Tropical Storm Alma (2008)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Alma
Type=Tropical storm
Year=2008
Basin=EPac
Image location=Alma 29 May 2008.jpg


Formed=May 29, 2008
Dissipated=May 30, 2008
1-min winds=55
Pressure=994
Da

Fatalities=2 direct, 7 indirect
Areas=Central America
Hurricane season=2008 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Alma of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season was the easternmost forming Pacific tropical cyclone on record. It formed within the monsoon trough just off the coast of Costa Rica on May 29. Initially forecast to remain a weak tropical storm, the cyclone rapidly strengthened and developed an eye before making landfall near León, Nicaragua with peak winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). Alma was the first tropical storm on record to strike Pacific coast of Nicaragua. In Costa Rica, heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides, leaving at least 42,000 people without power. Three people were killed in Nicaragua, one from drowning and two others from electrocution. Five others died in Honduras from an aviation accident likely related to the storm and one other was swept away in floodwaters. Damage was estimated at $33 million (USD). Alma was the first tropical storm to make landfall along the Pacific coast of Central America since the 1949 Pacific Hurricane Season .

Meteorological history

Toward the end of May 2008, computer hurricane models forecast the development of a broad low pressure area to the southwest of Central America.cite web|author=Nelson|year=2008|title=May 26 Tropical Weather Discussion for the Eastern Pacific Ocean|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Pac-Dis/2008052603.AXPZ20] On May 26, a large trough extended from the southwestern Caribbean Sea across Costa Rica into the eastern Pacific Ocean, forming a broad low pressure area across the region.cite web|author=Berg|year=2008|title=May 26 Tropical Weather Discussion for the Atlantic Ocean|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2008052623.AXNT20] A scattered area of strong convection developed, partially in association with the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Located within an area of weak steering currents, the disturbance remained nearly stationary, and on May 27 its shower activity increased in organization. [cite web|author=Franklin/Landsea|year=2008|title=May 27 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-P/2008052717.ABPZ20] Initially the system consisted of several cyclonic swirls, of which the most pronounced one was located about 340 miles (550 km) west-southwest of San José, Costa Rica. [cite web|author=Nelson|year=2008|title=May 27 Tropical Weather Discussion for the Eastern Pacific Ocean|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Pac-Dis/2008052721.AXPZ20] The system gradually became better organized, and with a sufficiently well-developed circulation and convective structure, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) classified the system as Tropical Depression One-E at 0300 UTC on May 29, about 105 miles (165 km) west-northwest of Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica.cite web|author=Franklin/Rhome|year=2008|title=Tropical Depression One-E Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.001.shtml?]

With a mid-level ridge located in the Gulf of Mexico, the depression drifted generally northward through an area of warm water temperatures and low wind shear. Initially its convection was weak and confined to a few rainbands far from the center. As such, intensification was not expected beyond minimal tropical storm status. However, the system quickly developed intense thunderstorms near the center with increased banding in its southern semicircle, and at 1500 UTC on May 29 the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Alma, about 55 miles (85 km) southwest of Managua, Nicaragua. Its intensity was set at 45 mph (75 km/h), and the storm was forecast to intensity only slightly more before moving ashore. [cite web|author=Avila/Roberts|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.003.shtml?] However, one hour after it was upgraded to tropical storm status, the NHC re-assessed the intensity as 65 mph (100 km/h), citing updated observations from satellite imagery and QuikSCAT.cite web|author=Avila|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Special Discussion Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.004.shtml?] cite web|author=Brown|year=2008|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Alma|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-07-22|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-EP012008_Alma.pdf|] An eye feature formed, surrounded by a very tight ring of convection,cite web|author=Avila/Roberts|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.005.shtml?] and at around 1900 UTC on May 29 Alma made landfall near León, Nicaragua as a strong tropical storm.cite web|author=Avila/Roberts|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Public Advisory Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.public.005.shtml?] The storm quickly weakened after moving ashore, though a small area of thunderstorms persisted as it crossed into the mountainous region of southern Honduras.cite web|author=Knabb/Blake|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Discussion Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.006.shtml?] After passing near Tegucigalpa Alma weakened to tropical depression status, [cite web|author=Beven|year=2008|title=Tropical Depression Alma Discussion Seven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.007.shtml?] and at 1500 UTC on May 30 the cyclone dissipated near the border of Honduras and Guatemala. [cite web|author=Avila|year=2008|title=Tropical Depression Alma Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.008.shtml?] On May 31, after crossing Central America, the remnants of Tropical Depression Alma, as a low pressure area, moved into the Gulf of Honduras and spawned Tropical Storm Arthur.cite web|author=Avila/Rhome|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Arthur Special Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-31|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/al01/al012008.discus.001.shtml?]

Preparations and impact

Coinciding with the first advisory on the depression, the government of Costa Rica issued a tropical storm warning for the entire Pacific coast of the country. [cite web|author=Franklin/Rhome|year=2008|title=Tropical Depression One-E Public Advisory One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.public.001.shtml?] About four hours prior to landfall, when Alma was named, a tropical storm warning was in effect for the entire coastlines of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador.cite web|author=Avila/Roberts|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Public Advisory Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.public.003.shtml?] When it was realized the storm was much stronger than previously thought, a hurricane warning was issued for the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras,cite web|author=Avila|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Special Public Advisory Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.public.004.shtml?] and Alma was forecast to attain hurricane status. Prior to moving ashore, the NHC warned that the storm could produce up to 20 inches (500 mm) of rainfall, resulting in mudslides and flash flooding. The National Emergency Commission of Costa Rica activated emergency shelters prior to the arrival of the storm; 250 people in Parrita evacuated from their homes.cite news|author=El País|date=2008-05-30|title=Alma deja un muerto y cientos de evacuados a su paso por Centroamérica|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/tormenta/Alma/deja/muerto/cientos/evacuados/paso/Centroamerica/elpepuint/20080530elpepuint_9/Tes|language=Spanish] In Nicaragua, officials evacuated about 5,000 people, while 3,000 troops were mobilized to assist in the aftermath of the storm.cite news|author=Filadelfo Aleman|date=2008-05-29|title=Tormenta tropical Alma golpea Centroamérica|publisher=El Nuevo Herald|accessdate=2008-05-29|language=Spanish|url=http://www.elnuevoherald.com/167/story/216695.html]

When Tropical Storm Alma made landfall it produced moderate to heavy rainfall across Central America. The city of David, Chiriquí in western Panama reported 5.75 inches (141 mm) of precipitation in 48 hours. Additionally, the capital city of San José, Costa Rica reported 3.07 inches (78 mm) of rainfall in a 48 hour period.cite web|author=Berg|year=2008|title=May 29 Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-29|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2008052923.AXNT20] In Costa Rica, the precipitation caused river flooding, threatening 17 communities. It also caused widespread mudslides, which closed at least eight roads. The storm downed trees and power lines, leaving about 42,000 people without electricity in the country.

In León near where it moved ashore in Nicaragua, the passage of Alma left the city without power. Several buildings were destroyed in the city, and some roads were damaged. Much of the departments of León and Chinandega experienced power outages, due to the strong winds. One person died from electrocution, due to a downed high-tension cable, and another person died in a similar manner.cite news|title=Tropical Storm Alma dies out over Central America|publisher=Reuters UK|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUKN30448773._CH_.242020080531|date=2008-05-31|accessdate=2008-05-31] Offshore, one person drowned when he rode out the storm in his boat. [cite news|author=Agence France-Presse|date=2008-05-29|title=Un muerto y daños por paso de tormenta "Alma"|accessdate=2008-05-30|url=http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/nacionales/17054] In Tegucigalpa, TACA Flight 390 skidded off a runway sodden by torrential rain, killing three passengers (plus two more on the ground) and injuring over eighty. One other fatality was reported in Honduras when a young girl was swept away in a raging stream.

Damages in Costa Rica are estimated at over $30 million (USD) [ [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6423410.html Tropical storm "Alma" causes over $30 mln of damage in Costa Rica - People's Daily Online ] ] . Total damage was estimated at about $33 million (USD).

Records

Forming at 86.5ºW, Alma developed further east than any other Pacific tropical cyclone on record. Excluding systems crossing in from the Atlantic, only seven other systems, Francesca in 1970, Bridget and Priscilla in 1971, Jimena in 1979, Paul in 1982, Cristina in 1996, and Rosa in 2000, developed east of 90ºW.cite web|author=Hurricane Research Division|year=2008|title=Eastern North Pacific Tracks File 1949-2007|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] Alma made landfall further east than any other Pacific tropical cyclone, and it was the only to do so on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. When the storm formed on May 29, it marked the ninth year in a row when a Pacific tropical cyclone formed in May, which was the most consecutive years in which storms formed in May. Alma's remnants contributed to the formation of Tropical Storm Arthur in the Atlantic; although not strictly speaking the same cyclone due to the former's circulation dissipating, Alma is the most recent eastern Pacific tropical cyclone to in any sense cross into the Atlantic; the last time that happened was in 1989, when the remnants of Hurricane Cosme later became Tropical Storm Allison in June.cite web|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E15.html|author=Stephen Caparotta, D. Walston, Steven Yound, & Gary Padgett|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-05-31|title=Subject: E15) What tropical storms and hurricanes have moved from the Atlantic to the Northeast Pacific or vice versa?]

ee also

* List of Pacific hurricanes

References