Tropical Storm Carlotta (2018)

Tropical Storm Carlotta
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Tropical Storm Carlotta on June 16
Formed June 14, 2018
Dissipated June 19, 2018
Highest winds 1-minute sustained: 65 mph (100 km/h)
Lowest pressure 997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg
Fatalities None
Damage Unknown
Areas affected Southwestern Mexico
Part of the 2018 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Carlotta was a strong tropical storm that produced torrential rainfall across southwestern Mexico. The third named storm of the 2018 Pacific hurricane season, Carlotta formed from a broad area of low pressure south of Mexico on June 14. The depression intensified into a tropical storm the next day and, defying forecasts of a quick landfall, remained offshore to attain a peak of 65 mph (100 km/h) on June 17. Land interaction caused Carlotta to steadily weaken over the next day, and it fell to tropical depression strength late that day before ultimately degenerating to a remnant low early on June 19.

Meteorological history

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

The first indications of tropical cyclone development came on June 12, when the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted their expectations for a broad area of low pressure to form south of Mexico a few days later.[1] Broad cyclonic flow became established almost immediately, but strong upper-level winds were expected to prevent development in the short term.[2] The disorganized disturbance began to show signs of organization early on June 13,[3] a process that ultimately led to the formation of a tropical depression by 21:00 UTC the next day.[4] Even after formation, the nascent cyclone remained disheveled in light of moderate wind shear; multiple low-level swirls rotated around a broader center and deep convection was confined to a broken band in the system's eastern semicircle.[5] Nonetheless, satellite-derived wind data indicated tropical storm-force winds late on June 15, and the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Carlotta at 18:00 UTC accordingly.[6]

Carlotta moved northeast early in its duration, steered by a large upper-level trough in the western Gulf of Mexico. Initial projections advertised little to no intensification before the small cyclone moved ashore the coastline of Mexico and dissipated.[7] Instead, Carlotta stalled just offshore and began to intensify as a cyclonically curved band wrapped into a small area of deep convection near the storm's center.[8] A narrow mid-level ridge to its north directed Carlotta west-northwest parallel to the coastline, while radar from Acapulco showed significant structural improvements late on June 16 as an inner core and eye developed.[9] At 00:40 UTC on June 17, the NHC issued an update increasing Carlotta's winds to 65 mph (100 km/h) and reducing its pressure to 997 mbar (hPa; 29.44 inHg); this signified its peak intensity.[10] Interaction between the system's eyewall and land prompted a swift weakening trend, and Carlotta fell to tropical depression intensity by 18:00 UTC on June 17.[11] Though it maintained a tight low-level circulation and intermittent bursts of convection through early the next day,[12] the storm ultimately became decoupled and disorganized, degenerating to a remnant low by 03:00 UTC on June 19.[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Eric S. Blake (June 12, 2018). "Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  2. ↑ Eric S. Blake (June 12, 2018). "Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  3. ↑ Eric S. Blake (June 13, 2018). "Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  4. ↑ Eric S. Blake (June 14, 2018). Tropical Depression Four-E Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  5. ↑ David A. Zelinsky (June 14, 2018). Tropical Depression Four-E Discussion Number 2 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  6. ↑ Eric S. Blake (June 15, 2018). Tropical Storm Carlotta Intermediate Advisory Number 4A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  7. ↑ Eric S. Blake (June 15, 2018). Tropical Storm Carlotta Discussion Number 5 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  8. ↑ Lixion A. Avila (June 16, 2018). Tropical Storm Carlotta Discussion Number 7 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  9. ↑ John P. Cangialosi (June 16, 2018). Tropical Storm Carlotta Discussion Number 10 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  10. ↑ John P. Cangialosi; Eric S. Blake (June 16, 2018). Tropical Storm Carlotta Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  11. ↑ Richard J. Pasch (June 17, 2018). Tropical Depression Carlotta Intermediate Advisory Number 12A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  12. ↑ Robbie J. Berg (June 18, 2018). Post-Tropical Cyclone Carlotta Discussion Number 15 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  13. ↑ Stacy R. Stewart (June 18, 2018). Post-Tropical Cyclone Carlotta Discussion Number 18 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.