Hurricane Lester (1998)

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Hurricane Lester
Puerto Angel, Oaxaca
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 15, 1998
DissipatedOctober 26, 1998
Category 3 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds115 mph (185 km/h)
Lowest pressure965 mbar (hPa); 28.50 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities2 total
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedMexico
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata
Part of the 1998 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Lester was a small but powerful

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
. After several days, it degenerated into a tropical storm on October 26, and dissipated shortly after. The hurricane made its closest approach to land on October 28, producing moderate winds and heavy rainfall. A mudslide triggered by the precipitation killed two children, although damage is unknown.

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

A

Hurricane Lisa. The wave axis continued westward, and after crossing Central America a low-level circulation developed on October 13, about 170 miles (270 km) south of the border between El Salvador and Guatemala. The system drifted northwestward, and as convection increased around the center a banding featured began to develop. At 0000 UTC on October 15, the National Hurricane Center designated it as Tropical Depression Fourteen-E.[1] The depression contained a large envelope of convective activity, and under favorable conditions including warm water, low vertical wind shear and good outflow, it gradually began to intensify.[2] Initially, the exact direction of forward movement was somewhat uncertain, although a northwestward track was predicted.[3] On the morning of October 15, visible satellite imagery suggested that the center of circulation was located northeast of the previous estimates.[4] Thunderstorm activity organized close to the center by 1400 UTC,[5] and by 1800 UTC the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Lester.[1]

Shortly thereafter, the storm took a slight jog to the west,

Puerto Angel, Oaxaca.[1] Later that day, it weakened to Category 1 status,[12] although quickly re-intensified.[13]

Vertical

Baja California Peninsula, shortly before dissipating.[1]

Preparations and impact

Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

In anticipation of the storm, the government of Mexico issued a hurricane warning from Puerto Arista to Punta Maldonaldo and later from Salina Cruz to Acapulco. A tropical storm warning was also issued from Sipacate, Guatemala to Puerto Arista, Mexico.[1] The threat of the hurricane prompted officials to order the evacuation of 3,000 people along the southern coast of Mexico to 500 emergency shelters.[17]

The storm dropped heavy rainfall across southwestern Guatemala. Up to 9 inches (230 mm) of rainfall was reported in localized areas along the Pacific coast of the country. Moisture brought around the northeast periphery of the Sierra Madre Occidental led to a narrow band of heavy rainfall along the upslope side of the mountain range, with a local precipitation maximum exceeding 14 inches (360 mm).[18] It is reported that tropical-storm-force winds occurred along coastal areas of southern Mexico.[1] The rainfall destroyed some houses and killed numerous livestock, and triggered a mudslide which killed two children.[19][20][21] In Honduras, rainfall from Lester destroyed a bridge which affected transportation for about 1,000 people.[22] Heavy rainfall was reported in Chiapas, causing moderate river flooding though no reported damage.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Miles Lawrence (1998). "Hurricane Lester Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  2. ^ John Guiney (1998). "Tropical Depression Fourteen-E Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  3. ^ Richard Pasch (1998). "Tropical Depression Fourteen-E Discussion Number 2". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  4. ^ Edward Rappaport (1998). "Tropical Depression Fourteen-E Discussion Number 3". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  5. ^ Edward Rappaport (1998). "Tropical Depression Fourteen-E Discussion Number 4". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  6. ^ John Guiney (1998). "Tropical Storm Lester Discussion Number 5". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  7. ^ Lixion Avila (1998). "Tropical Storm Lester Discussion Number 6". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  8. ^ Edward Rappaport (1998). "Hurricane Lester Discussion Number 8". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-28.
  9. ^ Lixion Avila (1998). "Hurricane Lester Discussion Number 10". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  10. ^ Edward Rappaport (1998). "Hurricane Lester Discussion Number 11". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  11. ^ Richard Pasch (1998). "Hurricane Lester Discussion Number 14". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  12. ^ Richard Pasch (1998). "Hurricane Lester Discussion Number 18". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  13. ^ John Guiney (1998). "Hurricane Lester Discussion Number 19". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  14. ^ John Guiney (1998). "Hurricane Lester Discussion Number 20". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  15. ^ Lixion Avila (1998). "Tropical Storm Lester Discussion Number 35". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  16. ^ Brian Jarvinen (1998). "Tropical Storm Lester Discussion Number 41". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  17. ^ a b "Thousands flee Mexico coast as Hurricane Lester nears". Associated Press. 1998-10-18.
  18. ^ Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (2007). Hurricane Lester. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  19. ^ Calgary Herald (1998-10-17). "Weather Kills Two in Guatemala".
  20. ^ "Hurricane kills two, heads for Mexican coast leaves flooding in Guatemala". San Jose Mercury News. Associated Press. 1998.
  21. ^ "Storm kills two in Guatemala, roars toward southern Mexico". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. 1998.
  22. ^ Xinhua News Agency (1998-10-17). "Heavy Rains Bring Bridge Down in Honduras".

External links

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