DOCSLIB.ORG

Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season of 1995

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

1152 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW VOLUME 126 Eastern North Paci®c Hurricane Season of 1995 EDWARD N. RAPPAPORT,LIXION A. AVILA,MILES B. LAWRENCE,MAX MAYFIELD, AND RICHARD J. PASCH National Hurricane Center, Tropical Prediction Center, NWS/NOAA, Miami, Florida (Manuscript received 3 September 1996, in ®nal form 28 January 1997) ABSTRACT The 1995 eastern North Paci®c hurricane season is reviewed. The activity comprised 11 tropical cyclones, consisting of seven hurricanes, three tropical storms, and one tropical depression. Hurricane Ismael caused a large loss of life in the southern Gulf of California. 1. Introduction gion. This pattern is also consistent with fewer than normal storms forming in the Paci®c and enhanced ac- The western hemisphere was a scene of stark contrasts tivity over the western Caribbean region (cf. Lawrence in tropical cyclone activity during 1995. More tropical et al. 1998). cyclones formed in the Atlantic hurricane basin than in In contrast to these atmospheric features, anomalies the eastern North Paci®c Ocean for the ®rst time in 26 of sea surface temperature (not shown) were small and years (cf. Lawrence et al. 1998). In fact, while the At- thought to be insigni®cant. In fact, when atmospheric lantic produced 19 tropical storms, its second largest conditions were conducive for development, the warm total during the past 125 years, the total of 10 tropical eastern Paci®c waters allowed three of the 10 tropical storms in the eastern North Paci®c Ocean ranks as the storms to strengthen to category 4 status on the Saf®r± second fewest in the 30-yr period of routine satellite Simpson hurricane scale (1-min wind speeds exceeding surveillance (1977 had 8 storms) and is 6 fewer than about 58 m s21). the average over that period. Of the 10 Paci®c storms, Most of the tropical cyclones followed the climato- 7 became hurricanes. There was also one tropical de- logically favored west-northwestward track from off- pression during May. It remained offshore. shore southwestern Mexico toward the relatively cool Several other measures were indicative of reduced waters west of the Baja California peninsula (Fig. 3). levels of activity in the eastern Paci®c. The ®rst storm However, three tropical cyclones adversely affected formed rather late, in mid-June. The last storm dissi- western Mexico. Flossie remained centered just offshore pated in late September making 1995 the ®rst year dur- but seven people lost their lives in coastal areas on its ing the satellite era without an October eastern Paci®c eastern fringe. Henriette caused damage where it crossed tropical cyclone. There were fewer than normal tropical southern Baja California but took no lives. A large loss cyclones in every month of the season. of life was reported in association with Ismael's north- Two persistent large-scale atmospheric anomalies ap- ward excursion through the southern Gulf of California. pear consistent with the decreased number of storms. Another unusual aspect of the 1995 season was the rel- Figure 1 shows anomalously strong easterly vertical atively short tracks of the cyclones that remained off- wind shear coinciding with the normal genesis area near shore. Only one system, Hurricane Barbara, crossed 128N, 1008W. This pattern was representative of both 1408W, entering the central Paci®c hurricane basin, and the average and many daily conditions and likely hin- it dissipated shortly thereafter. No other tropical cyclone dered tropical cyclone formation. A westerly wind reached 1308W and no other hurricane progressed to anomaly at low levels (Fig. 2) contributed to the shear 1208W. Table 1 provides additional information about pattern. It was associated with an eastward shift of the the tropical cyclones. zone of peak positive low-level convergence and vor- ticity from the climatological mean position over the eastern Paci®c toward the southwestern Caribbean re- 2. Tropical cyclone tracks The NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC) trop- ical cyclone track database consists of a center position Corresponding author address: Dr. Edward N. Rappaport, Tropical and two measures of intensity (the maximum 1-min sus- Prediction Center, NOAA/NWS/NHC, 11691 SW 17th St., Miami, tained surface wind speed and the minimum sea level FL 33165-2149. pressure). The parameters are estimated at 6-h intervals. q 1998 American Meteorological Society Unauthenticated | Downloaded 09/23/21 01:35 PM UTC MAY 1998 RAPPAPORT ET AL. 1153 FIG. 1. Anomalies (m s21), from the 1975±95 mean, of the vertical shear of the horizontal wind (approximately 900 mb minus 200 mb) for (a) June and July and (b) August, September, and October 1995. They are based on a poststorm analysis of data con- Forecast unit), the NOAA Synoptic Analysis Branch ducted by the NHC.1 The primary sources for the anal- (SAB), and the Air Force Global Weather Central ysis are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin- (AFGWC). These centers provided to the NHC real- istration (NOAA) Tropical Analysis and Forecast time estimates of position and intensity by applying the Branch (TAFB; formerly Tropical Satellite Analysis and Dvorak (1984) tropical cyclone analysis technique to imagery from the Geostationary Operational Environ- mental Satellites (GOES-7 and GOES-8) and polar- orbiting satellites. Observations from ships and land sta- 1 Track and ``®x'' data are contained in the Annual Hurricane Dis- tions supplemented these data. Figure 3 shows the 1995 kette Data Tabulation, available from the National Climatic Data Cen- ter, Federal Building, Asheville, NC 28801. Additional observations tropical storm and hurricane tracks and indicates where are contained in NHC Preliminary Reports found on the NHC Internet these systems were located at tropical depression, trop- Web site at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov. ical storm, and hurricane intensity. FIG. 2. Average low-level (approximately 900 mb) wind anomalies for (a) June and July and (b) August, September, and October 1995. Anomalies are 1995 minus 1975±95 averages in meters per second. ATOLL refers to analysis of the tropical oceanic lower layer. Unauthenticated | Downloaded 09/23/21 01:35 PM UTC 1154 MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW VOLUME 126 . 3. Tropical storm and hurricane tracks for 1995. IG F Unauthenticated | Downloaded 09/23/21 01:35 PM UTC MAY 1998 RAPPAPORT ET AL. 1155 TABLE 1. Eastern North Paci®c hurricane season statistics for when it was forecast that the cyclone was going to move 1995. northwestward away from the mainland. The NHC has Maximum Minimum not received reports of casualties or damage related to 1-min sea level Adolph. wind pressure 21 Based upon Dvorak (1984) technique satellite inten- Number Name Class* Dates** (m s ) (mb) sity estimates, Adolph is estimated to have reached max- 1 Adolph H 15±21 Jun 59 948 imum 1-min winds of 59 m s21 and a minimum pressure 2 Barbara H 7±18 Jul 62 940 3 Cosme H 17±22 Jul 33 985 of 948 mb at 0600 UTC 18 June. The 3-h averages of 4 Dalila T 24 Jul±2 Aug 28 994 objective intensity estimates peaked near this time when 5 Erick T 1±8 Aug 28 994 satellite imagery indicated a small and distinct eye em- 6 Flossie H 7±14 Aug 36 978 bedded within very cold cloud tops. 7 Gil T 20±27 Aug 28 993 Adolph began weakening when the upper-level en- 8 Henriette H 1±8 Sep 44 970 9 Ismael H 12±15 Sep 36 983 vironment became less favorable and when the cyclone 10 Juliette H 16±26 Sept 67 930 moved over cooler water. On 19 June, the track of Adolph gradually turned toward the west. The cyclone * T: tropical storm, wind speed 17±32 m s21. H: hurricane, wind weakened to a tropical storm by 1200 UTC on this date speed 33 m s21 or higher. ** Dates begin at 0000 UTC and include tropical depression stage. and to a tropical depression by 1200 UTC on the fol- lowing day. Adolph dissipated on 21 June when the cyclone was centered about 550 km south-southwest of 3. NHC forecast accuracy the southernmost tip of Baja California. At this time The NHC began operational forecasting of eastern Adolph was characterized by a swirl of low clouds, no 21 North Paci®c tropical cyclones in 1988. Every6hthe deep convection, and maximum winds near 10 m s . NHC issues its ``of®cial'' tropical cyclone track and in- tensity forecasts for periods extending to 72 h. The fore- b. Hurricane Barbara, 7±18 July casts are evaluated using the track and intensity (5-kt resolution) dataset derived from NHC's poststorm anal- Hurricane Barbara's formation appears to have been ysis of all available information. Tables 2 and 3 show related to a weak tropical wave that crossed Dakar, Sen- the 1995 average of®cial track and intensity errors. They egal, as a large swirl of low clouds on 24 June. Based are comparable to the 1988±94 average errors. heavily on extrapolation, the wave moved westward over the Atlantic and then over South America with 4. Tropical storm and hurricane summaries little representation on satellite images or in rawinsonde data. The wave reached the eastern Paci®c on 5 July. a. Hurricane Adolph, 15±21 June There, convection developed and gradually became or- Hurricane Adolph formed from a tropical disturbance ganized. Satellite intensity estimates indicate that the that gradually became better organized off the southwest westward-moving system became a tropical depression coast of Mexico. The disturbance was possibly asso- at 1800 UTC 7 July about 925 km south of Manzanillo, ciated with a westward moving tropical wave, but a lack Mexico. The depression intensi®ed and became Tropical of suf®cient upper-air data and cloudiness makes it dif- Storm Barbara 12 h later.
Recommended publications
  • FEMA Flood Boundary

    FEMA Flood Boundary

    MAY 4, 2021 COUSHATTA TRIBE OF LOUISIANA TRIBAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT MAY 2021 Prepared by BEVERLY O'DEA BRIDGEVIEW CONSULTING, LLC 915 N. Laurel Lane Tacoma, WA 98406 (253) 380-5736 Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana 2021 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Prepared for Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Coushatta Tribal Fire Department P.O. Box 818 Elton, LA 70532 Prepared by Bridgeview Consulting, LLC Beverly O’Dea 915 N. Laurel Lane Tacoma, WA 98406 (253) 380-5736 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... xiii Plan Update ................................................................................................................................................. xiv Initial Response to the DMA for the Coushatta Tribe ........................................................................... xv The 2021 Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana Update—What has changed? ................................................. xv Plan Development Methodology ............................................................................................................... xvii Chapter 1. Introduction to Hazzard Mitigation Planning ............................................... 1-1 1.1 Authority .............................................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................
  • Fall 2006 OKLAHOMA CLIMATE

    Fall 2006 OKLAHOMA CLIMATE

    OKLAHOMA CLIMATE Fall 2006 Anything But Pacific Loss Mitigation Conference 2006 EarthStorm Teachers on the Road Cloud Seeding MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR Table of Contents Hurricanes are the most destructive weather phenomenon on the Earth, with Anything But Pacific..........................................3 apologies to our own little terrors of Mother Nature, tornadoes. The awful Oklahoma Climate & Loss Mitigation Conf. .......6 destruction wrought upon the Gulf Coast by Katrina silenced any arguments on that subject. But in one of the great ironies for a state that has suffered greatly Answers to the Classroom Activity.................7 due to hazardous weather, Oklahoma has actually benefited in the past from the arrival of those monster cyclones. They are no longer Hurricanes by the time they Photos From the Field.....................................8 pass over Oklahoma soil, of course, merely remnants of their former powerful selves. When they do arrive, however, they bring with them a sizable amount of EarthStorm Teachers On the Road...............10 tropical moisture. Imagine a gigantic sponge floating over the state, waiting to be squeezed. And if there is ever a time that the state could use a good wallop Summer 2006 Climate Summary.................14 of moisture, it’s during the type of drought we’ve experienced the last couple of Agriculture Weather Watch............................19 years. Urban Farmer..................................................20 We decided to concentrate this issue of “Oklahoma Climate” on hurricanes and their effects on the state. Our historical perspective delves right into the issue Classroom Activity...........................................21 with a look back at Oklahoma’s previous brushes with tropical cyclones and how they’ve helped to end droughts.
  • Texas Hurricane History

    Texas Hurricane History

    Texas Hurricane History David Roth National Weather Service Camp Springs, MD Table of Contents Preface 3 Climatology of Texas Tropical Cyclones 4 List of Texas Hurricanes 8 Tropical Cyclone Records in Texas 11 Hurricanes of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries 12 Hurricanes of the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries 13 Hurricanes of the Late Nineteenth Century 16 The First Indianola Hurricane - 1875 21 Last Indianola Hurricane (1886)- The Storm That Doomed Texas’ Major Port 24 The Great Galveston Hurricane (1900) 29 Hurricanes of the Early Twentieth Century 31 Corpus Christi’s Devastating Hurricane (1919) 38 San Antonio’s Great Flood – 1921 39 Hurricanes of the Late Twentieth Century 48 Hurricanes of the Early Twenty-First Century 68 Acknowledgments 74 Bibliography 75 Preface Every year, about one hundred tropical disturbances roam the open Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. About fifteen of these become tropical depressions, areas of low pressure with closed wind patterns. Of the fifteen, ten become tropical storms, and six become hurricanes. Every five years, one of the hurricanes will become reach category five status, normally in the western Atlantic or western Caribbean. About every fifty years, one of these extremely intense hurricanes will strike the United States, with disastrous consequences. Texas has seen its share of hurricane activity over the many years it has been inhabited. Nearly five hundred years ago, unlucky Spanish explorers learned firsthand what storms along the coast of the Lone Star State were capable of. Despite these setbacks, Spaniards set down roots across Mexico and Texas and started colonies. Galleons filled with gold and other treasures sank to the bottom of the Gulf, off such locations as Padre and Galveston Islands.
  • Climatology, Variability, and Return Periods of Tropical Cyclone Strikes in the Northeastern and Central Pacific Ab Sins Nicholas S

    Climatology, Variability, and Return Periods of Tropical Cyclone Strikes in the Northeastern and Central Pacific Ab Sins Nicholas S

    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Master's Theses Graduate School March 2019 Climatology, Variability, and Return Periods of Tropical Cyclone Strikes in the Northeastern and Central Pacific aB sins Nicholas S. Grondin Louisiana State University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses Part of the Climate Commons, Meteorology Commons, and the Physical and Environmental Geography Commons Recommended Citation Grondin, Nicholas S., "Climatology, Variability, and Return Periods of Tropical Cyclone Strikes in the Northeastern and Central Pacific asinB s" (2019). LSU Master's Theses. 4864. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/4864 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Master's Theses by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CLIMATOLOGY, VARIABILITY, AND RETURN PERIODS OF TROPICAL CYCLONE STRIKES IN THE NORTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL PACIFIC BASINS A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in The Department of Geography and Anthropology by Nicholas S. Grondin B.S. Meteorology, University of South Alabama, 2016 May 2019 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my family, especially mom, Mim and Pop, for their love and encouragement every step of the way. This thesis is dedicated to my friends and fraternity brothers, especially Dillon, Sarah, Clay, and Courtney, for their friendship and support. This thesis is dedicated to all of my teachers and college professors, especially Mrs.
  • CENTRAL AMERICA: Disaster Management Is Key Challenge

    CENTRAL AMERICA: Disaster Management Is Key Challenge

    http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.nps.edu/printviewfile?accountid=12702 Back to previous page document 1 of 1 CENTRAL AMERICA: Disaster management is key challenge OxResearch Daily Brief Service. (Dec 31, 2014). Find a copy http://sfxhosted.exlibrisgroup.com/nps?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:book& genre=unknown&sid=ProQ:OxResearch&atitle=& title=CENTRAL+AMERICA%3A+Disaster+management+is+key+challenge&issn=&date=2014-12-31&volume=& issue=&spage=1&au=&isbn=&jtitle=& btitle=CENTRAL+AMERICA%3A+Disaster+management+is+key+challenge&rft_id=info:eric/&rft_id=info:doi/ Abstract Disaster preparedness in Central America. In recent months, Central American countries have been boosting regional cooperation for the enhancement of security strategies in response to the increase in child migration through the region en route to the United States. Less high-profile regional efforts are also being made in the area of emergency preparedness in this disaster-prone region. Full Text SUBJECT:Disaster preparedness in Central America. SIGNIFICANCE:In recent months, Central American countries have been boosting regional cooperation for the enhancement of security strategies in response to the increase in child migration through the region en route to the United States. Less high-profile regional efforts are also being made in the area of emergency preparedness in this disaster-prone region. ANALYSIS: Impacts. The United States will continue to support training exercises, as natural disasters increase regional vulnerability, thus driving migration. 1 of 6 12/13/2015 4:07 PM http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.nps.edu/printviewfile?accountid=12702 Long-term urban planning will remain a key factor in the reduction of the impact of natural disasters in the region.
  • Hurricane and Tropical Storm

    Hurricane and Tropical Storm

    State of New Jersey 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan Section 5. Risk Assessment 5.8 Hurricane and Tropical Storm 2014 Plan Update Changes The 2014 Plan Update includes tropical storms, hurricanes and storm surge in this hazard profile. In the 2011 HMP, storm surge was included in the flood hazard. The hazard profile has been significantly enhanced to include a detailed hazard description, location, extent, previous occurrences, probability of future occurrence, severity, warning time and secondary impacts. New and updated data and figures from ONJSC are incorporated. New and updated figures from other federal and state agencies are incorporated. Potential change in climate and its impacts on the flood hazard are discussed. The vulnerability assessment now directly follows the hazard profile. An exposure analysis of the population, general building stock, State-owned and leased buildings, critical facilities and infrastructure was conducted using best available SLOSH and storm surge data. Environmental impacts is a new subsection. 5.8.1 Profile Hazard Description A tropical cyclone is a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or sub-tropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are all considered tropical cyclones. These storms rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere around the center and are accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] 2013a). Almost all tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic basin (which includes the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea) form between June 1 and November 30 (hurricane season). August and September are peak months for hurricane development.
  • BARBARA (EP022019) 30 June – 5 July 2019

    BARBARA (EP022019) 30 June – 5 July 2019

    NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT HURRICANE BARBARA (EP022019) 30 June – 5 July 2019 John P. Cangialosi National Hurricane Center 25 August 2019 VISIBLE SATELLITE MODIS IMAGE OF HURRICANE BARBARA AROUND THE TIME OF ITS PEAK INTENSITY. IMAGE COURTSEY OF NASA. Barbara was a category 4 hurricane (on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) that rapidly intensified and remained out at sea. The hurricane then rapidly weakened and became a post-tropical cyclone just east of the central North Pacific basin. Hurricane Barbara 2 Hurricane Barbara 30 JUNE – 5 JULY 2019 SYNOPTIC HISTORY The genesis of Barbara appears to be associated with a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa on 18 June. This disturbance produced disorganized deep convection while it was travelling across the Atlantic Ocean, especially when it interacted with an upper-level trough near the Lesser Antilles on 22 and 23 June. Showers and thunderstorms remained disorganized near the wave axis as it entered the far eastern North Pacific basin on 26 June, but the convective activity gradually increased during the next couple of days while the disturbance passed well south of Mexico. Environmental low-level southwesterly flow helped the wave establish a broad circulation on 29 June. Deep convection continued to increase later that day, and the system developed a well-defined center by 0600 UTC 30 June, marking the formation of a tropical cyclone about 550 n mi south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Since scatterometer data indicated that winds were already near 35 kt, tropical storm status is shown at the time of genesis.
  • HURRICANE COSME (EP032013) 23 – 27 June 2013

    HURRICANE COSME (EP032013) 23 – 27 June 2013

    NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT HURRICANE COSME (EP032013) 23 – 27 June 2013 Eric Blake National Hurricane Center 10 September 2013 COSME NEAR SOCORRO ISLAND (25 JUN 1740 UTC) – NASA Cosme was a large category 1 hurricane (on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) that brought tropical storm conditions to Socorro and Clarion Islands, but stayed offshore of southwestern Mexico. Hurricane COSME 2 Hurricane COSME 23 – 27 JUNE 2013 SYNOPTIC HISTORY Cosme can be traced back to the same tropical wave that spawned Tropical Storm Barry in the Gulf of Mexico. The southern end of the wave moved very slowly across the eastern Pacific due to enhanced southwesterly flow associated with an active ITCZ. A broad low pressure area formed from the wave on 21 June several hundred miles south of Acapulco, Mexico. The large system was not well organized initially, probably due to northwesterly shear from an upper-level trough over the western Caribbean Sea. The shear gradually relaxed during the next two days while an upper-level high built eastward across the low. Convection increased near the ill-defined center and within large banding features early on 23 June, likely aided by the passage of an eastward-moving atmospheric Kelvin wave through the area. Visible satellite images and microwave data suggest the center became well defined by 1200 UTC 23 June, marking the formation of a tropical depression about 435 n mi south of Manzanillo, Mexico. The system became a tropical storm 12 h later. The “best track” chart of Cosme’s path is given in Fig. 1, with the wind and pressure histories shown in Figs.
  • United Nations Environment Program Terminal Evaluation Of

    United Nations Environment Program Terminal Evaluation Of

    United Nations Environment Program Terminal Evaluation of Mainstreaming the conservation of ecosystem services and biodiversity at the sub-watershed scale in Chiapas, Mexico By Robert Hofstede Evaluation Office November 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... 1 ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................................... 5 I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 6 II. THE EVALUATION .............................................................................................................. 6 III. THE PROJECT ..................................................................................................................... 7 A. PROJECT CONTEXT ..................................................................................................... 7 B. OBJECTIVES AND COMPONENTS.............................................................................. 8 C. TARGET AREAS/GROUPS ............................................................................................ 9 D. MILESTONES/KEY DATES IN PROJECT DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION..... 9 E. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS ....................................................................10 F. PROJECT FINANCING ..................................................................................................10 G. PROJECT
  • Texas Hurricane History

    Texas Hurricane History

    Texas Hurricane History David Roth National Weather Service Camp Springs, MD Table of Contents Preface 3 Climatology of Texas Tropical Cyclones 4 List of Texas Hurricanes 8 Tropical Cyclone Records in Texas 11 Hurricanes of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries 12 Hurricanes of the Eighteenth and Early Nineteenth Centuries 13 Hurricanes of the Late Nineteenth Century 16 The First Indianola Hurricane - 1875 19 Last Indianola Hurricane (1886)- The Storm That Doomed Texas’ Major Port 22 The Great Galveston Hurricane (1900) 27 Hurricanes of the Early Twentieth Century 29 Corpus Christi’s Devastating Hurricane (1919) 35 San Antonio’s Great Flood – 1921 37 Hurricanes of the Late Twentieth Century 45 Hurricanes of the Early Twenty-First Century 65 Acknowledgments 71 Bibliography 72 Preface Every year, about one hundred tropical disturbances roam the open Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. About fifteen of these become tropical depressions, areas of low pressure with closed wind patterns. Of the fifteen, ten become tropical storms, and six become hurricanes. Every five years, one of the hurricanes will become reach category five status, normally in the western Atlantic or western Caribbean. About every fifty years, one of these extremely intense hurricanes will strike the United States, with disastrous consequences. Texas has seen its share of hurricane activity over the many years it has been inhabited. Nearly five hundred years ago, unlucky Spanish explorers learned firsthand what storms along the coast of the Lone Star State were capable of. Despite these setbacks, Spaniards set down roots across Mexico and Texas and started colonies. Galleons filled with gold and other treasures sank to the bottom of the Gulf, off such locations as Padre and Galveston Islands.
  • BARBARA (EP022013) 28 – 30 May 2013

    BARBARA (EP022013) 28 – 30 May 2013

    NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TROPICAL CYCLONE REPORT HURRICANE BARBARA (EP022013) 28 – 30 May 2013 Daniel P. Brown National Hurricane Center 1 19 August 2013 GOES 14 SATELLITE IMAGE OF HURRICANE BARBARA AT 1815 UTC 29 MAY, NEAR THE TIME OF LANDFALL IN SOUTHERN MEXICO. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE NOAA ENVIRONMENTAL VISUALIZATION LABORATORY. Barbara was an early season category 1 hurricane (on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale) that made landfall along the Pacific coast of southeastern Mexico. Barbara’s landfall location is the easternmost recorded landfall point for an eastern North Pacific hurricane. Barbara’s landfall date of 29 May marks the second-earliest hurricane landfall date in the basin since records began in 1949. 1 Original report date 6 August 2013. Corrected for tropical cyclone status in Table 1 and Figure 1. Hurricane Barbara 2 Hurricane Barbara 28 – 30 MAY 2013 SYNOPTIC HISTORY Barbara appears to have formed from the interaction of a tropical wave with an eastward-moving atmospheric Kelvin wave during an active period of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (Fig.1 ). Satellite data suggest that the low-amplitude tropical wave departed the west coast of Africa on 16 May and crossed Central America on 24 May. The wave moved over the far eastern Pacific Ocean shortly thereafter, and a broad low pressure area formed southwest of the coast of Nicaragua on 25 May after the atmospheric Kelvin wave passed the longitude of the disturbance (Fig. 1). The broad low moved west-northwestward during the next few days while the associated shower and thunderstorm activity gradually increased. Early on 28 May, the circulation became better defined, which resulted in the formation of a tropical depression by 1200 UTC, about 110 n mi south-southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico.
  • The Investigation and Identification of a Sixteenth-Century Shipwreck

    The Investigation and Identification of a Sixteenth-Century Shipwreck

    Solving a Sunken Mystery: The Investigation and Identification of a Sixteenth-Century Shipwreck By Corey Malcom A thesis submitted to the University of Huddersfield in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Huddersfield School of Music, Humanities, and Media March 2017 2 COPYRIGHT STATEMENT I. The author of this thesis (including any appendices and/or schedules to this thesis) owns any copyright in it (the “Copyright”) and s/he has given The University of Huddersfield the right to use such Copyright for any administrative, promotional, educational and/or teaching purposes. II. Copies of this thesis, either in full or in extracts, may be made only in accordance with the regulations of the University Library. Details of these regulations may be obtained from the Librarian. III. The ownership of any patents, designs, trademarks and any and all other intellectual property rights except for the Copyright (the “Intellectual Property Rights”) and any reproductions of copyright works, for example graphs and tables (“Reproductions”), which may be described in this thesis, may not be owned by the author and may be owned by third parties. Such Intellectual Property Rights and Reproductions cannot and must not be made available for use without the prior written permission of the owner(s) of the relevant Intellectual Property Rights and/or Reproductions. 3 ABSTRACT In the summer of 1991, St. Johns Expeditions, a Florida-based marine salvage company, discovered a shipwreck buried behind a shallow reef along the western edge of the Little Bahama Bank. The group contacted archaeologists to ascertain the significance of the discovery, and it was soon determined to be a Spanish ship dating to the 1500’s.