Hurricane Otis
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Part of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season | |||
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Hurricane Otis is an active, explosively intensifying tropical cyclone in the eastern Pacific Ocean, currently threatening the Mexican state of Guerrero. The fifteenth storm, tenth hurricane and eighth major hurricane of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season, Otis originated from a disturbance several hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.
Meteorological history
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
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe NHC first noted on October 15 that an area of low pressure was expected to form south of Guatemala and El Salvador by the middle of the week.[1] A broad low-pressure area formed several hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on October 18 and was generating disorganized thunderstorms.[2] The system increased in organization over the next few days, becoming a tropical depression at 15:00 UTC on October 22. At that time, the depression had strong, increasing convective activity near its well-defined center.[3] Six hours later, the depression became a tropical storm and received the name Otis following a slight increase in organization. The nascent storm was moving slowly northward as it was located within a light steering flow between a low-pressure trough to its northwest and a high-pressure ridge to its northeast.[4]
Current storm information
As of 7:00 p.m. CDT October 24 (00:00 UTC October 25), Hurricane Otis is located within 20 nautical miles of 15°42′N 99°36′W / 15.7°N 99.6°W, about 85 miles (135 km) south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are 145 mph (230 km/h), gusts up to 175 mph (280 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 941 mbar (27.79 inHg), and the system is moving north-northwest at 8 mph (13 km/h). Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center, and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (115 km).
For the latest official information, see:
- The NHC's latest public advisory on Hurricane Otis
- The NHC's latest forecast advisory on Hurricane Otis
- The NHC's latest forecast discussion on Hurricane Otis
Watches and warnings
Template:HurricaneWarningsTable
Preparations and impact
Guerrero
In response to the approach of Hurricane Otis the Guerrero Government began preparing 396 shelters to accommodate residence displaced by wind and surge damage. Mexico's arm and navy sent 8,000 troops to support aid and rescue operations. Authorities in Guerrero closed Acapulco's main port.[5] Schools across Guerrero were to be closed ahead of Otis anticipated landfall.[6]
See also
- Weather of 2023
- Tropical cyclones in 2023
- Other tropical cyclones named Otis
- Hurricane Patricia (2015) – a Category 5 hurricane that became the most intense Pacific hurricane ever recorded; also underwent explosive intensification.
References
- ^ Zelinsky, David. Eastern Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook [500 PM PDT Sat Oct 14 2023] (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Berg, Robbie. Eastern Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook [500 AM PDT Wed Oct 18 2023] (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Cangialosi, John; Bucci, Lisa. Tropical Depression Eighteen-E Discussion Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Cangialosi, John; Bucci, Lisa. Tropical Storm Otis Discussion Number 2 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
- ^ Rivera, Jose (2023-10-24). "Hurricane Otis rapidly grows into Category 4 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast heading for Acapulco". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ Verdin, Javier (2023-10-24). "Hurricane Otis set to hit Mexico's Acapulco as Category 5 storm". Thomson Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
External links
Tropical cyclones of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season | ||
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