Tropical Storm Georgette (2010)

Tropical Storm Georgette
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)

Tropical Storm Georgette before landfall in Baja California.
Formed September 20, 2010
Dissipated September 23, 2010
Highest winds 1-minute sustained: 40 mph (65 km/h)
Gusts: 50 mph (85 km/h)
Lowest pressure 999 mbar (hPa); 29.5 inHg
Fatalities 1 indirect
Areas affected Baja California Sur, Sinaloa and Sonora
Part of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Georgette was a short-lived tropical storm that struck the Baja California Sur in September 2010. Georgette originated from an area of disturbed weather over the eastern Pacific on September 20. The next day, the system was upgraded into a tropical storm a short distance south of Baja California Sur. As the storm moved over the peninsula, it weakened to a topical depression. It continued north and as such made landfall on mainland Mexico on September 22. Georgette dissipated early the next day while located inland over Sonora. Although officials noted the threat for heavy rainfall across northwest Mexico and Baja California, damage was minimal and no deaths were reported in the country. However, remnant moisture moved into New Mexico, producing flooding that killed one person.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale

The origins of Tropical Storm Georgette were from a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on September 1. Lacking organization, the wave was difficult to track as it moved across the Atlantic basin. Convection eventually increased on September 7, as the system approached the Lesser Antilles. On September 14, Hurricane Karl developed from the northern portion of the system over the western Caribbean Sea; however, the southern portion of the wave crossed northern Central America and entered the Pacific Ocean on September 17.[1] The area of disturbed weather was first mentioned on the National Hurricane Center (NHC) around that time, but signification development was initially not anticipated.[2] Wind shear was forecast to decrease slightly; however, and based on this the NHC gave the system a medium chance of undergoing tropical cyclogenesis during the next two days.[3]

Gradual development took place as convection consolidated around the center of circulation while located west of Sonora. During the afternoon of September 20, an area of low pressure developed within the system, prompting the NHC to classify it as a tropical depression. At this time, the depression was situated roughly 240 mi (390 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas. Situated along the western edge of a subtropical ridge, the system was steered towards the north-northwest throughout its existence.[1]

Within hours of becoming a depression on September 20, strong wind shear caused convection to diminish. However, data from an ASCAT scatterometer pass revealed that the system attained gale-force winds, resulting in the depression being upgraded to a tropical storm on 0000 UTC September 21.[1] Operationally, the first advisory on storm was not issued until 1200 UTC, where it was named Georgette. Meanwhile, thunderstorm activity increased near the center of the storm.[4] Little change took place throughout the day as the storm approached Baja California Sur. Around 1800 UTC, Georgette made landfall near San Jose del Cabo with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). Additionally, a barometric pressure of 999 mbar (hPa; 29.5 inHg) was measured. Shortly before entering the Gulf of California, Georgette weakened to a tropical depression. Maintaining winds of 35 mph (55 km/h), the storm later made a second landfall near San Carlos in Sonora. Shortly after moving inland, the low-level circulation dissipated over the mountains of western Mexico.[1]

Preparations and impact

Rainfall from Georgette in western Mexico

Prior to the arrival of Georgette, the Mexican government issued a tropical storm warning for extreme southern Baja California Sur.,[5] but was dropped when Georgette moved inland.[1] Officials warned rural areas in Baja California Sur of heavy rain and high wind.[6] Forecasters at the NHC noted the potential for up to 10 in (25 mm) of rainfall, especially over the higher terrain. The forecasters also noted potential for deadly flooding and mudslides.[5] Officials evacuated over 1,000 families from floodplains and opened four shelters in Los Cabos.[7]

In Sonora, the state's civil protection committee placed the south portion of the state under an "orange" alert,[8] and a "red" alert soon after; the alert was lifted that same evening, after Georgette moved inland.[9] A total of 52 shelters were opened in the Cajeme municipality.[10] In Guaymas, 300 people from the city and surrounding areas were placed in shelters; 250 more people sought shelter from Georgette in Empalme.[11] Schools in Bahía Kino and coastal areas of the Hermosillo Municipality suspended classes as a precaution.[12] Classes resumed statewide on September 23.[13]

Georgette caused the heaviest rains on Baja California Sur in the last 15 years, leaving many people homeless.[14] Georgette also produced high waves. The tropical cyclone worsened Mexico's flooding problem which started when Hurricane Karl made landfall several days earlier.[15] A peak rainfall total of 5.9 in (150 mm) fell in Todos Santos.[16] Throughout Sonora, rainfall up to 4.7 in (120 mm) triggered flooding that damaged 220 homes.[17] Georgette caused 2.61 in (66 mm) of rainfall in Guaymas[9] Flooding was reported in several places (Empalme, Etchojoa, Navojoa, Guaymas, Los Mochis), causing 500,000 people to be evacuated.[1] Heavy runoff caused inflows of 18,000 cu ft/s (510 m3/s) into El Novillo Dam, forcing the Comisión Nacional del Agua, the local water authorities, to release water from the dam.[18]

Moisture from the system combined with an approaching trough to produce heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across New Mexico. A total of 6.42 in (163 mm) was reported in Gladstone.[19] The rains caused flooding that killed a person along the Rio Grande near Carnuel.[20]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Michael J. Brennan (November 4, 2010). "Tropical Storm Georgette Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  2. ↑ Todd Kimberlain (2010-09-18). "Tropical Weather Outllook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  3. ↑ John Cangialosi (2010-08-19). "Tropical Weather Outlook (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  4. ↑ Robbie Berg (September 21, 2010). "Tropical Storm Georgette Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  5. 1 2 John Brown (2010-09-21). "Tropical Storm Georgette Public Advisory 3". National Hurricane Center.
  6. ↑ "BCS Alert for Tropical Storm Georgette". Yucatan.com. 2010-09-21. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  7. ↑ "Tropical Depression Georgette impact the afternoon in La Paz".
  8. ↑ Reza, Francisco; Gerardo López (2010-09-22). "Amenaza "Georgette" con lluvias al Sur". El Imparcial (in Spanish) (Hermosillo). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  9. 1 2 Ojeda, Yesicka (2010-09-22). "Levantan alerta por "Georgette" en Guaymas y Empalme". El Imparcial (in Spanish) (Hermosillo). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  10. ↑ López, Eduardo (2010-09-22). "Hay calma en Cajeme por "Georgette"". El Imparcial (in Spanish) (Hermosillo). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  11. ↑ Reza, Francisco (2010-09-22). "Albergan refugios a decenas en Guaymas y Empalme". El Imparcial (in Spanish) (Hermosillo). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  12. ↑ Zepeda, Ana Isabel (2010-09-22). "Suspenden clases en Costa de Hermosillo". El Imparcial (in Spanish) (Hermosillo). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  13. ↑ Zepeda, Ana Isabel (2010-09-22). "Vuelven hoy a clases más de 612 mil alumnos". El Imparcial (in Spanish) (Hermosillo). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  14. ↑ "Mexico hit by Tropical Storm Georgette". Breaking Travel News. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
  15. ↑ "Tropical storm brings fresh flood misery to Mexico". BBC News. 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  16. ↑ David M. Roth (2010-10-21). "Tropical Storm Georgette". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2011-07-27.
  17. ↑ Ulises Gutiérrez, Javier Valdez, Sergio Ocampo, Julia Le Duc, David Carrizales, Agustín Galo, Octavio Vélez, René Alberto López, Luis A. Boffil y Notimex (September 23, 2010). "Graves daños en varias zonas de Sonora, tras intensas lluvias" (in Spanish). La Jordana. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  18. ↑ Ojeda, Yesika; Francisco Reza (2010-09-23). "Deja "Georgette" agua a Sonora". El Imparcial (in Spanish) (Hermosillo). Retrieved 2010-09-23.
  19. ↑ "A Recipe for Heavy Rain - September 22, 2010". Albuquerque, New Mexico National Weather Service. 2010-12-31. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  20. ↑ National Climatic Data Center (2010). "Event Report for Tropical Storm Georgette". Retrieved 2012-01-27.
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