Hurricane Carlotta (2000)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Carlotta
Type=Hurricane
Year=2000
Basin=EPac
Image location=Hurricane Carlotta 2000.jpg


Formed=June 18, 2000
Dissipated=June 25, 2000
1-min winds=135
Pressure=932
Da

Inflated=
Fatalities=18 direct
Areas=Mexico
Hurricane season=2000 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Carlotta was the most powerful hurricane of the 2000 Pacific hurricane season. The third tropical cyclone of the season, Carlotta developed from a tropical wave on June 18 about 270 miles (470 km) southeast off the coast of Mexico. With favorable conditions for development, it strengthened steadily at first, followed by a period of rapid deepening to peak winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) on June 22. Cooler waters caused Carlotta to gradually weaken, and on June 25 it degenerated into a remnant area of low pressure while located about 260 miles (420 km) west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas.

The hurricane produced heavy rainfall and rough surf along the southwest coast of Mexico, though no serious damage was reported. A Lithuanian freighter traversing through the peak of the hurricane was lost after experiencing an engine failure; its crew of 18 was presumed killed.

Meteorological history

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on June 3. It tracked westward across the unfavorable Atlantic Ocean, and on June 15 it crossed Central America into the eastern Pacific Ocean. The system continued westward, and late on June 16 a low pressure area developed about 300 miles (480 km) southwest of San José, Costa Rica. At around 1200 UTC on June 17, Dvorak classifications began on the disturbance, though initially its convection was broadly distributed and disorganized. The next day, however, an area of concentrated convection developed just south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.cite web|author=James Franklin|year=2000|title=Hurricane Carlotta Tropical Cyclone Report|accessdate=2007-07-11|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2000carlotta.html] Ships in the vicinity confirmed the development of a surface circulation within the system, while satellite imagery showed the development of a central dense overcast.Cite web|author=Lawrence|year=2000|title=Tropical Depression Three-E Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-11|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.001.html] Based on its organization, it is estimated the system developed into Tropical Depression Three-E late on June 18 while located about 270 miles (470 km) southeast of Puerto Angel, Oaxaca in Mexico.

Initially, the convection of the depression was displaced to the west of the circulation due to some easterly wind shear, though as it tracked west-northwestward parallel to the coast of Mexico, it maintained and developed deep convection near and over the center.Cite web|author=Franklin|year=2000|title=Tropical Storm Carlotta Discussion Two|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.002.html] With favorable conditions, the cyclone strengthened and became Tropical Storm Carlotta early on June 19. The storm initially maintained a track toward the Mexican coastline, though a mid-level ridge turned it to the west; its closest point of approach was about 140 miles (225 km) at 1200 UTC on June 19. Late that day, a ragged banding-eye feature developed on satellite imagery, while at the same time it maintained an area of strong convection and well-defined outflow to its south.Cite web|author=Stewart & Lawrence|year=2000|title=Tropical Storm Carlotta Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.005.html] The storm continued to intensify, and at 0600 UTC on June 20 Carlotta attained hurricane status while located about 155 miles (250 km) south of Acapulco. Operationally, it was upgraded to hurricane status six hours earlier.Cite web|author=Franklin|year=2000|title=Hurricane Carlotta Special Discussion Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.006.html]

With a large anticyclone centered near Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Carlotta turned more to the west. Deep convection increased in coverage and intensityCite web|author=Beven|year=2000|title=Hurricane Carlotta Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.008.html] as the system maintained impressive upper-level outflow over its southern semicircle. Late on June 20, Hurricane Carlotta began a period of rapid deepening, with warm waters and a very favorable upper-level environment,Cite web|author=Beven|year=2000|title=Hurricane Carlotta Discussion Twelve|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.012.html] and in a twelve-hour period the pressure dropped 49 mbar to an estimated minimum central pressure of 932 mbar at 0600 UTC on June 21; at the same time, Carlotta attained peak winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) while located about 285 miles (455 km) southwest of Acapulco. At the time of its peak intensity, Carlotta maintained a well-defined central dense overcast around an eye of 20 miles (36 km) in diameter. Satellite intensity estimates indicated winds of 160 mph (260 km/h), though through much of its duration there was a sizable discrepancy between the estimated winds and that of winds reported by Hurricane Hunters.

Hurricane Carlotta maintained peak winds for about twelve hours before weakening as it curved around the periphery of the mid-level ridge over Mexico. Late on June 21, the eye had become less distinct while its surrounding ring of convection eroded and warmed.Cite web|author=Avila|year=2000|title=Hurricane Carlotta Discussion Fourteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.014.html] Early on June 22, northeasterly wind shear increased,Cite web|author=Franklin|year=2000|title=Hurricane Carlotta Discussion Fifteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.015.html] and shortly thereafter the weakening trend was temporarily halted with some oscillations in the convective intensity and eye definition. Weakening continued on June 23 as the hurricane tracked over increasingly cooler waters, and shortly after 0000 UTC on June 24 Carlotta weakened to a tropical storm about 260 miles (420 km) west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas. Overall convection continued to diminish, and early on June 25 the winds dropped to tropical depression status. Deep convection ceased to exist by 0600 UTC on June 25, and Carlotta degenerated into a remnant low pressure area. The low-level circulation of Carlotta persisted for several days as it continued northwestward.

Impact and records

Shortly after first developing, the government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Salina Cruz to Acapulco, and later was extended to Zihuatanejo. Though the National Hurricane Center never forecast it to make landfall, one computer model predicted Carlotta to move ashore; due to the threat, the Mexican government also issued a hurricane watch from Puerto Angel to Zihuatanejo. Outer rainbands and rough surf affected the southwestern coast of Mexico for an extended duration;Cite web|author=Avila|year=2000|title=Hurricane Carlotta Discussion Thirteen|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/dis/NEP0300.013.html] officials evacuated about 100 families in potentially flooded areas of Acapulco as a precaution.cite web|author=Associated Press|year=2000|title=Hurricane Carlotta forms off Mexico's Pacific coast|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2000/WEATHER/06/19/mexico.hurricane.ap/index.html] Precipitation and clouds were reported in every Mexican state along the Pacific Ocean,cite web|author=Alberto Hernández Unzón|year=2000|title=Huracán Carlotta|publisher=Servicio Meteorológico Nacional|accessdate=2007-07-15|language=Spanish|url=http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo2000/pacifico/carlotta/carlotta.html] resulting in flooding in some areas.cite web|author=National Climatic Data Center|year=2000|title=Climate-Watch, June 2000|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/extremes/2000/june/extremes0600.html] No stations in Mexico reported sustained tropical storm force winds; however, Bahías de Huatulco International Airport in Oaxaca reported a wind gust of 44 mph (71 km/h). Heavy rainfall and rough seas were also reported on Socorro Island.

Seven ships reported tropical storm force winds in association with Carlotta, peaking at 46 mph (74 km/h); the lowest pressure recorded by ship was 1,008 mbar. Offshore, waves reached 40 feet (12 m) in height.cite web|author=CNN.com|year=2000|title=Freighter disappears off Mexico, 18 missing|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/americas/06/23/mexico.freighter/index.html] The Lithuanian freighter M/V Linkuva, en route to Long Beach, California, encountered the waves and strong winds as the hurricane was undergoing its period of rapid intensification. After an engine failure, the freighter was lost about 220 miles (355 km) southwest of Acapulco. A naval vessel from both the United States Navy and the Mexican Navy searched for the freighter for three days, though the crew was lost and presumed killed.cite web|author=Lawrence, et. al|year=2007|title=2000 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Summary|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/tws/MIATWSEP_nov.html]

With maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h), Hurricane Carlotta was the second strongest June hurricane in the east Pacific Ocean, after Hurricane Ava in 1973. As onshore effects were minimal, the name "Carlotta" was not retired; it was re-used in 2006, and is scheduled to be reused in 2012.cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2007|title=Hurricane Data for Pacific Hurricanes 1949-2006|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2007-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2006_epa.txt|format=TXT]

ee also

* List of Pacific hurricanes

References