Hurricane Winifred (1992)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Winifred was the last tropical cyclone
to make landfall
in the busy 1992 Pacific hurricane season
. Impacting western Mexico
, especially Colima
and Michoacán
, Hurricane Winifred brought heavy rain and destruction to the area. Rains flooded farms and roads, and caused more than $5 million (1992 USD, $ USD) in damage and a total of three people were killed.
The last major hurricane
of its season, Winifred existed in October of 1992. It formed southeast of Acapulco on October 6 as the twenty-fourth east Pacific tropical cyclone of its season, and recurved as it strengthened. It peaked as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It made landfall southeast of Manzanillo, Colima
and dissipated inland.
. It gradually headed west-northwestward, slowly organized, and developed deep and concentrated convection
. The disturbed area had become organized enough to be considered a tropical depression. Numbered Twenty-Four-E, the cyclone was located about 460 mi (740 km) south-southeast of Acapulco
. It moved towards the west-northwest at a speed of about 12 mph (19 km/h), and by the time it was located about 550 km (341.8 mi) south of Zihuatanejo
, it had intensified into Tropical Storm Winifred.
Winifred steadily became more organized, and late on October 7, the National Hurricane Center
(NHC) was anticipating Winifred to reach hurricane intensity within the next 36 hours. A large cyclone, Winifred continued to intensify. Its forward speed decreased as it started to turn to the northwest. By October 8, Winifred become a hurricane while located approximately 340 mi (547.2 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo. A small eye
became evident on satellite imagery
, and thus the winds increased to 85 mph (145 km/h).
Winifred then intensified into a moderate Category 2 hurricane on October 9. Although the eye briefly disappeared, slight intensification was anticipated. The hurricane was curved north by an upper-level trough
. Winifred peaked in intensity as a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale
). At this time, Winifred, had central pressure
of 960 mb and winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). This made Winifred the final hurricane– major or otherwise– of the 1992 Pacific hurricane season. However, it was operationally believed to have peaked as a Category 2 hurricane; the NHC did not issues and advisories with winds any higher than 110 mph (175 km/h).
Hurricane Winifred re-curved to the north-northeast, increased in forward speed, and slightly weakened as it approached land. On October 9, it made landfall about east-southeast of Manzanillo. At the time it was a weak Category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a central pressure of 975 mb. Hurricane Winifred quickly weakened after landfall, and weakened to a tropical storm less than three hours later, which was early on October 10. Later on October 10, Winifred weakened to a tropical depression, before dissipating over the mountains of central Mexico.
to emergency shelter
s as Winifred neared. With the approach of the hurricane, watches and warnings
were issued. On October 9 a tropical storm warning was issued from Zihuatanejo
to Cabo Corrientes. At the same time, a hurricane watch went into effect in the same area.
The watch was later replaced with a hurricane warning 12 hours later. On October 10, all watches and warnings were dropped.
Starting on October 8, Hurricane Winifred caused rainfall over an extensive area of Mexico. The highest point maximum reported was of 16.7 in (424.2 mm) at Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán
, a point to the right of its track. That rain caused flood
ing, which was blamed for three deaths.
Damage was heaviest in the states of Colima
and Michoacán
. In areas of the former, utilities
were knocked out. Waves flooded portions of Highway 200
between Zihuatenajo, Ixtapa
, and Lázaro Cárdenas. Other roads were also flooded. Waves 12 ft (3.7 m) forced the closure of Playa de Oro International Airport
and port facilities in Manzanillo. Throughout the affected area, trees were blown down on cars, roughly 1,500 houses were damaged, as were hotels and restaurants. About 84000 ha (207,568.3 acre) of farmland were damaged, especially those of plantain
s and corn
. Carlos de la Madrid Virgen, the Governor of Colima
, estimated that the total damage in his state was 16000 pesos (1992 MXP) or $5 million (1992 USD, $ USD). Elsewhere, Winifred forced a temporary closure of the port of Acapulco.
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...
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...
in the busy 1992 Pacific hurricane season
1992 Pacific hurricane season
The 1992 Pacific hurricane season was the most active Pacific hurricane season on record. The most notable storm was Hurricane Iniki, which caused billions of dollars of damage to the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricanes Lester, Virgil, Winifred, and Orlene also made landfall and killed several people, but...
. Impacting western 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...
, especially Colima
Colima
Colima is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It shares its name with its capital and main city, Colima....
and 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...
, Hurricane Winifred brought heavy rain and destruction to the area. Rains flooded farms and roads, and caused more than $5 million (1992 USD, $ USD) in damage and a total of three people were killed.
The last major hurricane
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
of its season, Winifred existed in October of 1992. It formed southeast of Acapulco on October 6 as the twenty-fourth east Pacific tropical cyclone of its season, and recurved as it strengthened. It peaked as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It made landfall southeast of 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...
and dissipated inland.
Meteorological history
On October 1, a disorganized area of thunderstorms existed south of PanamaPanama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
. It gradually headed west-northwestward, slowly organized, and developed deep and concentrated convection
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
. The disturbed area had become organized enough to be considered a tropical depression. Numbered Twenty-Four-E, the cyclone was located about 460 mi (740 km) south-southeast 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 towards the west-northwest at a speed of about 12 mph (19 km/h), and by the time it was located about 550 km (341.8 mi) south of Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, is the fourth-largest city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Politically the city belongs to the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta in the western part of Guerrero, but both are commonly referred to as Zihuatanejo...
, it had intensified into Tropical Storm Winifred.
Winifred steadily became more organized, and late on October 7, 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...
(NHC) was anticipating Winifred to reach hurricane intensity within the next 36 hours. A large cyclone, Winifred continued to intensify. Its forward speed decreased as it started to turn to the northwest. By October 8, Winifred become a hurricane while located approximately 340 mi (547.2 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo. A small 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...
became evident on satellite imagery
Satellite imagery
Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made by means of artificial satellites.- History :The first images from space were taken on sub-orbital flights. The U.S-launched V-2 flight on October 24, 1946 took one image every 1.5 seconds...
, and thus the winds increased to 85 mph (145 km/h).
Winifred then intensified into a moderate Category 2 hurricane on October 9. Although the eye briefly disappeared, slight intensification was anticipated. The hurricane was curved north by an upper-level trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
. Winifred peaked in intensity as a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
). At this time, Winifred, had central pressure
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the force per unit area exerted into a surface by the weight of air above that surface in the atmosphere of Earth . In most circumstances atmospheric pressure is closely approximated by the hydrostatic pressure caused by the weight of air above the measurement point...
of 960 mb and winds of 115 mph (185 km/h). This made Winifred the final hurricane– major or otherwise– of the 1992 Pacific hurricane season. However, it was operationally believed to have peaked as a Category 2 hurricane; the NHC did not issues and advisories with winds any higher than 110 mph (175 km/h).
Hurricane Winifred re-curved to the north-northeast, increased in forward speed, and slightly weakened as it approached land. On October 9, it made landfall about east-southeast of Manzanillo. At the time it was a weak Category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a central pressure of 975 mb. Hurricane Winifred quickly weakened after landfall, and weakened to a tropical storm less than three hours later, which was early on October 10. Later on October 10, Winifred weakened to a tropical depression, before dissipating over the mountains of central Mexico.
Preparations and impact
Five thousand people were evacuatedEmergency evacuation
Emergency evacuation is the immediate and rapid movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. Examples range from the small scale evacuation of a building due to a bomb threat or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood, bombardment or...
to emergency shelter
Emergency shelter
Emergency shelters are places for people to live temporarily when they can't live in their previous residence, similar to homeless shelters. The main difference is that an emergency shelter typically specializes in people fleeing a specific type of situation, such as natural or man-made disasters,...
s as Winifred neared. With the approach of the hurricane, watches and warnings
Tropical cyclone warnings and watches
Warnings and watches are two levels of alert issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone of tropical storm or hurricane intensity. They are notices to the local population and civil authorities to make appropriate...
were issued. On October 9 a tropical storm warning was issued from Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, is the fourth-largest city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Politically the city belongs to the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta in the western part of Guerrero, but both are commonly referred to as Zihuatanejo...
to Cabo Corrientes. At the same time, a hurricane watch went into effect in the same area.
The watch was later replaced with a hurricane warning 12 hours later. On October 10, all watches and warnings were dropped.
Starting on October 8, Hurricane Winifred caused rainfall over an extensive area of Mexico. The highest point maximum reported was of 16.7 in (424.2 mm) at Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán
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...
, a point to the right of its track. That rain caused flood
Flood
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land. The EU Floods directive defines a flood as a temporary covering by water of land not normally covered by water...
ing, which was blamed for three deaths.
Damage was heaviest in the states of Colima
Colima
Colima is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It shares its name with its capital and main city, Colima....
and 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...
. In areas of the former, utilities
Public utility
A public utility is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service . Public utilities are subject to forms of public control and regulation ranging from local community-based groups to state-wide government monopolies...
were knocked out. Waves flooded portions of Highway 200
Mexican Federal Highway 200
Mexican Federal Highway 200 is also known as Carretera Pacifico and is a Federal Highway of Mexico. Carretera Pacifico is the main leg of the Pacific Coastal Highway within Mexico and runs along the Pacific Coast from Mexican Federal Highway 15 in the north to the Guatemalan border in the south...
between Zihuatenajo, Ixtapa
Ixtapa
Ixtapa is a beach resort in the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta, in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It is located to the northwest of the municipal seat, Zihuatanejo, and some northwest of Acapulco....
, and Lázaro Cárdenas. Other roads were also flooded. Waves 12 ft (3.7 m) forced the closure of Playa de Oro International Airport
Playa de Oro International Airport
Playa de Oro International Airport is located in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. It is the most important international airport in Colima, and an important tourist airport.-Airlines and destinations:-External links:*...
and port facilities in Manzanillo. Throughout the affected area, trees were blown down on cars, roughly 1,500 houses were damaged, as were hotels and restaurants. About 84000 ha (207,568.3 acre) of farmland were damaged, especially those of plantain
Plantain
Plantain is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa. The fruit they produce is generally used for cooking, in contrast to the soft, sweet banana...
s and corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
. Carlos de la Madrid Virgen, the Governor of Colima
Governor of Colima
According to the Political Constitution of the Free and Sovereign State of Colima, the exercise of the Executive Power of this Mexican entity is placed in a single individual, called the Constitutional Governor of the Free and Sovereign State of Colima who is chosen for a period of 6 years and is...
, estimated that the total damage in his state was 16000 pesos (1992 MXP) or $5 million (1992 USD, $ USD). Elsewhere, Winifred forced a temporary closure of the port of Acapulco.