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Hurricane Linda (1997)

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This article is about the Pacific hurricane of 1997; for other storms of the same name, see Tropical Storm Linda
Hurricane Linda
Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Linda near peak intensity.
FormedSeptember 9, 1997
DissipatedSeptember 17, 1997
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 185 mph (295 km/h)
Lowest pressure902 mbar (hPa); 26.64 inHg
(East Pacific record)
FatalitiesNone
Damage$3.2 million (1997 USD)
Areas affectedOpen Pacific Ocean waters, Socorro Island, California
Part of the 1997 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Linda was a tropical cyclone of the 1997 Pacific hurricane season. It was the strongest hurricane ever observed in the North Eastern Pacific Ocean, with sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h), gusts to 220 mph (355 km/h), and a central pressure of 902 mbar. Linda was part of an abnormally active season for both the Eastern and Western Pacific Basins. The powerful system had little impact on the mainland, although it did pass directly over Socorro Island.

Storm history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  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

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 24. It moved across the unfavorable Atlantic Ocean without development. As it crossed Central America convection increased, and a poorly-defined center developed early on September 9. Banding and convection increased, and it became a tropical depression that night, 460 miles (740 km) south of the Mexican port of Manzanillo, Colima.[1]

Tropical Depression 14-E continued northwestward, and became a tropical storm on September 10. Linda started to intensify more quickly, becoming a hurricane the next day, 545 miles (880 km) south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California. After 30 hours of rapidly intensifying, Linda reached its peak with 185 mph (295 km/h) winds on September 12. Linda moved directly over Socorro Island that same day as a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Over the next few days, cooler waters weakened the storm greatly, and Linda dissipated on September 17.[1]

Preparations

At one point on September 13, some computer models were predicting that the hurricane would recurve and make landfall in California. A trough was located in the vicinity of the hurricane. Winds caused by that trough would have recurved the hurricane towards southern California.[2] Due to the possible threat, some media sources indicated that hurricane conditions would affect southern California. However, the National Weather Service in Oxnard, California issued a statement that stressed the uncertainty of the hurricane's path. The statement also indicated the main threat to be rainfall and rough seas.[3]

The large waves caused by Hurricane Linda also resulted in flood warnings being issued for part of the Mexican coast.[4]

Impact

Hurricane Linda near peak intensity

Hurricane Linda never came near mainland North America. It did pass over Socorro Island on September 12, where it cut power to meteorological instruments.[1] Large waves caused by the system caused minor flooding in the Mexican states of Michoacán, Nayarit, Jalisco, and Sinaloa. Those waves also caused hotels and resorts to close in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, La Paz, San Carlos, and Puerto Vallarta.[5]

The hurricane also produced strong waves of up to 15 feet (5 m) in height along the coast of California.[6] These waves swept five people off of a jetty in Newport Beach. The people were rescued and one was badly injured.[1] Moisture from Linda, which contributed to hourly rates of 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) in Forest Falls, caused severe flooding and mudslides in southern California. One mudslide destroyed two houses and damaged 77. Damage totaled to $3.2 million (1997 USD, $3.8 million 2005 USD).[6]

Because Linda did little or no damage due to it remaining over open waters, the name was not retired by the World Meteorological Organization. It was used again during the 2003 season. It is scheduled to be used again during the 2009 Pacific hurricane season.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Max Mayfield (1997-10-25). "Linda report". Retrieved 2006-03-22.
  2. ^ Jack Williams (2005-05-17). "Hurricane Linda". USA Today. Retrieved 2006-03-22.
  3. ^ National Weather Service (1997). "Hurricane Linda NWS Statement". Retrieved 2006-07-14.
  4. ^ "Hurricane Linda rumbles off S. California coast". CNN. 1997-09-14. Retrieved 2006-03-22.
  5. ^ "Hurricane Linda weakens, may be headed for California". CNN. 1997-09-13. Retrieved 2006-03-22.
  6. ^ a b National Weather Service (2004). "A History of Significant Local Weather Effects for San Diego" (PDF). Retrieved 2006-07-14.
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