Tropical Storm Emilia (2006)
Baja California Peninsula, Southwestern United States | |
IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2006 Pacific hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Emilia was a rare
The storm brought tropical storm force winds and precipitation to the southwestern Mexican coastline. Later, Emilia produced similar conditions in the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula, where its passage caused minor damage and flooding. Moisture from Emilia reached the southwestern United States, producing thunderstorms and flash flooding in Arizona, as well as beneficial
Meteorological history
The origins of Emilia can be traced to a tropical wave that crossed northern Central America into the eastern Pacific Ocean on July 16. The system moved westward,[1] developing a well-defined low-pressure area about 525 miles (845 km) southwest of Acapulco by July 19.[2] The next day, its forward motion had shifted to a slow north-northwest track, and with its convection continuing to organize around the low, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) remarked on the potential for tropical cyclogenesis.[3] Early on July 21, its thunderstorm activity organized enough for the NHC to classify it as Tropical Depression Six-E, located to the southwest of Acapulco.[1]
Upon becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression existed in an area of weak
Early on July 23, the storm briefly became disorganized, with the low-level circulation becoming ill-defined.[7] Around the same time, Emilia passed about 175 mi (282 km) southwest of Manzanillo, which was its closest approach to southwestern Mexico; it is believed to have caused tropical storm force wind gusts along the coastline.[1] Later that day, after turning west-northwestward, the convection increased markedly as an eyewall began to form.[8] Operationally, it was estimated to have reached winds of 70 mph (110 km/h), and it was forecast to continue strengthening to attain Category 2 status on the Saffir–Simpson scale.[9] However, the NHC later re-assessed Emilia as reaching peak winds of 65 mph (105 km/h), since the eye feature was temporary and not well-defined.[1]
Shortly after reaching peak intensity, a sharp increase in wind shear caused Emilia to weaken quickly to winds of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Emilia maintained peak winds for about 18 hours, during which it passed about 60 mi (97 km) southwest of
Preparations and impact
As Emilia first approached the southwest coast of Mexico, officials issued a tropical storm watch from Manzanillo to Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco; the watch was discontinued 30 hours after it was issued. The storm passed the region on July 22, and is believed to have produced tropical storm force wind gusts along the coastline. A ship recorded 40 mph (64 km/h) winds while Emilia was just off the coast.[1] Further up the coast, in Mazatlán, strong waves from the storm caused beaches to close, while the outer fringes of the storm dropped 4.68 inches (119 mm) of precipitation.[13] Inland, the interaction between Emilia and a tropical wave brought increased moisture and precipitation to southeastern and central Mexico.[14]
When Emilia began turning toward the
Across the southern portion of the Baja California peninsula, the storm dropped moderate rainfall, with a total of about 5 inches (130 mm) reported in Cabo San Lucas; the NHC remarked that higher amounts likely occurred in higher elevations. The rainfall caused minor flooding in and around Cabo San Lucas. Along the southern coast of the peninsula, Emilia produced tropical storm force winds; two stations reported sustained winds of 43 mph (69 km/h), with one of those reporting wind gusts to 55 mph (89 km/h). The storm caused minor damage to buildings and utility lines. Waves from the storm left minor damage at several marinas in the region, with several being closed for two days.[1]
The effects of Emilia reached the southwestern United States. In southern Arizona, a surge of moisture from the storm produced scattered thunderstorms, including one severe thunderstorm in Santa Cruz County. The cell dropped heavy rainfall and large hailstones in a short amount of time; one location reported hail of 1.75 inches (44 mm) in diameter. The rainfall, which totaled several inches in some areas, caused flash flooding, with 8 inches (200 mm) of floodwater reported at one location along Interstate 19. Thunderstorms in Graham County produced a wind gust of 64 mph (103 km/h) at the airport in Safford. Unsettled conditions persisted across Arizona for about a week.[17] In southern California, the storm dropped light rainfall, which assisted firefighters in containing a wildfire.[18]
See also
- List of Baja California Peninsula hurricanes
- Other tropical cyclones named Emilia
- Timeline of the 2006 Pacific hurricane season
- List of storms in the 2006 Pacific hurricane season
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Stacy R. Stewart (2006-12-11). "Tropical Storm Emilia Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
- ^ Brown/Stewart (2006-07-19). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-13.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Mainelli/Beven (2006-07-20). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-13.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Avila (2006-07-21). "Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ Avila (2006-07-22). "Tropical Storm Emilia Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ Stewart (2006-07-22). "Tropical Storm Emilia Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ Pasch (2006-07-22). "Tropical Storm Emilia Discussion Eight". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ Stewart (2006-07-22). "Tropical Storm Emilia Discussion Nine". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ Stewart (2006-07-22). "Tropical Storm Emilia Discussion Ten". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ Rhome/Pasch (2006-07-24). "Tropical Storm Emilia Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ a b Rhome/Pasch (2006-07-24). "Tropical Storm Emilia Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ Blake/Franklin (2006-07-21). "Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ EFE (2006-07-27). "'Emilia' se convierte en depresión tropical alejada costas México" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2008-09-19.
- ^ El Universal (2006-07-23). "Provocará la tormenta tropical Emilia más lluvias en el país" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2008-09-19.
- ^ a b "Tormenta tropical Emilia causa lluvia al norte de México" (in Spanish). Associated Press. 2006-07-26. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
- ^ "Tropical Storm Emilia dumps rain on southern Baja California peninsula". Associated Press. 2006-07-25.
- ^ Tucson, Arizona National Weather Service (2006). "Review of July 25, 2006 Severe thunderstorm and Flash flood event". Archived from the original on March 6, 2012. Retrieved 2008-09-19.
- ^ San Diego Union Tribune (2006-07-30). "Horse fire declared fully contained". Retrieved 2008-09-19.
External links
- The NHC's advisory archive for Tropical Storm Emilia