Tropical Storm Dolly (2014)

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Tropical Storm Dolly
Tropical Storm Dolly approaching Mexico on September 2
Meteorological history
FormedSeptember 1, 2014
Remnant lowSeptember 3
DissipatedSeptember 4, 2014
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds50 mph (85 km/h)
Lowest pressure1000 mbar (hPa); 29.53 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities1 indirect
Damage$22.2 million (2014 USD)
Areas affectedEastern and Northeastern Mexico, Texas
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata

Part of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Dolly was a short-lived and disorganized

remnant low
. The system subsequently dissipated the following day.

Prior to Dolly's landfall, schools suspended classes and officials opened shelters across Tamaulipas and

southern Texas
.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
  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 August 19, 2014, a tropical wave emerged off the west coast of Africa. The system traversed the Atlantic over the next week with no signs of development. Convection finally increased once the wave entered the Caribbean Sea on August 27; however, it was not until August 30 when interaction with a Kelvin wave spurred organization. An area of low pressure consolidated within the system as it crossed the Yucatán Peninsula on August 31.[1] Formation of a banding feature along the southeastern portion of the circulation on September 1 marked the system's transition into a tropical depression by 18:00 UTC while over the Bay of Campeche.[2] Although situated over warm waters of 30 °C (86 °F), strong wind shear created an unfavorable environment and hindered intensification.[2] During this formative stage, the depression tracked northward as its center relocated before turning to the northwest and later west.[1][3] It was uncertain if a closed circulation truly existed due to conflicting data and the depression could have remained a trough until the afternoon of September 2.[1]

Early on September 2, the depression acquired gale-force winds and became the fourth tropical storm of the

landfall just south of Tampico at 04:00 UTC with winds of 45 mph (72 km/h). Radar observations depicted a secondary center to the north that moved ashore near Altamira an hour later.[1] Once onshore, Dolly's circulation separated from all remaining convection and the storm degenerated into a remnant low later that day.[1][6] The system subsequently dissipated early on September 4.[1]

Preparations and impact

Tropical Storms Norbert (left) and Dolly (right) straddling both coasts of Mexico at 17:30 UTC on September 2

The remnants of Dolly brought widespread moisture to

southern Texas by September 5. Scattered thunderstorms developed across the region, with some producing damaging winds.[7] More than 2 in (51 mm) of rain fell in Brownsville, causing street flooding.[8] Dozens of Mexican fishing vessels sought refuge in the Port of Brownsville; however, two ran aground in the shipping channel and a third on South Padre Island. The United States Coast Guard attributed the mishaps to the sudden influx of ships.[9]

Southerly flow from Hurricane Norbert over the Pacific brought moisture from Dolly over the Southwestern United States, resulting in possible life-threatening flash flooding.[10]

Mexico

Coinciding with the first advisory on Tropical Depression Five late on September 1, the

Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning for areas between Tuxpan and La Pesca. This was soon expanded northward to include areas between La Pesca and Barra El Mezquital [es].[1] Public schools and the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas suspended classes on September 2 and 3 in Tamaulipas and Veracruz.[11][12] Officials opened 53 shelters for potential evacuees.[13] Pemex temporarily suspended operations of two oil production plants.[14]

Between September 1–4, Dolly brought widespread heavy rains to Mexico. Accumulations of 4 to 8 in (100 to 200 mm) were common across the states of

Veracruz City damaged ten homes and four cars.[18] One of these further threatened 40 homes in Infonavit Buena Vista within the city.[19] A rockslide occurred in the remote community of El Tecomate. Flooding in Guanajuato caused notable disruptions and some damage.[18] No observations of sustained tropical storm-force winds were received, though a gust of 48 mph (77 km/h) was observed in Barra del Tordo. Accordingly, wind damage was limited to Cabo Rojo. One death was indirectly attributed to Dolly.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k John L. Beven II (January 28, 2015). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Dolly (PDF). National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Richard J. Pasch (September 1, 2014). Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 1. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  3. ^ Daniel P. Brown (September 1, 2014). Tropical Depression Five Discussion Number 2. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  4. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (September 2, 2014). Tropical Storm Dolly Discussion Number 3. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  5. ^ Richard J. Pasch (September 2, 2014). Tropical Storm Dolly Discussion Number 5. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  6. ^ Richard J. Pasch (September 3, 2014). Remnants of Dolly Discussion Number 8. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  7. ^ National Weather Service Office in Austin/San Antonio, Texas (2014). Texas Event Report: Thunderstorm Wind. National Climatic Data Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  8. ^ Matt McGovern (September 4, 2014). "Dolly causes flooding in Brownsville". Brownsville, Texas: KGNS. Archived from the original on June 2, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  9. ^ Ty Johnson (September 3, 2014). "Vessels run aground, take refuge from Dolly". The Monitor. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  10. ^ Michael J. Brennan (September 6, 2014). Hurricane Norbert Discussion Number 19. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  11. ^ a b Pearl Reséndez (September 4, 2014). "Remanentes de 'Dolly' obligan a familias a usar refugios en Tamaulipas" (in Spanish). Ciudad Victoria, Mexico: El Financiero. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  12. ^ "La tormenta tropical 'Dolly' golpea la costa mexicana del Atlántico y deja fuertes lluvias en varios estados". Europa Press (in Spanish). Antena3. September 3, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  13. ^ Perla Reséndez (September 3, 2014). "Listos albergues en Tamaulipas por 'Dolly'" (in Spanish). Ciudad Victoria, Mexico: El Financiero. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  14. ^ Verónica Calderón (September 3, 2014). "La tormenta tropical Dolly se debilita tras tocar tierra en México". El País (in Spanish). El País Internacional. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  15. ^ "Estiman en 7 mdp daños en El Mante por "Dolly"" (in Spanish). El Mante, Mexico: Milenio. September 12, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  16. ^ "La tormenta Dolly deja daños por 290.5 millones, según dato oficial" (in Spanish). 20 minutos. September 25, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  17. ^ Mariela Trinidad (September 3, 2014). "Provoca 'Dolly' daños leves en Tampico" (in Spanish). El Norte. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  18. ^ a b "Daños por Tormenta Tropical Dolly y Huracán Norbert" (PDF). ERNtérate (in Spanish). September 10, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 2, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  19. ^ "Deja 'Dolly' daños en Veracruz" (in Spanish). Veracruz, Mexico: Tabasco Hoy. September 2, 2014. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 2, 2015.

External links