Tropical Storm Lester (2004)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Tropical Storm Lester
Basin=EPac
Type=tropical storm
Image location=Tropical Storm Lester (2004).jpg


Formed=October 11, 2004
Dissipated=October 13, 2004
1-min winds=45
Pressure=1000
Fatalities=None reported
Areas=Southwestern Mexico
Hurricane season=2004 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Lester was a weak tropical storm that paralleled the Mexican coastline in October 2004. The 16th tropical cyclone and 12th named storm of the 2004 Pacific hurricane season, Lester originated from an area of disturbed weather that persisted southwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. After organizing, the system was designated as a tropical depression on October 11. The depression was upgraded to a tropical storm the next day, and moved northwestward, just off the Mexican coastline. Due to the interaction with land among other factors, the storm degenerated on October 13. The storm dropped locally heavy rainfall, which caused minor flooding and mudslides. No fatalities or significant damage were reported.

Meteorological history

By October 10, 2004, an area of disturbed weather was situated well to the southwest of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Later that day, a surface low pressure system developed, and convection began to organize into slightly curved bands. The disturbance continued to in this manner, and at 1800 UTC on October 11, the low level circulation had become sufficiently organized to be designated as a tropical depression.cite web|author=Richard J. Pasch and David P. Roberts|title=Tropical Storm Lester Tropical Cyclone Report|year=2004|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-09-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-EP152004_Lester.pdf|format=PDF] At the time, the depression comprised of a well-defined circulation, with some deep thunderstorm activity. Despite weak steering currents, the system started what was initially thought to be a westward drift, [cite web|author=Mainelli & Pasch|title=Tropical Depression Fifteen-E Discussion Number 1|year=2004|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-09-24|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep152004.discus.001.shtml?] though just a few hours later was found to be towards the northwest. A small cyclone, a burst of deep convection formed at around the same time, and was said could have produced tropical storm-force winds. [cite web|author=Stewart|title=Tropical Depression Fifteen-E Discussion Number 2|year=2004|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-09-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep152004.discus.002.shtml?]

Continuing its slow, northwestward track under the weal steering currents of a weak mid-level ridge to its north, and a broad cyclonic circulation to its southwest, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Lester at 1800 UTC on October 12. Originally, it was unclear whether the center of circulation would remain slightly offshore, or move inland. [cite web|author=Pasch|title=Tropical Storm Lester Discussion Number 5|year=2004|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-09-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep152004.discus.005.shtml?] Due to the presence of a weak upper-level anticyclone that was centered just east of the system, favorable atmospheric conditions for strengthening prevailed, and the storm reached its peak intensity with winds of convert|50|mph|km/h|abbr=on about 6–12 hours after being upgraded to a tropical storm. Early on October 13, radar imagery from Acapulco, Mexico indicated that Lester remained a small and well-organized cyclone as it passed just offshore. At the same time, light southwesterly wind shear began to develop. [cite web|author=Beven|title=Tropical Storm Lester Discussion Number 7|year=2004|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-09-25|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep152004.discus.007.shtml?] The interaction with land, combined with influence from the low to the southwest, started to weaken the storm, and it was downgraded to a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on October 13. By later that day, reports from a Air Force Reserve Unit Hurricane Hunter Aircraft indicated that the cyclone had degenerated into a trough on the northeastern side of the larger low to the southwest.

Preparations and impact

On October 12, in response to Lester, the Mexican government issued a tropical storm watch for the coast between Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo. It was upgraded to a warning later that day. It was extended to Lázaro Cárdenas on October 13. Later that day, the warning was lifted when Lester dissipated. Lester brought rains to parts of Oaxaca and Guerrero, reaching convert|3|to|5|in|mm. The highest 24-hour total peaked at convert|106.5|mm|in|abbr=on, recorded on October 12. [cite web|author=|title=Tropical storm "Lester" Pacific Ocean|year=2004|publisher=SMN|accessdate=2008-09-25|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo2004/pacifico/lester/lester.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=3&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DLluvia%2Btropical%2Bde%2BTormenta%2BLester%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG] Localized flooding was likely caused by the storm, though no reports of deaths were received by the National Hurricane Center. However, the storm capsized two ships, and washed two more ashore. The heavy rain caused mudslides, which buried one man in his home; he was later rescued by his family. In and around the port of Acapulco, about 14 trees were downed, and minor pooling of water was reported.cite web|author=Amado Ramirez|title=Raging storm 'Lester' to Guerrero|year=2004|publisher=Noticieros Televisa|accessdate=2008-09-25|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/mexico/398233.html&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/mexico/398233.html%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG]

Because the damage was not severe, the name "Lester" was not retired, and is scheduled to be used once again in the 2010 Pacific hurricane season.cite web|title=Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names|year=2007|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-09-13|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml]

ee also

*List of Pacific hurricanes
*
*Other tropical cyclones named Lester

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004lester.shtml Tropical Cyclone Report]