Hurricane Adrian (1999)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Adrian was a tropical cyclone
that caused widespread flash flooding while remaining offshore of Mexico
. The first named storm and first hurricane of the season, Adrian developed on June 18, 1999 from a large area of disturbed weather to the southwest of the Mexican coastline. Later that day, Adrian strengthened into a tropical storm. Gradual strengthening followed, as Adrian had intensified into a hurricane early on June 20. Further strengthening occurred, and Hurricane Adrian peaked as a 100 mph (155 km/h) category 2 hurricane, later that same day. Maintaining this intensity for approximately 12 hours, Adrian rapidly weakened thereafter on June 21 while simultaneously slowing in forward movement. Strong wind shear and cooling water temperatures caused Adrian to weaken to a tropical storm late on June 21. Weakening of Tropical Storm Adrian continued, and on June 22, it had been downgraded to a tropical depression. Later on that same day, the National Hurricane Center
declared that Tropical Depression Adrian had dissipated. Large waves and inland flash flooding from Hurricane Adrian resulted in six fatalities, with an unknown amount of damage.
for several days. Quickly showing signs of organization, a low-level circulation and banding features were visible on satellite imagery by June 16. Simultaneously, a tropical wave
emerged from Africa on June 5 and crossed the Atlantic; it later moving in the vicinity of the developing cyclone. The tropical wave had merged with the developing cyclone, which resulted in enhanced convection.
It is estimated that Tropical Depression One-E formed on June 18 while centered approximately 225 miles (362 km) southwest of Acapulco
, Guerrero
in Mexico. Heading mainly west-northwest for much of its duration, and would also parallel the coast of Mexico while a tropical depression between 175-225 mi (282-362 km) offshore. Its forward direction to the west-northwest was due to an influence by a deep-layered ridge of high pressure over Mexico. Later on June 18, Tropical Depression One-E began to accelerate while strengthening into Tropical Storm Adrian. Thereafter being upgraded to a tropical storm, Adrian was upgraded to a hurricane on June 20 while centered 420 mi (676 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California
. Further strengthening of Hurricane Adrian occurred that same day, and Adrian had become a category 2 hurricane. Simultaneously to becoming a category 2 hurricane, Hurricane Adrian attained its peak intensity with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 973 mbar (hPa; 28.73 inHg).
After reaching peak intensity on June 20 and maintaining this intensity for approximately twelve hours, Hurricane Adrian began a rapidly weakening trend while moving further from the Mexican coast. Rapid weakening had been attributed to cooling sea surface temperatures and higher wind shear. Passing only 40 mi (64 km) south of Isla Socorro, Adrian weakened to a category 1 hurricane. Later on June 21, Adrian had weakened further, and was downgraded to a tropical storm while decelerating. After several hours as a tropical storm, Adrian weakened to a tropical depression. Six hours after the downgrade to a tropical depression, Tropical Depression Adrian was declared to have dissipated while centered 300 mi (483 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
, and as far north as the Mexico/Texas
border. Across much of Mexico, rainfall amounts were at three in (76 mm) or less, although there were isolated areas with rainfall greater than seven in (178 mm). Rainfall in Mexico had peaked at 15.75 in (400 mm) in Coyutla
, Veracruz
. While formation on June 18, the cyclone produced winds at least at 35 mph (55 mm) throughout much of the day. Reuters had also reported large waves near the coastline of Mexico while Hurricane Adrian was passing offshore. Outside of Mexico the only other affect region was Socorro Island, with reported winds at 45 mph (72 km/h) during Adrian's closest approach.
Throughout its duration, Hurricane Adrian caused six fatalities, with four perishing from rough seas and two directly from the floods. In addition to the six fatalities, one person was also listed as missing in the flooding areas. There is no known damage amounts from the associated flashing flooding.
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 caused widespread flash flooding while remaining offshore 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 first named storm and first hurricane of the season, Adrian developed on June 18, 1999 from a large area of disturbed weather to the southwest of the Mexican coastline. Later that day, Adrian strengthened into a tropical storm. Gradual strengthening followed, as Adrian had intensified into a hurricane early on June 20. Further strengthening occurred, and Hurricane Adrian peaked as a 100 mph (155 km/h) category 2 hurricane, later that same day. Maintaining this intensity for approximately 12 hours, Adrian rapidly weakened thereafter on June 21 while simultaneously slowing in forward movement. Strong wind shear and cooling water temperatures caused Adrian to weaken to a tropical storm late on June 21. Weakening of Tropical Storm Adrian continued, and on June 22, it had been downgraded to a tropical depression. Later on that same day, 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...
declared that Tropical Depression Adrian had dissipated. Large waves and inland flash flooding from Hurricane Adrian resulted in six fatalities, with an unknown amount of damage.
Meteorological history
A large area of disturbed weather meandered to the south of the Gulf of TehuantepecGulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec is a large body of water on the Pacific coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, southeastern Mexico, at . Most of the hurricanes that form in the Eastern Pacific organize in or near this body of water...
for several days. Quickly showing signs of organization, a low-level circulation and banding features were visible on satellite imagery by June 16. Simultaneously, a tropical wave
Tropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
emerged from Africa on June 5 and crossed the Atlantic; it later moving in the vicinity of the developing cyclone. The tropical wave had merged with the developing cyclone, which resulted in enhanced convection.
It is estimated that Tropical Depression One-E formed on June 18 while centered approximately 225 miles (362 km) southwest of 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...
, Guerrero
Guerrero
Guerrero officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo....
in Mexico. Heading mainly west-northwest for much of its duration, and would also parallel the coast of Mexico while a tropical depression between 175-225 mi (282-362 km) offshore. Its forward direction to the west-northwest was due to an influence by a deep-layered ridge of high pressure over Mexico. Later on June 18, Tropical Depression One-E began to accelerate while strengthening into Tropical Storm Adrian. Thereafter being upgraded to a tropical storm, Adrian was upgraded to a hurricane on June 20 while centered 420 mi (676 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
. Further strengthening of Hurricane Adrian occurred that same day, and Adrian had become a category 2 hurricane. Simultaneously to becoming a category 2 hurricane, Hurricane Adrian attained its peak intensity with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 973 mbar (hPa; 28.73 inHg).
After reaching peak intensity on June 20 and maintaining this intensity for approximately twelve hours, Hurricane Adrian began a rapidly weakening trend while moving further from the Mexican coast. Rapid weakening had been attributed to cooling sea surface temperatures and higher wind shear. Passing only 40 mi (64 km) south of Isla Socorro, Adrian weakened to a category 1 hurricane. Later on June 21, Adrian had weakened further, and was downgraded to a tropical storm while decelerating. After several hours as a tropical storm, Adrian weakened to a tropical depression. Six hours after the downgrade to a tropical depression, Tropical Depression Adrian was declared to have dissipated while centered 300 mi (483 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
Impact
Hurricane Adrian dropped rain across most of Mexico, which resulted in flash flooding. The rainfall spread long distances, with associated rainfall stretching from Baja California to the Yucatan PeninsulaYucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
, and as far north as the Mexico/Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
border. Across much of Mexico, rainfall amounts were at three in (76 mm) or less, although there were isolated areas with rainfall greater than seven in (178 mm). Rainfall in Mexico had peaked at 15.75 in (400 mm) in Coyutla
Coyutla
Coyutla in Veracruz, Mexico. It is located in central zone of the State of Veracruz, about 110 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface of 312.56 km2...
, Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
. While formation on June 18, the cyclone produced winds at least at 35 mph (55 mm) throughout much of the day. Reuters had also reported large waves near the coastline of Mexico while Hurricane Adrian was passing offshore. Outside of Mexico the only other affect region was Socorro Island, with reported winds at 45 mph (72 km/h) during Adrian's closest approach.
Throughout its duration, Hurricane Adrian caused six fatalities, with four perishing from rough seas and two directly from the floods. In addition to the six fatalities, one person was also listed as missing in the flooding areas. There is no known damage amounts from the associated flashing flooding.