Hurricane Cosme (1989)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Cosme was the third tropical cyclone
and second hurricane of the 1989 Pacific hurricane season
. Forming on June 19 from a tropical wave
, the storm initially moved westward before being upgraded into Tropical Storm Cosme. It ultimately intensifying into a Category 1 hurricane. Cosme turned northward and made landfall near Acapulco
during the night of June 21. It rapidly weakened over land. The storm caused excessive rainfall on land, leading to deadly and destructive flooding. It is estimated that 30 people died in the hurricane.
emerged from the west coast of Africa and traversed the Atlantic Ocean, eventually crossing into the eastern North Pacific. Initially, several centers of circulation were associated with the system. Continuing organize, the storm is estimated to have attained tropical depression status at 0000 UTC on June 18. The depression was broad and lacked substantial thunderstorm activity. However, it did have respectable outflow
and banding. It moved towards the west and intensified into a tropical storm at 0000 UTC on October 20, 48 hours after being classified.
Upon being named, Cosme meandered and remained nearly stationary as it continued to intensify. It became a hurricane midday UTC on June 21; this upgrade was delayed in real time. At this time, the hurricane accelerated towards the north. As the cyclone approached the coast of Mexico, it reached maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 979 millibars.
During the night of June 21, Cosme made landfall
just east of Acapulco
. It moved inland and quickly deteriorated, weakening into a tropical storm shortly after coming ashore. It trekked northward through eastern Mexico and further diminished into a tropical depression before becoming indistinguishable south of Brownsville, Texas
on June 23. Tropical Storm Allison
's development in the Gulf of Mexico
was partially related to residual conditions from Cosme's remnants.
homes were destroyed, but the specific cost of damage is unknown. The highest rainfall recorded in relation to Cosme was 16.1 in (408.9 mm) in San Bartolo Yautepec
, Mexico. Many mountainous areas received rainfall in excess of 7 in (177.8 mm) and most other areas received 1 in (25.4 mm). High winds produced by the storm damaged numerous trees and power lines throughout the affected areas. Authorities in Acapulco
stated that there were no major damage or injuries from the storm, with only one hotel sustaining minor damage.
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...
and second hurricane of the 1989 Pacific hurricane season
1989 Pacific hurricane season
-Tropical Storm Adolph:The first storm of the season developed out of a weak area of low pressure situated about 570 mi south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Tracking towards the west, the circluation briefly dissipated on May 30, before redeveloping the following day into Tropical...
. Forming on June 19 from 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...
, the storm initially moved westward before being upgraded into Tropical Storm Cosme. It ultimately intensifying into a Category 1 hurricane. Cosme turned northward and made landfall near 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...
during the night of June 21. It rapidly weakened over land. The storm caused excessive rainfall on land, leading to deadly and destructive flooding. It is estimated that 30 people died in the hurricane.
Meteorological history
In early June 1989, a tropical waveTropical 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 the west coast of Africa and traversed the Atlantic Ocean, eventually crossing into the eastern North Pacific. Initially, several centers of circulation were associated with the system. Continuing organize, the storm is estimated to have attained tropical depression status at 0000 UTC on June 18. The depression was broad and lacked substantial thunderstorm activity. However, it did have respectable outflow
Outflow (meteorology)
Outflow, in meteorology, is air that flows outwards from a storm system. It is associated with ridging, or anticyclonic flow. In the low levels of the troposphere, outflow radiates from thunderstorms in the form of a wedge of rain-cooled air, which is visible as a thin rope-like cloud on weather...
and banding. It moved towards the west and intensified into a tropical storm at 0000 UTC on October 20, 48 hours after being classified.
Upon being named, Cosme meandered and remained nearly stationary as it continued to intensify. It became a hurricane midday UTC on June 21; this upgrade was delayed in real time. At this time, the hurricane accelerated towards the north. As the cyclone approached the coast of Mexico, it reached maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 979 millibars.
During the night of June 21, Cosme made 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...
just east 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...
. It moved inland and quickly deteriorated, weakening into a tropical storm shortly after coming ashore. It trekked northward through eastern Mexico and further diminished into a tropical depression before becoming indistinguishable south of Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
on June 23. Tropical Storm Allison
Tropical Storm Allison (1989)
Tropical Storm Allison was a tropical cyclone that produced severe flooding in the southern United States. The second tropical cyclone and the first named storm of the 1989 Atlantic hurricane season, Allison formed on June 24 in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Development of Allison was a result...
's development in the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
was partially related to residual conditions from Cosme's remnants.
Preparations and impact
Prior to the hurricane's landfall, Mexican officials evacuated nearly 260 people from low-lying areas near Acapulco. Ports in the region were also closed several days before the storm and remained closed for two days after as a precaution. In addition, flash flood watches and warnings were issued. Cosme brought heavy rains, which killed at least 30 people due to drowning. Many adobeAdobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
homes were destroyed, but the specific cost of damage is unknown. The highest rainfall recorded in relation to Cosme was 16.1 in (408.9 mm) in San Bartolo Yautepec
San Bartolo Yautepec
San Bartolo Yautepec is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico.It is part of the Yautepec District in the east of the Sierra Sur Region....
, Mexico. Many mountainous areas received rainfall in excess of 7 in (177.8 mm) and most other areas received 1 in (25.4 mm). High winds produced by the storm damaged numerous trees and power lines throughout the affected areas. Authorities in 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...
stated that there were no major damage or injuries from the storm, with only one hotel sustaining minor damage.
See also
- 1989 Atlantic hurricane season1989 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1989 Atlantic hurricane season was an active season that produced fifteen tropical cyclones, eleven named storms, seven hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. The season was officially designated from June 1, 1989, to November 30, 1989, dates which conventionally...
- List of Pacific hurricanes