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Hurricane Calvin (1993)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Calvin was a deadly tropical cyclone
that made an unusual July landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico
. The fourth tropical cyclone, third named storm, and second hurricane of the 1993 Pacific hurricane season
, Calvin developed from an area of convection to the south of Mexico on July 4. On the following day, the system intensified into a tropical storm, which was named Calvin. Continued strengthening occurred as Calvin turned northward, after originally heading westward. As Calvin was turning northward, it was upgraded to a hurricane on July 6. Calvin eventually turned northwest, and became a Category 2 hurricane. By July 7, Calvin made landfall near Manzanillo, Colima
, Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane. Calvin rapidly weakened after landfall, and was a tropical storm when it re-emerged into the Pacific Ocean on early on July 8. Despite this, Calvin did not re-intensify, and instead weakened as it headed rapidly northwestward. As Calvin made a second Mexican landfall near the southern tip of Baja California Peninsula
on July 8, it weakened to a tropical depression. Early on July 9, Calvin dissipated shortly after again re-emerging into the Pacific Ocean.
Calvin was only the third July hurricane on record to make landfall
on the west coast of Mexico. Throughout the nation of Mexico, Calvin dropped heavy rainfall, especially in the southwestern regions. Heavy rainfall produced flooding, which, in turn, caused mudslides. In the wake of Calvin, 34 fatalities were reported, a majority of which, were as a result of the flooding and mudslides. In addition, during the flooding caused by Calvin, 700 houses were destroyed in the state of Michoacán
. Overall, Calvin caused (1993 USD
; $ USD) in damage.
, although the disturbance was not yet classified by the National Hurricane Center
due to an absence of concentrated convection. However, during the morning hours of July 14, banding features became visible, notably on the southern semicircle of the disturbance, and is estimated that the system attained tropical depression status at 1200 UTC, while centered approximately 275 mi (442.6 km) southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Intensifying within a favorable atmospheric environment, the depression attained tropical storm status at 00 UTC July 5, receiving the name Calvin. A period of rapid intensification
ensued shortly thereafter, and banding-type eye
formed in associated with Calvin later that day. Thus, the system was upgraded to a hurricane at 00 UTC July 6, the second hurricane of the season. Embedded within the northeastern portion of a large, monsoon-like deep-layer-mean cyclonic circulation that stretched from the ITCZ
to the southwest Mexican coastline, Calvin's size significantly increased. Subsequently, 35 mph (56.3 km/h) surface winds were reported nearly 200 mi (321.9 km) from the storm's center.
Later on June 6, Calvin's outflow stretched over Central America
, southern Mexico, and the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Additionally, although the hurricane's center was centered well offshore, widespread heavy rainfall began to fall in southern Mexico. A change in the storm's movement occurred shortly thereafter, when Calvin briefly slowed down before quickly accelerating to the northwest, bringing Calvin's center of circulation 90 mi (144.8 km) south-southwest of Acapulco. At 1200 UTC July 7, Calvin reached its peak intensity of 95 mph (152.9 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 966 mbar (28.5 inHg). Shortly thereafter, Calvin made landfall, approximately 40 mi (64.4 km) west-northwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. At 00 UTC July 8, Calvin re-entered the Pacific, but as a weakening tropical storm as a result of land interaction with the mountainous terrain of Mexico. Despite Calvin's drastic weakening, seas in excess of 12 ft (3.7 m) were generated as far as 300 mi (482.8 km) to the south of the system's center. Calvin weakened to a tropical depression late on July 8 as it made a second, and final, landfall on the Baja California Peninsula, and dissipated roughly twelve hours later, above cold sea surface temperatures. When Calvin made landfall on the western coast of Mexico, it became only the second hurricane to do so in July, along with Hurricane Eugene
in the 1987 season
.
in 1987 and a storm in 1954.
Before hitting Mexico, Calvin's large wind field brought heavy flooding, and after passing as a hurricane, locations reported as high as 18 inches (457.2 mm) of rain. The flooding led to mudslides, killing 30 direct or indirect deaths on land, with 30,000 people displaced. Most of the casualties were due to flooding or car accidents on wet roads. In the state of Michoacán
, 700 homes were destroyed, as well as a bridge, highways, and water systems. In addition, heavy waves from the center led to a 15 feet (4.6 m) storm surge.
Two fatalities occurred offshore when a trimaran
capsized. At least 1600 people were left homeless. Damage occurred to boats and shoreline structures from Acapulco
to Manzanillo
. Heavy seas near Lázaro Cárdenas
in western Mexico caused the Norwegian frigher Betula to beach, forcing the nearby port to close. The ship, which contained 4,000 tons of sulfuric acid
, leaked its entire cargo on the coastline and into the sea. The cleanup effort took one month to complete.
In all, the total level of damage amounted to over 100 million new pesos
, or $32 million (1993 USD, $42 million 2005 USD). Despite its effects, the name Calvin was not retired, and was re-used in 1999
, 2005
, and 2011
.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
that made an unusual July landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The fourth tropical cyclone, third named storm, and second hurricane of the 1993 Pacific hurricane season
1993 Pacific hurricane season
The 1993 Pacific hurricane season was a very active season that officially started May 15, 1993 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1993 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1993...
, Calvin developed from an area of convection to the south of Mexico on July 4. On the following day, the system intensified into a tropical storm, which was named Calvin. Continued strengthening occurred as Calvin turned northward, after originally heading westward. As Calvin was turning northward, it was upgraded to a hurricane on July 6. Calvin eventually turned northwest, and became a Category 2 hurricane. By July 7, Calvin made landfall near Manzanillo, Colima
Manzanillo, Colima
The name Manzanillo refers to the city as well as its surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Colima. The city, located on the Pacific Ocean, contains Mexico's busiest port. Manzanillo was the third port created by the Spanish in the Pacific during the New Spain period...
, Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane. Calvin rapidly weakened after landfall, and was a tropical storm when it re-emerged into the Pacific Ocean on early on July 8. Despite this, Calvin did not re-intensify, and instead weakened as it headed rapidly northwestward. As Calvin made a second Mexican landfall near the southern tip of Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
on July 8, it weakened to a tropical depression. Early on July 9, Calvin dissipated shortly after again re-emerging into the Pacific Ocean.
Calvin was only the third July hurricane on record to make landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
on the west coast of Mexico. Throughout the nation of Mexico, Calvin dropped heavy rainfall, especially in the southwestern regions. Heavy rainfall produced flooding, which, in turn, caused mudslides. In the wake of Calvin, 34 fatalities were reported, a majority of which, were as a result of the flooding and mudslides. In addition, during the flooding caused by Calvin, 700 houses were destroyed in the state of Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
. Overall, Calvin caused (1993 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
; $ USD) in damage.
Meteorological history
Satellite imagery on July 2 revealed that an area of disturbed weather, characterized with scattered deep convection, developed south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. That same day, the system was "classified" using the Dvorak TechniqueDvorak technique
The Dvorak technique is a widely used system to subjectively estimate tropical cyclone intensity based solely on visible and infrared satellite images. Several agencies issue Dvorak intensity numbers for cyclones of sufficient intensity...
, although the disturbance was not yet classified by the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
due to an absence of concentrated convection. However, during the morning hours of July 14, banding features became visible, notably on the southern semicircle of the disturbance, and is estimated that the system attained tropical depression status at 1200 UTC, while centered approximately 275 mi (442.6 km) southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. Intensifying within a favorable atmospheric environment, the depression attained tropical storm status at 00 UTC July 5, receiving the name Calvin. A period of rapid intensification
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
ensued shortly thereafter, and banding-type eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
formed in associated with Calvin later that day. Thus, the system was upgraded to a hurricane at 00 UTC July 6, the second hurricane of the season. Embedded within the northeastern portion of a large, monsoon-like deep-layer-mean cyclonic circulation that stretched from the ITCZ
Intertropical Convergence Zone
The Intertropical Convergence Zone , known by sailors as The Doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together....
to the southwest Mexican coastline, Calvin's size significantly increased. Subsequently, 35 mph (56.3 km/h) surface winds were reported nearly 200 mi (321.9 km) from the storm's center.
Later on June 6, Calvin's outflow stretched over Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
, southern Mexico, and the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Additionally, although the hurricane's center was centered well offshore, widespread heavy rainfall began to fall in southern Mexico. A change in the storm's movement occurred shortly thereafter, when Calvin briefly slowed down before quickly accelerating to the northwest, bringing Calvin's center of circulation 90 mi (144.8 km) south-southwest of Acapulco. At 1200 UTC July 7, Calvin reached its peak intensity of 95 mph (152.9 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 966 mbar (28.5 inHg). Shortly thereafter, Calvin made landfall, approximately 40 mi (64.4 km) west-northwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. At 00 UTC July 8, Calvin re-entered the Pacific, but as a weakening tropical storm as a result of land interaction with the mountainous terrain of Mexico. Despite Calvin's drastic weakening, seas in excess of 12 ft (3.7 m) were generated as far as 300 mi (482.8 km) to the south of the system's center. Calvin weakened to a tropical depression late on July 8 as it made a second, and final, landfall on the Baja California Peninsula, and dissipated roughly twelve hours later, above cold sea surface temperatures. When Calvin made landfall on the western coast of Mexico, it became only the second hurricane to do so in July, along with Hurricane Eugene
Hurricane Eugene (1987)
Hurricane Eugene was the only tropical cyclone to make landfall in Mexico during the busy 1987 Pacific hurricane season. The eight tropical cyclone, fifth named storm, and first hurricane of the season, Eugene developed on July 22 from a tropical disturbance centered well offshore of Mexico. Later...
in the 1987 season
1987 Pacific hurricane season
The 1987 Pacific hurricane season was the last year in which the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was the primary warning center for tropical cyclones in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The season officially started May 15, 1987 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1987 in the central Pacific, and lasted...
.
Impact
In an average July, a high pressure system is located over Texas, preventing landfall in Mexico. However, a trough brought Calvin northward to hit Mexico as a hurricane in the month of July; one of only three tropical cyclones in history to do so. The other ones were Hurricane EugeneHurricane Eugene (1987)
Hurricane Eugene was the only tropical cyclone to make landfall in Mexico during the busy 1987 Pacific hurricane season. The eight tropical cyclone, fifth named storm, and first hurricane of the season, Eugene developed on July 22 from a tropical disturbance centered well offshore of Mexico. Later...
in 1987 and a storm in 1954.
Before hitting Mexico, Calvin's large wind field brought heavy flooding, and after passing as a hurricane, locations reported as high as 18 inches (457.2 mm) of rain. The flooding led to mudslides, killing 30 direct or indirect deaths on land, with 30,000 people displaced. Most of the casualties were due to flooding or car accidents on wet roads. In the state of Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
, 700 homes were destroyed, as well as a bridge, highways, and water systems. In addition, heavy waves from the center led to a 15 feet (4.6 m) storm surge.
Two fatalities occurred offshore when a trimaran
Trimaran
A trimaran is a multihulled boat consisting of a main hull and two smaller outrigger hulls , attached to the main hull with lateral struts...
capsized. At least 1600 people were left homeless. Damage occurred to boats and shoreline structures from Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
to Manzanillo
Manzanillo, Colima
The name Manzanillo refers to the city as well as its surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Colima. The city, located on the Pacific Ocean, contains Mexico's busiest port. Manzanillo was the third port created by the Spanish in the Pacific during the New Spain period...
. Heavy seas near Lázaro Cárdenas
Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán
Lázaro Cárdenas is a port city that with its surrounding municipality is located in the southern part of the Mexican state of Michoacán. It was formerly known as Los Llanitos, but changed its name as a tribute to Lázaro Cárdenas del Río, a Michoacán-born politician who was president of Mexico from...
in western Mexico caused the Norwegian frigher Betula to beach, forcing the nearby port to close. The ship, which contained 4,000 tons of sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid
Sulfuric acid is a strong mineral acid with the molecular formula . Its historical name is oil of vitriol. Pure sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive, colorless, viscous liquid. The salts of sulfuric acid are called sulfates...
, leaked its entire cargo on the coastline and into the sea. The cleanup effort took one month to complete.
In all, the total level of damage amounted to over 100 million new pesos
Mexican peso
The peso is the currency of Mexico. Modern peso and dollar currencies have a common origin in the 15th–19th century Spanish dollar, most continuing to use its sign, "$". The Mexican peso is the 12th most traded currency in the world, the third most traded in the Americas, and by far the most...
, or $32 million (1993 USD, $42 million 2005 USD). Despite its effects, the name Calvin was not retired, and was re-used in 1999
1999 Pacific hurricane season
The 1999 Pacific hurricane season officially started on May 15, 1999 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1999 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1999. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific...
, 2005
2005 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in recorded history, repeatedly shattering numerous records. The impact of the season was widespread and ruinous with an estimated 3,913 deaths and record damage of about $159.2 billion...
, and 2011
2011 Pacific hurricane season
The 2011 Pacific hurricane season is an ongoing, annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. The season officially started on May 15, 2011, for the eastern Pacific, and started on June 1, 2011, for the central Pacific, both of which ended on November 30, 2011. These dates conventionally...
.
See also
- List of tropical cyclones
- Other storms with the same nameHurricane CalvinThe name Calvin has been used for six tropical cyclones in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.* 1981's Tropical Storm Calvin - Briefly threatened Baja California Sur* 1987's Tropical Storm Calvin* 1993's Hurricane Calvin - killed 30 in Mexico...
External links
- [ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/pub/storm_archives/pacific/prelimep/ep1993/calvin/ NHC Calvin Report]
- [ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/pub/storm_archives/pacific/ep1993/calvin/tropdisc/ NHC Calvin Discussions]
- Calvin Best Track
- Impact
- Betula information