Tropical Storm Norma (1970)
Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | August 31, 1970 |
Dissipated | September 5, 1970 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 60 mph (95 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 992 mbar (hPa); 29.29 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 23 indirect |
Damage | $1 million (1997 USD) |
Areas affected | Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Baja California |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the 1970 Pacific hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Norma was the fourteenth named tropical cyclone of the 1970 Pacific hurricane season. The storm formed off the coast of Mexico and intensified rapidly, peaking as a strong tropical storm on September 3, before starting a weakening trend. It dissipated before making landfall on Baja California.
While the storm never made landfall, the remnants from the storm fueled the Labor Day Storm of 1970, causing
Meteorological history
A tropical disturbance was first noted in a
Shortly after the 992 mbar report, however, Norma began to weaken. The same recon that reported the 60 mph (100 km/h) and 992 mbar reading reported back with a mere 40 mph (60 km/h) some time after. Despite the sudden drop in winds, the minimum pressure remained around 994 mbar. The weakening became obvious on satellite presentation, which showed cool inflow and a sheet of
Impact
While Norma did not make
Baja California
For an 800 mi (1,300 km) stretch of the coat, 12 ft (3.7 m) waves were measured. Winds of 60 mph (97 km/h) were recorded at Bahia Tortugas, a village on Punta Eugenia.[3]
Arizona
The rainfall in Arizona produced deadly
Utah
While the storm was causing floods in Arizona, the lower cities of Utah were also experiencing heavy rainfall. The most noteworthy rainfall total was recorded in Bug Creek, which experienced an estimated 6 inches (150 mm) of rain in a 24-hour period.[8][9] No deaths or damage was reported in connection to the storm.
Records
When 11.40 inches (290 mm) of rain fell at Workman's Creek in a 24-hour period, it became the highest amount of rain to fall in Arizona in a 24-hour period.[1] The record stood until 1997, when the remnants of Hurricane Nora produced 11.97 inches (304 mm) of rain on the top of Harquahala Mountain.[1]
A similar record was recorded in Utah when 6 inches (150 mm) of rain fell in Bug Creek in a 24-hour period.[9] Unlike the Arizona rainfall record, this record still stands today.[9]
When the rains of Norma caused the
With 23 associated deaths in Arizona, Norma was the deadliest storm in the state's history.[1]
See also
- List of wettest tropical cyclones in Arizona
- Hurricane Nora (1997) - 1997 hurricane in the East Pacific that produced gale-force winds and heavy rainfall in the Southwestern United States.
- Other storms with the same name
References
- ^ a b c d e f "…Top Arizona Hurricane/Tropical Storm Events…". United States National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Phoenix, Arizona. Archived from the original on September 29, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ .
- ^ "Nora to bring out the umbrellas in southern Utah". Deseret News. September 27, 1997.
- ^ "Summary of Historical Hazards Impacting Pinal County Communities" (PDF). ci.show-low.az.us. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-29.
- ^ "The Great Labor Day Storm of 1970".
- ^ Arizona Floods September 5 and 6, 1970 (PDF) (Report). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July 1971. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 16, 2022.
- ^ "Summary of Historical Hazard Events Impacting Coconino County Communities". Archived from the original on 2006-09-24. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
- ^ "Weekly Ocean News". Archived from the original on 2005-12-19. Retrieved 2006-08-17.
- ^ a b c "CLIMATOLOGICAL EXTREMES FOR CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES".
- ^ Changes in Riparian Vegetation in the Southwestern United States: Floods and Riparian Vegetation on the San Juan River, Southeastern Utah