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Tropical Storm Javier
Tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS)
Tropical Storm Javier at peak intensity
FormedSeptember 6, 1998
DissipatedSeptember 14, 1998
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 60 mph (95 km/h)
Lowest pressure995 mbar (hPa); 29.38 inHg
Fatalities162 confirmed, 1,000 reported
Damage$1.5 billion (1998 USD)
Areas affectedMexico
Part of the 1998 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Javier was one of the deadliest and costliest tropical cyclones to develop within the eastern Pacific basin with officials confirming 162 fatalities and unofficial reports of more than 1,000 deaths.

Meteorological history[edit]

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Javier is believed to have originated from a tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa on August 22. A convective disturbance along the northern portion of the wave developed into Atlantic Hurricane Danielle on August 24, while the southern portion of the wave axis continued westward. The wave remained inactive and difficult to track as it crossed the Atlantic. On September 3, an area of convection began to develop near Acapulco, at the same time and location where the wave would have been based on extrapolation. The disturbance became better defined on September 5 as it tracked west-northwestward, and on September 6 the convection became sufficiently organized and persistent for the National Hurricane Center to classify it as Tropical Depression Eleven-E, while it was located about 200 miles (330 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[1]

Easterly wind shear initially dislocated the circulation center to the eastern edge of the convection. The subtropical ridge to its north resulted in a general west-northwest motion,[2] and the depression slowly intensified into Tropical Storm Javier late on September 7. Banding features in the system did not organize significantly, and on September 8, Javier attained a peak intensity of 60 mph (95 km/h), which coincided with a sharp increase in convection over the center. Steering currents soon weakened, and the storm turned to the east while convection quickly decreased. By September 9, the center was exposed from the diminishing deep convection, and that night it degenerated into a tropical depression. On September 11, the National Hurricane Center issued its final advisory on Javier, though later analysis indicates that it remained a tropical cyclone as it turned southeastward. At times, it became difficult to distinguish Javier from the broader area of disturbed weather that persisted over the tropical eastern Pacific, though a brief increase in convection and a ship report of winds exceeding 40 mph (65 km/h) indicate that Javier strengthened again into a tropical storm late on September 12. It turned to the northeast, and reached winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) before weakening due to waning convection. Javier made landfall about 35 miles (55 km) east-southeast of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco early on September 14, and dissipated within 12 hours of moving ashore.[1]

Preparations and impact[edit]

The National Hurricane Center advised small craft along coastal areas of Mexico to monitor the progress of the storm.[1] Javier produced moderate rainfall along coastal regions of Mexico, including a 24-hour peak of 7.36 inches (187 mm) in Colima, 6.69 inches (170 mm) in Michoacán, and 3.34 inches (85 mm) in Jalisco. Puerto Vallarta reported the highest total rainfall, at 17.33 inches (440 mm).[3] At least 162 people were killed by flash flooding and mudslides caused by Javier.[4][5] Unofficial reports indicate that upwards of 1,000 people were killed by the storm, making Javier one of the deadliest tropical cyclones to form in the basin.[4][6] At least 450,000 people were left homeless and damages from the storm amounted to $1.5 billion.[4]

Aftermath[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Edward N. Rappaport (1999). "Tropical Storm Javier Preliminary Report". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
  2. ^ Pasch (1998). "Tropical Depression Eleven Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
  3. ^ Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (2007). Tropical Storm Javier. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
  4. ^ a b c Staff Writer (September 23, 1998). "Political Parties Seek to Postpone October Elections in Chiapas Because of Severe Storm Damage". Latin American Data Base/Latin American Institute. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  5. ^ Staff Writer (September 11, 1998). "Earthweek: A Diary of the Planet". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 24, 2009.
  6. ^ Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (1998). "Tormenta Tropical "Javier" del Océano Pacífico" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2007-02-13.

External links[edit]