| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
.JPG) Hurricane Flossie off the cost of Mexico | |
| Formed | August 7 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | August 14 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 978 mbar (hPa); 28.88 inHg |
| Fatalities | 8 direct |
| Damage | $5 million (1995 USD) |
| Areas affected | Mexico, Arizona |
| Part of the 1995 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Flossie was a Category 1 hurricane that caused damage to Arizona and Mexico. The seventh tropical cyclone and sixth named storm of the inactive [[1995 Pacific hurricane season, Flossie developed from a large circulation with an area of low pressure persisted in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean in early August. The National Hurricane Center designated the system Tropical Depression Seven-E on August 7. The depression gradually intensified, and became Tropical Storm Flossie on the following day. The storm paralleled the coast of Mexico as it moved to the northwest at around 8 mph (13 km/h). After a decrease in wind shear, Flossie intensified into a hurricane on August 10, and shortly thereafter it reached its peak intensity of 80 mph (130 km/h) as an embedded warm spot appeared in the center of the storm. After maintaining its peak intensity for 18 hours and passing within 75 miles (121 km) of Baja California, Flossie weakened over cooler waters and degenerated to a tropical storm on August 12. The storm continued to weaken, and early on August 14 Flossie dissipated.
In Mexico, Flossie produced gusty winds and heavy rains, which lead to five fatalities in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Sinaloa. Two people drowned because of high waters in Cabo San Lucas and Baja California Sur. In the United States, heavy rainfall was reported in Arizona and one fatality occurred. Damage in Arizona totaled to $5 million (1995 USD; $10 million 2024 USD).
Meteorological History
edit
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
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionA large circulation with an area of low pressure persisted in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean in early August. The large circulation was well-developed by August 7 and become to move slowly southwest of Acapulco when interacted with a tropical wave in the vicinity. A ship reported a low pressure of 1004 mbar near Acapulco. Based on this, the National Hurricane Center upgraded the low to a tropical depression on August 7. Observations from ships recorded that winds were at tropical storm force, and thus the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Flossie the next day.[1]
Upon being named, Flossie moved towards the northwest at a slow speed for most of the storms existence, because of a deep-layer anticyclone. On this path, the storm remained offshore but the southwestern coast of Mexico. However, Southern Baja California were buffeted by gusty winds and heavy rain. Vertical shear began to weaken and deep convection formed near the circulation. Flossie reached hurricane strength on the August 10 and its peak intensity of 80 mph. Flossie maintained this intensity for 24 hours . The center of the storm passed just southwest of the peninsula. The hurricane started to weakened because of cooler waters. Flossie lost hurricane intensity on the August 12 and turned westward. The former-hurricane remained on the 13th and dissipated on the 14th.[1]
Prepations and Impact
editMeixco
editThe government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Punta Tejupan to Cabo Corrientes early in its life, though it was discontinued shortly thereafter. Officials issued a tropical storm watch and later a tropical storm warning for Baja California Sur south of La Paz, which was later extended from Loreto on the east coast to San Juanico on the west coast.
The large circulation of Hurricane Flossie produced gusty winds and heavy rainfall along the west coast of Mexico and southern Baja California. Cabo San Lucas reported sustained tropical storm force winds with a gust to 55 mph (90 km/h), while amateur radio reports in San Jose del Cabo recorded a gust of 65 mph (105 km/h). Seven people died in Mexico from the storm, including two that drowned in Cabo San Lucas.[1] Of the rainfall directly associated with Flossie, storm totals peaked at 9.72 inches (247 mm) at San Felipe/Los Cabos.[2]
United States
editFlossie caused a monsoon surge moving around its eastern periphery arrived in the American Southwest, dropping more than 3 inches (75 mm) of rain in Tucson, Arizona, resulting in flash flooding at rush hour. A woman drove through a flooded roadway, and died after being swept into a small canyon. Eleven other motorists were stranded from the flooding. The storm produced a hail storm and a peak wind gust of 76 mph (122 km/h). Large portions of Tucson were left without power, while the strong winds resulted in shingle damage.[3] Downed power lines and winds tore the roofs off of a few buildings. Damage from the storm in Arizona totaled to $5 million (1995 USD, $6.6 million 2006 USD), while damage in Mexico, if any, is unknown.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c Edward Rappaport (1995). "Hurricane Flossie Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2006-10-21.
- ^ David M. Roth (2009). "Hurricane Flossie (1995) Rainfall Graphic". Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
- ^ Associated Press (1995-08-13). "1 dead in storm flooding Tucson". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
- ^ National Climatic Data Center (1995). "Event Report for Arizona". Retrieved 2006-10-21.
See also
edit
Tropical cyclones of the 1995 Pacific hurricane season | ||
|---|---|---|
 | ||
