Tropical Storm Kiko (2007)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Tropical Storm Kiko
Tropical Storm Kiko at peak strength
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 15, 2007
DissipatedOctober 23, 2007
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds70 mph (110 km/h)
Lowest pressure991 mbar (hPa); 29.26 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities15 direct
Missing9
DamageNone
Areas affectedWestern Mexico
IBTrACSEdit this at Wikidata

Part of the 2007 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Kiko was a strong

remnant low
-pressure area by October 24 and completely dissipated on October 27 without making landfall.

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

A

Colima, Mexico.[2]

The depression was embedded within a broad, low-level cyclone with weak steering currents that caused Fifteen-E to drift southward for the next 30 hours.

Category 1 hurricane as it turned away from Mexico and headed to sea.[7]

As the ridge pushed the storm away from the coast, weaker wind shear and warm sea-surface temperatures allowed Kiko to gradually intensify. The storm reached its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) 991 mbar (hPa; 29.28 inHg) late on October 20 while located around 175 mi (282 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. As it moved away from the coast, an eye began to form.[1][8] Shortly thereafter, shear increased and began to separate the low from the deep convection.[9] By the afternoon of October 21, the storm was poorly organized and the center was partially exposed. At this time, the weakening system had winds sustained at 50 mph (80 km/h).[10] Early on October 22, a brief burst in showers and thunderstorms allowed the storm to maintain its intensity.[11] That evening, Kiko was downgraded to a tropical depression as strong wind shear removed convection from the storm's center and exposed the low.[12] As the depression moved over a dryer and more hostile area, two inhibiting factors for development of tropical cyclones, it slowly weakened.[1] It lost almost all convection and degenerated to a remnant low-pressure area on October 23, and the National Hurricane Center issued its final advisory that night.[13] The remnant low moved west before dissipating on October 27 over open waters.[1]

Preparations and impact

Tropical Storm Kiko's projected path on October 18, showing the storm striking the Mexican coast

On October 18, a tropical storm warning was issued along the Mexican coastline from Zihuatanejo, Guerrero to Manzanillo, Colima, and a tropical storm watch extended northward to La Fortuna, Mexico, as Kiko was forecast to make landfall in that region on October 21. Above-normal tides and dangerous waves were expected along the coast.[14] Rainfall totals of 4 to 7 in (100 to 180 mm) were possible over southwestern Mexico with isolated totals reaching 10 in (250 mm). As a precaution, port captains shut down shipping and advised residents to avoid low-lying areas that might flood.[1][15] Civil Defense advised these residents to move to temporary shelters and tourists were told to stay indoors.[16] Emergency procedures were on standby in case conditions became more threatening.[17]

As the storm neared land, a ridge over Mexico prevented Kiko from coming ashore, resulting in far less damage than forecast.[1] As Kiko traveled parallel to the coast, heavy rain affected the region for two days.[18] In Kiko's rough seas off the coast of Mexico, a ship capsized with twenty-five passengers and crew.[19] Continued effects from Kiko hampered rescue efforts, forcing officials to call off the rescue attempt. Authorities searched the beaches of San Francisco Ixhuatán and San Francisco del Mar for any signs of the ship.[20] Only two people survived; fifteen bodies were recovered, and nine passengers were never found.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Michelle Mainelli (2007-11-18). "Tropical Storm Kiko Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  2. ^ Rhome (2007-10-14). "Tropical Depression 15-E Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  3. ^ Avila (2007-10-16). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 7". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  4. ^ Avila (2007-10-16). "Tropical Depression Kiko Discussion Number 8". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  5. ^ Pasch (2007-10-17). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 10". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  6. ^ Pasch (2007-10-18). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 14". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  7. ^ Blake/Avila (2007-10-18). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 17". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  8. ^ Beven (2007-10-20). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 24". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  9. ^ Rhome (2007-10-21). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 27". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  10. ^ Rhome (2007-10-21). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 28". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  11. ^ Franklin (2007-10-22). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 30". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-11-22.
  12. ^ Rhome (2007-10-22). "Tropical Depression Kiko Discussion Number 32". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  13. ^ Mainelli (2007-10-23). "Tropical Depression Kiko Discussion Number 36". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
  14. ^ Beven (2007-10-18). "Tropical Storm Kiko Public Advisory Number 15". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  15. ^ Lazaro Cardenas, Mich. (2007-10-21). "'Kiko' toma fuerza, podría convertirse en huracán" (in Spanish). Correo. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  16. ^ AGI (2007-10-19). "Alerta Segob sobre intensificación de tormenta tropical "Kiko"" (in Spanish). Reuters. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  17. ^ Agencies/Mexico City DF. (2007-10-22). "La tormenta tropical 'Kiko' pierde intensidad". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). Retrieved 2008-11-17.
  18. ^ Cárdenas, Lázaro. "'Kiko' toma fuerza, podría convertirse en huracán". Correo. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  19. ^ a b Staff Writer (2007-10-21). "Fifteen dead, 9 missing as boat sinks". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2008-07-27.[dead link]
  20. ^ "Tropical Storm Kiko strengthens in Pacific". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. 2007-10-21. Retrieved 2009-01-29.

External links