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==Meteorological history==
==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Nate 2011 track.png}}On the morning of September 6, rain showers associated with a stationary [[Low-pressure area|low pressure system]] began to increase in intensity in the southern [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Avila|first=Lixion|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/atl/201109061131/index.php?basin=atl&current_issuance=201109061131|work=National Hurricane Center|date=6 September 2011|accessdate=7 September 2011}}</ref> By the afternoon of September 7, the system had intensified and became Tropical Storm Nate, with winds of 45&nbsp;mph (70&nbsp;km/h).<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Blake and David Zelinsky|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=7 September 2011|accessdate=7 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion One|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.001.shtml?}}</ref> During the morning of September 8, Nate continued to strengthen slowly, with winds picking up to 50&nbsp;mph (80&nbsp;km/h). The storm remained almost stationary, with most of the changes in the center of the storm being attributed to changes in the definition of the center, rather than actual movement of the system as a whole.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Brown|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=8 September 2011|accessdate=8 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Four|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.004.shtml?}}</ref> By that afternoon, maximum sustained winds had increased to 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h) based on oil rig data and Nate became a hurricane (based on post-analysis, it was not considered a hurricane operationally); however, the appearance of the storm on [[satellite imagery]] remained largely unchanged and the satellite appearance resembled a weak tropical storm as opposed to a Category 1 hurricane.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Brown|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=8 September 2011|accessdate=8 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Five|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.005.shtml?}}</ref>
{{storm path|Nate 2011 track.png}}On the morning of September 6, rain showers associated with a stationary [[Low-pressure area|low pressure system]] began to increase in intensity in the southern [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Avila|first=Lixion|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/gtwo/atl/201109061131/index.php?basin=atl&current_issuance=201109061131|work=National Hurricane Center|date=6 September 2011|accessdate=7 September 2011}}</ref> By the afternoon of September 7, the system had intensified and became Tropical Storm Nate, with winds of 45&nbsp;mph (70&nbsp;km/h).<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Blake and David Zelinsky|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=7 September 2011|accessdate=7 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion One|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.001.shtml?}}</ref> During the morning of September 8, Nate continued to strengthen slowly, with winds picking up to 50&nbsp;mph (80&nbsp;km/h). The storm remained almost stationary, with most of the changes in the center of the storm being attributed to changes in the definition of the center, rather than actual movement of the system as a whole.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Brown|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=8 September 2011|accessdate=8 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Four|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.004.shtml?}}</ref> By that afternoon, maximum sustained winds had increased to 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h) based on oil rig data and Nate became a hurricane (based on post-analysis, it was not considered a hurricane operationally); however, the appearance of the storm on [[satellite imagery]] remained largely unchanged and the satellite appearance resembled a weak tropical storm as opposed to a Category 1 hurricane.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Brown|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=8 September 2011|accessdate=8 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Five|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.005.shtml?}}</ref>
Kierstyn Was Here (:

By the early morning of September 9, Nate had weakened slightly due to dry air in western part of the Gulf of Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|author=James Franklin|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=9 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Seven|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.007.shtml?}}</ref> After largely remaining stationary, Nate finally began moving to the northwest later that morning;<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Brennan|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=9 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Eight|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.008.shtml?}}</ref> however, the storm had become stationary and weakened by that afternoon, with winds falling to 50&nbsp;mph (85&nbsp;km/h). This weakening was attributed to the dry air that had previously been hindering Nate's development, as well as a lack of [[atmospheric instability]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Brennan|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=9 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Nine|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.009.shtml?}}</ref> Despite the [[Numerical weather prediction|models]] predicting the cyclone would intensify, Nate simply maintained its intensity as the day went on, potentially due to dry air aloft or cooler waters causing a lack of instability near the center of the storm. The [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC) pointed out that such behavior was a good real-life example of the problems of forecasting the intensity of hurricanes, as the environment was favorable, and the models predicted strengthening, but no such strengthening was actually taking place.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Blake and Jack Beven|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=9 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Ten|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.010.shtml?}}</ref>
By the early morning of September 9, Nate had weakened slightly due to dry air in western part of the Gulf of Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|author=James Franklin|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=9 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Seven|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.007.shtml?}}</ref> After largely remaining stationary, Nate finally began moving to the northwest later that morning;<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Brennan|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=9 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Eight|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.008.shtml?}}</ref> however, the storm had become stationary and weakened by that afternoon, with winds falling to 50&nbsp;mph (85&nbsp;km/h). This weakening was attributed to the dry air that had previously been hindering Nate's development, as well as a lack of [[atmospheric instability]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Michael Brennan|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=9 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Nine|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.009.shtml?}}</ref> Despite the [[Numerical weather prediction|models]] predicting the cyclone would intensify, Nate simply maintained its intensity as the day went on, potentially due to dry air aloft or cooler waters causing a lack of instability near the center of the storm. The [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC) pointed out that such behavior was a good real-life example of the problems of forecasting the intensity of hurricanes, as the environment was favorable, and the models predicted strengthening, but no such strengthening was actually taking place.<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Blake and Jack Beven|work=National Hurricane Center|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=9 September 2011|accessdate=10 September 2011|title=Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Ten|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2011/al15/al152011.discus.010.shtml?}}</ref>


Revision as of 19:26, 5 December 2011

Hurricane Nate
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Nate on September 8
FormedSeptember 7, 2011
DissipatedSeptember 11, 2011
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 75 mph (120 km/h)
Lowest pressure994 mbar (hPa); 29.35 inHg
Fatalities4 direct, 1 indirect
Areas affectedMexico (Veracruz, Puebla, Hidalgo, Tlaxcala, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas & Valle de México)[1]
Part of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season

Hurricane Nate was an Atlantic hurricane that made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Mexico in early September. The sixteenth named storm and fourth hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, Hurricane Nate formed in the Bay of Campeche on September 7 and initially moved erratically. Slowly intensifying, the cyclone reached a peak intensity of 75 mph (120 km/h) on the afternoon of September 8, although the system's satellite appearance was not characteristic of such. Succeeding its peak as a minimal hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, a combination of cooler sea surface temperatures, due to upwelling, and dry air caused Nate to weaken below hurricane intensity early on September 9. Tracking towards the west, Nate made landfall as a minimal tropical storm with 45 mph (75 km/h) at midday on September 11, before weakening into a remnant low by 0000 UTC the following day, and dissipating shortly thereafter. No damage was reported in association with Hurricane Nate, although five people were killed in rough seas, and it is estimated that 800 homes were damaged in Veracruz.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
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
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On the morning of September 6, rain showers associated with a stationary low pressure system began to increase in intensity in the southern Gulf of Mexico.[2] By the afternoon of September 7, the system had intensified and became Tropical Storm Nate, with winds of 45 mph (70 km/h).[3] During the morning of September 8, Nate continued to strengthen slowly, with winds picking up to 50 mph (80 km/h). The storm remained almost stationary, with most of the changes in the center of the storm being attributed to changes in the definition of the center, rather than actual movement of the system as a whole.[4] By that afternoon, maximum sustained winds had increased to 75 mph (120 km/h) based on oil rig data and Nate became a hurricane (based on post-analysis, it was not considered a hurricane operationally); however, the appearance of the storm on satellite imagery remained largely unchanged and the satellite appearance resembled a weak tropical storm as opposed to a Category 1 hurricane.[5]

Kierstyn Was Here (: By the early morning of September 9, Nate had weakened slightly due to dry air in western part of the Gulf of Mexico.[6] After largely remaining stationary, Nate finally began moving to the northwest later that morning;[7] however, the storm had become stationary and weakened by that afternoon, with winds falling to 50 mph (85 km/h). This weakening was attributed to the dry air that had previously been hindering Nate's development, as well as a lack of atmospheric instability.[8] Despite the models predicting the cyclone would intensify, Nate simply maintained its intensity as the day went on, potentially due to dry air aloft or cooler waters causing a lack of instability near the center of the storm. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) pointed out that such behavior was a good real-life example of the problems of forecasting the intensity of hurricanes, as the environment was favorable, and the models predicted strengthening, but no such strengthening was actually taking place.[9]

In the early morning hours of September 10, Nate began to slowly move westward at 5 mph (7 km/h), while maintaining its intensity. Upwelling of cool water due to the slow moving nature of the storm counteracted the otherwise favorable environment and kept the storm from strengthening.[10] The cyclone strengthened in the afternoon, with winds increasing to 65 mph (100 km/h), as the storm continued to move to the west after briefly remaining stationary earlier in the day.[11]

On September 11 Nate began weakening, while picking up speed as it headed westward toward land.[12] Nate made landfall at approximately 11:00 a.m. CDT (1600 UTC) just north of Barra de Nautla, Mexico with 45 mph (75 km/h) winds. After making landfall the storm quickly weakened, with winds dropping to 35 mph (55 km/h) by the afternoon. The storm's path also shifted to the west-northwest.[13] By that evening the NHC determined that Nate had become a remnant low, with winds no greater than 30 mph (45 km/h).[14]

Preparations and impact

Tropical Storm Nate on September 10

Following Nate's declaration as a tropical cyclone, the Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning stretching from Chilitepec to Celestún, noting that tropical storm conditions were likely within 12 hours. Early on September 8, a tropical storm watch was issued from Celestún to Progreso. A day later, a tropical storm watches waere issued from La Cruz to Tampico and Veracruz to Punta El Lagarto. A hurricane watch was issued from Tampico to Veracruz, and three hours later, all tropical storm warnings were discontinued. On September 10, the tropical storm watch stretching from Veracruz to Punta El Lagarto was discontinued, and a tropical storm warning was issued from Tampico to Punta El Lagarto. By 1500 UTC, all tropical storm watches were discontinued, and at 2100 UTC, the tropical storm warning area was modified to Tampico to Tuxpan. At this time, the hurricane watch area was modified to Tampico to Tuxpan, and a hurricane warning was issued from Tampico to Veracruz. The following day, this hurricane warning was changed to a tropical storm warning following Nate's weakening trend. All hurricane watches were discontinued, and during the afternoon hours, all tropical storm warnings were discontinued.

On September 7, the Dos Bocas and Cayo Arcas ports, Mexico's two main crude oil export ports, closed in preparation for the storm.[15] Oil companies have said that they are monitoring the situation, but the storm has not yet affected production.[16] Ten contractors for Geokinetics were forced to abandon their lifeboat after evacuating the Trinity II rig. Seven of the ten men were rescued; however, one later died, and the bodies of two other men were recovered.[17] The body of the tenth man, who had remained listed as "missing" for several days, was recovered by the Mexican Navy on September 14.[18] Throughout Veracruz, 839 homes were damaged by the storm. A child was killed in Pánuco after a tree was struck by lightning and fell on his home.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tormenta 'Nate' afecta siete estados de la República Mexicana". Televisa. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  2. ^ Avila, Lixion (6 September 2011). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  3. ^ Eric Blake and David Zelinsky (7 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  4. ^ Daniel Brown (8 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  5. ^ Daniel Brown (8 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  6. ^ James Franklin (9 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Seven". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  7. ^ Michael Brennan (9 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  8. ^ Michael Brennan (9 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  9. ^ Eric Blake and Jack Beven (9 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Ten". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  10. ^ John Cangialosi and Lixion Avila (10 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Eleven". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  11. ^ Michael Brennan (10 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Thirteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  12. ^ Michael Brennan (11 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Sixteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  13. ^ Michael Brennan (11 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Seventeen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  14. ^ Richard Pasch (11 September 2011). "Tropical Storm Nate Discussion Eighteen". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  15. ^ Harrup, Anthony (7 September 2011). "Mexico Closes Another Gulf Oil Port As Tropical Storm Forms". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  16. ^ Kristen Hays; Erwin Seba (7 September 2011). "New system brews as U.S. Gulf ops resume after Lee". Reuters. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  17. ^ Solsman, Joan (12 September 2011). "Geokinetics: 3 Dead, 1 Still Missing In Gulf Of Mexico After Storm". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  18. ^ "Mexican navy recovers body of last of 10 oil workers who drifted in Gulf of Mexico in storm". The Washington Post. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  19. ^ Template:Es icon ""Nate" deja daños en 15 municipios de Veracruz". Informador. September 12, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
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