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Tropical Storm Gabrielle (1995)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Gabrielle was a short-lived storm in the Gulf of Mexico
in the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season
that had an erratic path across the western Gulf. It was the seventh named storm
of the season. Gabrielle formed on August 9, 1995 east of the Mexican
state of Tamaulipas
. It slowly approached the coast, making landfall on August 11 north of Tampico
. Heavy rainfall was reported across northeastern Mexico and extreme southern Texas
, but little damage was reported. However, there were six fatalities.
Gabrielle battered Mexico
's eastern coast while Hurricane Flossie in the Eastern Pacific was battering the Baja Peninsula.
that emerged off the coast of Africa
on the last week of July. As it tracked across the Atlantic Ocean
, it remained a well-defined system, but never organized into a tropical cyclone. On August 8, the system entered the Gulf of Mexico
, and a weak low-level circulation developed on August 9. The circulation became better defined later that day, and was confirmed by Reconnaissance
aircraft that afternoon, when it was declared Tropical Depression Eight while east of the coast of northeast Mexico
.
From the outset, its motion was hampered by that of Hurricane Flossie off the Pacific
coast of Mexico. The system was slow to strengthen at first. Deep convection fired up only gradually at first as it slowly tracked westward in the Gulf. However, on the morning of August 10, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Gabrielle. The track also shifted southward somewhat, shifting the threat from Texas
into Mexico. Gabrielle then strengthened slowly but steadily until landfall over the warm waters in a low-shear environment, although land interaction slowed the intensification somewhat. On the morning of August 11, the storm shifted once again onto a west-northwest course, moving very slowly towards the coast.
On the afternoon of August 11, Gabrielle strengthened to its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h), just below hurricane intensity, as it approached landfall. The storm made landfall at 3:00 pm CDT
(2000 UTC) just south of La Pesca in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas
, about 175 miles (280 km) south of the United States-Mexico border and about 90 miles (145 km) north of Tampico
, at its peak intensity. After landfall, Gabrielle quickly weakened, becoming a tropical depression that evening as it moved across land in northeast Mexico. Its surface circulation dissipated early on August 12 over the mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental
, although its cloud pattern transited Mexico intact, moving into the Gulf of California
before it sheared across northwest Mexico on August 15.
to La Pesca, Tamaulipas
while Gabrielle was still as Tropical Depression Eight. That was soon extended to Tampico, Tamaulipas at 900 UTC August 10 and extended further to Tuxpan, Veracruz twelve hours later. All the Texas
warnings were discontinued by 2100 UTC on August 10. All the Mexican
warnings were discontinued six hours later. 800 people were evacuated in Soto la Marina and San Fernando
in Tamaulipas
. People in poor villages in the Rio Grande Valley
were given sandbags with Tropical Storm Gabrielle approaching.
, up to 24 inches (600 mm) of rain occurred in much of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon
, although the rain was reported to have been beneficial as it broke a drought
in the region. This figure is in dispute, as the rainfall database maintained by Mexico's National Weather Service shows the maximum amount to lie under 20 inches (508 mm). Rains from Gabrielle flooded streets and destroyed bridges and highways in Northern Mexico, which is an industrial capital.
In Texas, rainfall of up to 6 inches (150 mm) was reported in the Rio Grande Valley
. Widespread rain amounts of four to six inches from Gabrielle. Gabrielle's rain came after a drought, and some of it soaked in. The rains also damaged unharvested cotton. Otherwise, minor flooding occurred. Brownsville reported up to 4 inches of rain in association with Gabrielle. The storm surge
was also minor. No storm surge recordings were taken in Mexico, although it is estimated by the NHC that a surge of a few feet took place to the north of the track. In extreme southern Texas, minor beach flooding took place at some of the beaches in the region. Six fatalities were reported as a result of Gabrielle. The remains of Gabrielle produced heavy thunderstorms in New Mexico on August 15.
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...
in the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season
1995 Atlantic hurricane season
The 1995 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record. It officially began on June 1, 1995, and lasted until November 30, 1995. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the north Atlantic ocean...
that had an erratic path across the western Gulf. It was the seventh named storm
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...
of the season. Gabrielle formed on August 9, 1995 east of the Mexican
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...
state of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
. It slowly approached the coast, making landfall on August 11 north of Tampico
Tampico
Tampico is a city and port in the state of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located in the southeastern part of the state, directly north across the border from Veracruz. Tampico is the third largest city in Tamaulipas, and counts with a population of 309,003. The Metropolitan area of...
. Heavy rainfall was reported across northeastern Mexico and extreme southern 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...
, but little damage was reported. However, there were six fatalities.
Gabrielle battered 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...
's eastern coast while Hurricane Flossie in the Eastern Pacific was battering the Baja Peninsula.
Meteorological history
The origins of the storm can be traced back to 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...
that emerged off the coast of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
on the last week of July. As it tracked across the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, it remained a well-defined system, but never organized into a tropical cyclone. On August 8, the system entered 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...
, and a weak low-level circulation developed on August 9. The circulation became better defined later that day, and was confirmed by Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
aircraft that afternoon, when it was declared Tropical Depression Eight while east of the coast of northeast 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...
.
From the outset, its motion was hampered by that of Hurricane Flossie off the Pacific
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
coast of Mexico. The system was slow to strengthen at first. Deep convection fired up only gradually at first as it slowly tracked westward in the Gulf. However, on the morning of August 10, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Gabrielle. The track also shifted southward somewhat, shifting the threat from 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...
into Mexico. Gabrielle then strengthened slowly but steadily until landfall over the warm waters in a low-shear environment, although land interaction slowed the intensification somewhat. On the morning of August 11, the storm shifted once again onto a west-northwest course, moving very slowly towards the coast.
On the afternoon of August 11, Gabrielle strengthened to its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h), just below hurricane intensity, as it approached landfall. The storm made landfall at 3:00 pm CDT
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
(2000 UTC) just south of La Pesca in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
, about 175 miles (280 km) south of the United States-Mexico border and about 90 miles (145 km) north of Tampico
Tampico
Tampico is a city and port in the state of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located in the southeastern part of the state, directly north across the border from Veracruz. Tampico is the third largest city in Tamaulipas, and counts with a population of 309,003. The Metropolitan area of...
, at its peak intensity. After landfall, Gabrielle quickly weakened, becoming a tropical depression that evening as it moved across land in northeast Mexico. Its surface circulation dissipated early on August 12 over the mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental
Sierra Madre Oriental
The Sierra Madre Oriental is a mountain range in northeastern Mexico.-Setting:Spanning the Sierra Madre Oriental runs from Coahuila south through Nuevo León, southwest Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, and Hidalgo to northern Puebla, where it joins with the east-west running Eje Volcánico...
, although its cloud pattern transited Mexico intact, moving into the Gulf of California
Gulf of California
The Gulf of California is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland...
before it sheared across northwest Mexico on August 15.
Preparations
Tropical storm warnings were issued for the western Gulf of Mexico at 2100 UTC, which extended from Baffin Bay, TexasBaffin Bay, Texas
Baffin Bay is a bay in South Texas, an inlet of the larger Laguna Madre. Located near the Gulf of Mexico, Baffin Bay forms part of the boundary between Kenedy County and Kleberg County.-Etymology:The history of the bay name is unclear...
to La Pesca, Tamaulipas
La Pesca, Tamaulipas
La Pesca is a small town in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. It is located on the Gulf of Mexico, at the mouth of the Río Soto La Marina, between the Laguna Madre to the north and the Laguna Morales to the south....
while Gabrielle was still as Tropical Depression Eight. That was soon extended to Tampico, Tamaulipas at 900 UTC August 10 and extended further to Tuxpan, Veracruz twelve hours later. All the 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...
warnings were discontinued by 2100 UTC on August 10. All the Mexican
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...
warnings were discontinued six hours later. 800 people were evacuated in Soto la Marina and San Fernando
San Fernando, Tamaulipas
San Fernando is a municipality and city located in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.-Massacres:San Fernando, Tamaulipas is notorious for experiencing two of the largest recorded massacres of the Mexican Drug War...
in Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
. People in poor villages in the Rio Grande Valley
Rio Grande Valley
The Rio Grande Valley or the Lower Rio Grande Valley, informally called The Valley, is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas...
were given sandbags with Tropical Storm Gabrielle approaching.
Impact
Overall damage was generally minor. There were no reports of wind damage, although tropical storm-force winds affected the northern coast of Tamaulipas. According to the National Hurricane CenterNational 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...
, up to 24 inches (600 mm) of rain occurred in much of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
, although the rain was reported to have been beneficial as it broke a drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
in the region. This figure is in dispute, as the rainfall database maintained by Mexico's National Weather Service shows the maximum amount to lie under 20 inches (508 mm). Rains from Gabrielle flooded streets and destroyed bridges and highways in Northern Mexico, which is an industrial capital.
In Texas, rainfall of up to 6 inches (150 mm) was reported in the Rio Grande Valley
Rio Grande Valley
The Rio Grande Valley or the Lower Rio Grande Valley, informally called The Valley, is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas...
. Widespread rain amounts of four to six inches from Gabrielle. Gabrielle's rain came after a drought, and some of it soaked in. The rains also damaged unharvested cotton. Otherwise, minor flooding occurred. Brownsville reported up to 4 inches of rain in association with Gabrielle. The storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
was also minor. No storm surge recordings were taken in Mexico, although it is estimated by the NHC that a surge of a few feet took place to the north of the track. In extreme southern Texas, minor beach flooding took place at some of the beaches in the region. Six fatalities were reported as a result of Gabrielle. The remains of Gabrielle produced heavy thunderstorms in New Mexico on August 15.
See also
- Other storms of the same name
- Timeline of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 1995 Atlantic hurricane seasonThis timeline documents all the storm formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, as well as dissipation during the 1995 Atlantic hurricane season. The season officially began on June 1, 1995, and ended on November 30, and no storms formed off-season...
External links
- NHC's Preliminary Report for Tropical Storm Gabrielle
- HPC's Rainfall Report for Tropical Storm Gabrielle