tropical storm (SSHWS/NWS) | |
![]() Tropical Storm Aletta on June 18 | |
Formed | June 16, 1988 |
---|---|
Dissipated | June 21, 1988 |
Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 70 mph (110 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 992 mbar (hPa); 29.29 inHg |
Areas affected | Southern Mexico |
Part of the 1988 Pacific hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Aletta was a short-lived tropical storm that threatened Mexico during June 1988. A tropical depression formed on June 16 and strengthened into Tropical Storm Aletta several hours later. The storm gradually became better organized as it paralleled the Mexican coast. After peaking as a high-end tropical storm, Aletta began to weaken. Initially forecast to move ashore, it approached Acapulco but did not make landfall. Aletta weakened into a tropical depression on June 19, and dissipated two days later. Rains along the coast was heavy, and some damage was recorded. One person was killed.
Meteorological history
editTropical 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
Aletta originated from a tropical wave that exited the coast of Africa and progressed westward through the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, before crossing over Central America on June 13 and emerging into the warm waters of the east Pacific on June 14. Shortly after, satellite imagery showed good upper-level outflow, although cloud banding remained disorganized. On June 16, the broad circulation better organized on the northeast quadrant; subsequently, the low developed deep convection. A tropical depression formed later that day about 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Acapulco. It gradually intensified as it moved northward toward the southwest coast of Mexico, and had organized enough to be named Tropical Storm Aletta on June 17.[1]
Continuing to organize, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) soon reported that the winds had increased to 50 mph (80 km/h)*.[2] The cyclone drifted north-northwest for the next 36 hours before turning westward, parallel to the Mexican coast.[1] Meanwhile, the storm peaked as a strong tropical storm.[3] By June 18, the storm began to become less organized.[4] Initially expected to continue northward and move inalnd and dissipate within two days,[5] Tropical Storm Aletta came within 75 mi (120 km)* of the coastline.[1] After turning west,[3] the storm began to lose its convection on June 19 and weakened into a tropical depression later that day. All that was soon left of the system was a swirl of clouds and a weak low-level circulation before dissipating on 1500 UTC June 21.[1] Bulletins on the storm were subsequently discontinued as it became devoid of significant deep convection.[6]
Preparations and Impact
editWhen Aletta first posed a threat to the coast, the Government of Mexico began issuing advisories for marine interests and coastal residents.[7] Although Aletta approached the Acapulco area of the Mexican coast, it did not make landfall. Aletta brought heavy rains to the coast of Mexico; unofficial reports state that one person died as a result of the storm, and some damage was reported due to rainfall and flooding.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Harold P. Gerrish (1988). Tropical Storm Aletta Preliminary Report Page 1. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
- ^ James M. Gross (June 17, 1988). Tropical Storm Aletta Discussion 3. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ a b National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Central Pacific Hurricane Center (April 26, 2024). "The Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database 1949–2023". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. A guide on how to read the database is available here. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Harold P. Gerrish (June 18, 1988). Tropical Storm Aletta Discussion 6. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ Robert Case (June 19, 1988). Tropical Storm Aletta Discussion 8. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ Max Mayfield (June 21, 1988). Tropical Storm Aletta Discussion 20. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ James M. Gross (June 17, 1988). Tropical Storm Aletta Public Advisory 3. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ Harold P. Gerrish (1988). Tropical Storm Aletta Preliminary Report Page 2. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Report). United States National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 5, 2012.