurricane season. This is the same list used for the 1997 season except for Patricia, which replaced Pauline. A storm was named Patricia for the first time in 2003. No central Pacific names were used; the first name used would have been Ioke. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.

Andres
Blanca
Carlos
Dolores
Enrique
Felicia
Guillermo
Hilda

Ignacio
Jimena
Kevin
Linda
Marty
Nora
Olaf
Patricia

Rick (unused)
Sandra (unused)
Terry (unused)
Vivian (unused)
Waldo (unused)
Xina (unused)
York (unused)
Zelda (unused)

References

External links

Template:Pacific hurricane season categories

[1] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003andres.shtml?

[2] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003blanca.shtml?

[3] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003carlos.shtml?

[4] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003dolores.shtml?

[5] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep052003.discus.007.shtml?

[6] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003enrique.shtml?

[7] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep062003.discus.003.shtml?

[8] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003felicia.shtml?

[9] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep072003.discus.001.shtml?

[10] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003guillermo.shtml?

[11] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep082003.discus.002.shtml?

[12] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003hilda.shtml?

[13] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003ignacio.shtml?

[14] ttp://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/f27425e53679685149256d8e0018d6c4?OpenDocument

[15] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003jimena.shtml?

[16] ttp://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/2003/jimena/jimena.php

[17] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003kevin.shtml?

[18] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep122003.discus.007.shtml?

[19] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003linda.shtml?

[MartyTCR-20] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003marty.shtml?

[21] ttp://wwwnotes.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/480fa8736b88bbc3c12564f6004c8ad5/6fefdca9001e9b4649256dab00153a17?OpenDocument

[22] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003nora.shtml?

[23] ttp://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003olaf.shtml?

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

@@ Line 104: / Line 104: @@
 ===Hurricane Olaf===
+{{storm path|Olaf 2003 track.png}}
-Olaf formed from Tropical Depression Fifteen-E on [[October 3]] a couple hundred miles south of the southern Mexican coast. Olaf headed northeast, steadily strengthening. The storm briefly reached hurricane strength before weakening to a tropical storm again and turning sharply east toward the coast. Olaf made landfall near [[Manzanillo, Mexico|Manzanillo]] on [[October 7]]. 12,000 houses were damaged by flooding but no one was killed.
+A tropical wave became increasingly organized on [[October 2]] to the south-southeast of [[Acapulco]] and developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen-E the next day. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Olaf six hours after forming as it moved to the northwest in a low shear environment. Olaf reached its peak strength as a minimal hurricane with 75 mph (120 km/h) winds on [[October 5]] and developed a partial eyewall. The storm soon became disorganized and was only a hurricane for a few hours, before turning towards the Mexican coast. Olaf made landfall near [[Manzanillo, Colima|Manzanillo]] on [[October 7]] and soon dissipated overland. The storm caused severe flooding in the states of [[Jalisco]] and [[Guanajuato]] which damaged crops, roads and over 12,000 houses. However, there were no deaths as a result of Hurricane Olaf.<ref>http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2003olaf.shtml?</ref>
+*The NHC's [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/OLAF.shtml? archive on Hurricane Olaf]
 <div style="clear: both"></div>