Tropical Storm Kiko (2007)

Tropical Storm Kiko
Tropical Storm (SSHS)
Tropical Storm Kiko near peak strength

Tropical Storm Kiko near peak strength
Formed October 15, 2007
Dissipated October 23, 2007
Highest
winds
70 mph (110 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Lowest pressure 991 mbar (hPa; 29.28 inHg)
Fatalities 15 direct, 9 missing
Damage None
Areas
affected		 Mexico
Part of the
2007 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Kiko was a strong tropical storm that killed at least 15 people off the coast of Mexico when a ferry, caught in the storm's rough surf, capsized. Kiko, which peaked just below hurricane intensity, was forecast to make landfall along the Mexican coastline. The 15th and final tropical cyclone and the 11th named storm of the 2007 Pacific hurricane season, Kiko developed out of a tropical wave that formed off the coast of Africa on September 26 and traversed the Atlantic. The wave crossed over Central America and entered the Pacific Ocean on October 8 and spawned Tropical Depression 15-E on October 15. The depression drifted to the south over the next day before briefly being declared Tropical Storm Kiko. By October 18 Kiko was forecast to make landfall along the Mexican coastline as a moderate tropical storm. However, the cyclone turned to the west and reached its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) on October 20. The tropical storm slowly weakened to a remnant low-pressure area by October 24 and completely dissipated on October 27 without making landfall.1

Contents

Meteorological history

Storm path

A tropical wave—trough of low pressure—exited the western coast of Africa on September 26. A second area of low pressure developed along the southern portion of the wave as it traveled west. The northern low quickly developed, spawning Tropical Depression Fourteen on September 28. The southern low attached to the wave failed to develop and moved away from the developing tropical depression. It continued through the Atlantic, entering the Pacific Ocean on October 8. A broad area of low pressure accompanied by showers and thunderstorms developed along the wave around 275 mi (440 km) south of Acapulco, Mexico. However, the low remained disorganized because of strong upper-level winds. On October 13, those winds weakened slightly, allowing the low to become better organized.1 The low developed enough convection late on October 14 to be declared Tropical Depression 15-E while located about 435 mi (705 km) southwest of Colima, Mexico.2

The depression was embedded within a broad, low-level cyclone with weak steering currents that caused Fifteen-E to drift southward for the next 30 hours.1 On October 16, strong easterly wind shear exposed the center of the depression. However, a curving convective band developed around the system, and satellites detected winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). This prompted the National Hurricane Center to upgrade the depression to Tropical Storm Kiko as it drifted about 430 mi (695 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.3 The intensification was short-lived, and Kiko was downgraded to a tropical depression six hours later when the center separated from diminishing convection. The storm was forecast to re-intensify slightly over the next five days while drifting to the east-northeast.4

On October 17, the storm was upgraded to a tropical storm when the low became associated with deep convection.5 The center remained poorly defined, and winds of tropical-storm force blew only in Kiko's southwest quadrant. Kiko was still influenced by strong easterly shear as well as weak steering currents. Over the next few days, Kiko moved slowly towards the east-northeast as a minimal tropical storm and was forecast to either brush land or to make landfall along the Mexican coast on October 19 or October 20.6 However, early on October 19, Kiko turned to the northwest when a high-pressure ridge developed over Mexico.1 Forecasters predicted that the storm would become a strong Category 1 hurricane as it turned away from Mexico and headed to sea.7

As the ridge pushed the storm away from the coast, weaker wind shear and warm sea-surface temperatures allowed Kiko to gradually intensify. The storm reached its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) 991 mbar (hPa; 29.28 inHg) late on October 20 while located around 175 mi (280 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. As it moved away from the coast, an eye began to form.18 Shortly thereafter, shear picked up and began to separate the low from the deep convection.9 By the afternoon of October 21, the storm was poorly organized and the center was partially exposed. At this time, the weakening system had winds sustained at 50 mph (85 km/h).10 Early on October 22, a brief burst in showers and thunderstorms allowed the storm to maintain its intensity.11 However, increasing wind shear blew away the convection causing the storm to weaken.12 That evening, Kiko was downgraded to a tropical depression as strong wind shear removed convection from the storm's center and exposed the low.13 As the depression moved over a dryer and more hostile area, two inhibiting factors for development of tropical cyclones, it slowly weakened.1 It lost almost all convection and degenerated to a remnant low-pressure area on October 23, and the National Hurricane Center issued its final advisory that night.14 The remnant low moved west before dissipating on October 27 over open waters.1

Preparations, impact, and naming

Tropical Storm Kiko's projected path on October 18, showing the storm striking the Mexican coast

On October 18, a tropical storm warning was issued along the Mexican coastline from Zihuatanejo, Guerrero to Manzanillo, Colima, and a tropical storm watch extended northward to La Fortuna, Mexico, as Kiko was forecast to make landfall in that region on October 21. Above-normal tides and dangerous waves were expected along the coast.15 Rainfall totals of 4 in (100 mm) to 7 in (180 mm) were possible over southwestern Mexico with isolated totals reaching 10 in (250 mm). As a precaution, port captains shut down shipping and advised residents to avoid low-lying areas that might flood.116 Civil Defense advised these residents to move to temporary shelters and tourists were told to stay indoors.17 Emergency procedures were on standby in case conditions became more threatening.18

As the storm neared land, a ridge over Mexico prevented Kiko from coming ashore, resulting in far less damage than forecast.1 As Kiko traveled parallel to the coast, heavy rain affected the region for two days.1619 In Kiko's rough seas off the coast of Mexico, a ship capsized with 25 passengers and crew. Only two people survived; 15 bodies were recovered, and nine passengers were never found.20 Despite the fatalities associated with the capsized ship, the name Kiko was not retired and is included on the list of names for the 2013 Pacific hurricane season.1

When Tropical Depression Fifteen-E was upgraded to Tropical Storm Kiko on October 16, it was the fourth time that the name was used for a tropical cyclone in the eastern Pacific basin. The name Kiko was submitted by the World Meteorological Organization in 1979 after the list of names was changed to include male names.21 The name was previously used for a tropical cyclone in 1983, 1989, and in 2001.22

See also

Tropical cyclones portal

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Michelle Mainelli (2007-11-18). "Tropical Storm Kiko Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  2. ^ Rhome (2007-10-14). "Tropical Depression 15-E Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  3. ^ Avila (2007-10-16). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 7". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  4. ^ Avila (2007-10-16). "Tropical Depression Kiko Discussion Number 8". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  5. ^ Pasch (2007-10-17). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 10". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-09-16.
  6. ^ Pasch (2007-10-18). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 14". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  7. ^ Blake/Avila (2007-10-18). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 17". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  8. ^ Beven (2007-10-20). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 24". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  9. ^ Rhome (2007-10-21). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 27". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-11-22.
  10. ^ Rhome (2007-10-21). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 28". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-11-22.
  11. ^ Franklin (2007-10-22). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 30". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-11-22.
  12. ^ Rhome (2007-10-22). "Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 31". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-11-22.
  13. ^ Rhome (2007-10-22). "Tropical Depression Kiko Discussion Number 32". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  14. ^ Mainelli (2007-10-23). "Tropical Depression Kiko Discussion Number 36". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  15. ^ Beven (2007-10-18). "Tropical Storm Kiko Public Advisory Number 15". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-07-28.
  16. ^ a b (Spanish) Lazaro Cardenas, Mich. (2007-10-21). "‘Kiko’ toma fuerza, podría convertirse en huracán". Correo. Retrieved on 2008-08-04.
  17. ^ (Spanish) AGI (2007-10-19). "Alerta Segob sobre intensificación de tormenta tropical "Kiko"". Reuters. Retrieved on 2008-11-17.
  18. ^ (Spanish) Agencies/Mexico City DF. (2007-10-22). "La tormenta tropical ‘Kiko’ pierde intensidad". El Siglo de torreón. Retrieved on 2008-11-17.
  19. ^ Brent Jones (2007-10-22). "Western Mexico Braces for Tropical Storm Kiko". The Associated Press. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  20. ^ Staff Writer (2007-10-21). "Fifteen dead, 9 missing as boat sinks". Agence France-Presse. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.
  21. ^ World Meteorological Organization (2007-09-23). "Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-11-11.
  22. ^ National Hurricane Center (2008). "Eastern Pacific Best Tracks, 1949-2007". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-11-02.

External links

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