Hurricane Kiko (1989)

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Hurricane Kiko
Baja Peninsula on August 27
Meteorological history
FormedAugust 25, 1989
DissipatedAugust 29, 1989
Category 3 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds120 mph (195 km/h)
Lowest pressure955 mbar (hPa); 28.20 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone
Areas affectedBaja California Sur and Western Mexico
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1989 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Kiko was one of the strongest

rapidly intensified into a hurricane early the next day. Strengthening continued until early August 27, when Kiko reached its peak intensity with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h). The storm turned west at this time, and at around 0600 UTC, the storm made landfall near Punta Arena, Mexico at the southern tip of Baja California Sur
. The hurricane rapidly weakened into a tropical storm later that day and further into a tropical depression by August 28, shortly after entering the Pacific Ocean. The depression persisted for another day while tracking southward, before being absorbed by nearby Tropical Storm Lorena. Though Kiko made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, its impact was relatively minor. Press reports indicated that 20 homes were destroyed and numerous highways were flooded by torrential rains.

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

Unlike most other

rapid intensification, despite the proximity to land. A general northwestward drift was anticipated, and the NHC forecast the storm to reach hurricane intensity within 24 hours.[4]

Category 3 hurricane. Intensification continued for another six hours, ending around 0000 UTC on August 27, at which time the storm reached its peak intensity with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 955 mbar (hPa; 28.2 inHg).[1]

Around the time of peak intensity, Dvorak intensity estimates reached T6.0, equating to a minimal

Category 4 hurricane with winds of 135 mph (217 km/h).[11] A trough located to the north of the hurricane began to weaken, causing the storm to track in a more westward direction.[12] Kiko weakened slightly before making landfall near Punta Arena, on the southern tip of Baja California, with winds of 115 mph (185 kph).[1] Kiko was thus the second major hurricane to ever make landfall on the Gulf Coast of Baja California since reliable recordkeeping began in 1949, with the other being 1967's Hurricane Olivia.[13] Due to the small size and slow movement of the storm, it rapidly weakened, becoming a tropical storm by 1800 UTC.[1] Convection associated with the storm significantly diminished; the center of circulation became nearly devoid of thunderstorm activity early on August 28.[14] Shortly after emerging into the Pacific Ocean, Kiko was further downgraded into a tropical depression, and turned towards the southwest due to interaction with nearby Tropical Storm Lorena. Tropical Depression Kiko dissipated around 1800 UTC on August 29; however, its remnants continued southward before being absorbed by Lorena.[1]

Preparations and impact

Rainfall totals from Kiko

Around 2100 UTC on August 25, the Government of Mexico issued a

El Dorado. A hurricane watch was also issued for areas between Los Burros, Mexico and the southern tip of Baja California Sur along the Gulf of California. By 0900 UTC the following day, the hurricane watch was upgraded to a warning. Roughly three hours later, the previous hurricane watch issued for Sonora was discontinued as Kiko was no longer forecast to make landfall in the state. The hurricane warning on Baja California was also extended northward to Bahía Concepción. Due to uncertainty in Kiko's track, a hurricane watch was re-issued for Sonora between El Dorado and Los Mochis. Around 0900 UTC on August 27, a hurricane warning was issued for areas south of San Carlos on the Pacific coast of Baja California. The hurricane watch for Sonora was then discontinued. By 1800 UTC, the hurricane warnings on the Gulf Coast of Baja California were replaced by a tropical storm warning which was declared for areas between the southern tip of the peninsula and Bahía Concepción. At this time, the hurricane warning for the Pacific coast was revised to a tropical storm warning. Early on August 28, all watches and warnings were discontinued as Kiko weakened into a tropical depression and moved away from land.[15]

In Baja California Sur, more than 1,300 people evacuated to shelters in

Los Cabos, and amounted to 11.97 in (304 mm). Only a small portion of the peninsula received more than 10 in (250 mm) of rain.[21] At least 1,000 people were evacuated from heavily damaged areas. Press reports indicated that 20 homes were destroyed by Hurricane Kiko.[22] High winds, gusting over 109 mph (175 km/h), brought down numerous trees and power lines.[17]

Before Kiko's eye moved ashore, the airport near Cabo San Lucas reported sustained winds of 47 mph (76 km/h) with gusts up to 63 mph (101 km/h). Meteorological recordings near the place of landfall were not available as the small system tracked over a sparsely populated region.[20] From La Paz to Cabo San Lucas, power and water supplies were lost.[18] The heavy rains flooded several highways, and the resultant flood waters overturned a bus.[23] Passengers on the bus managed to escape injury and were quickly brought to shelter by the local fire department. The storm's effects washed out roughly 100 yd (91 m) of the San Antonio–San Bartolome highway.[24] The Rancho Leonero Resort in Buena Vista sustained severe roof damage and several docked boats were damaged.[25] Several days after Kiko dissipated, remnant moisture from the storm contributed to a complex weather system that produced torrential rainfall throughout the U.S. state of Kansas, unofficially reaching 16 in (410 mm) in localized areas.[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Max Mayfield (November 18, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Preliminary Report Page 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  2. ^ Lixion A. Avila (August 1991). "Atlantic Tropical Systems of 1990" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  3. ^ Gil Clark (August 25, 1989). "Tropical Storm Kiko Advisory One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  4. ^ Jerry Jarrell (August 25, 1989). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  5. ^ Max Mayfield (August 25, 1989). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  6. ^ Max Mayfield (November 18, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Preliminary Report Page 6". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  7. ^ Max Mayfield (August 26, 1989). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  8. ^ Bob Case (August 26, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  9. ^ Gil Clark (August 26, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Special Discussion Five". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  10. ^ Gil Clark (August 26, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Discussion Seven". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  11. ^ Max Mayfield (August 27, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  12. ^ Bob Case (August 27, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  13. ^ Hurricane Research Division (2009). "Eastern North Pacific Tracks File 1949-2008". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  14. ^ Hal Gerrish (August 27, 1989). "Tropical Storm Kiko Special Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  15. ^ Max Mayfield (November 18, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Preliminary Report Page 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  16. ^ "Hurricane Kiko Pounds Mexican Baja Peninsula". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 28, 1989. p. 8A.
  17. ^ a b "Hurricane Kiko Hits Baja California". The News. Associated Press. August 28, 1989.
  18. ^ a b Staff Writer (August 27, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Weakens Over Southern Baja California". Associated Press
  19. ^ "Baja braces for hurricane". Galveston Daily News. Associated Press. August 27, 1989.
  20. ^
    doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1990)118<1186:ENPHSO>2.0.CO;2
    .
  21. ^ David M. Roth (2009). "Hurricane Kiko - August 23–29, 1989". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved May 25, 2009.
  22. ^ Staff Writer (August 28, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko Weakens". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  23. ^ Earthweek (September 4, 1989). "Earthweek: A diary of the Planet". Syracuse Herald Journal.
  24. ^ Staff Writer (August 27, 1989). "Hurricane Kiko dissipates into slow-moving tropical storm", United Press International
  25. ^ Pete Thomas (June 21, 2002). "The Ranch has Animal Magnetism". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  26. ^ "Deluge Leaves Wichita Awash Storm Claims 2 Lives, Flooded Streets, Downs Power Lines". The Wichita Eagle. September 6, 1989. p. 1A.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurricane Kiko (1989).

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