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Revision as of 15:32, 25 October 2023

For other storms of the same name, see List of storms named Otis.
Template:Infobox weather event/CurrentTemplate:Infobox weather event/live
Hurricane Otis
Satellite image of Hurricane Otis
Satellite image
 Forecast map for Hurricane Otis
Forecast map
Part of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season
See more detailed information

Hurricane Otis is a weakening tropical cyclone over the Mexican state of Guerrero, which recently made landfall near Acapulco as a Category 5 hurricane and became the strongest landfalling Pacific hurricane on record. The fifteenth tropical storm, tenth hurricane, eighth major hurricane,[nb 1] and second Category 5 hurricane of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season, Otis originated from a disturbance several hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

Meteorological 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

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) first noted on October 15 that an area of low pressure was expected to form south of Guatemala and El Salvador by the middle of the week.[2] A broad low-pressure area formed several hundred miles south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on October 18 and was generating disorganized thunderstorms.[3] The system increased in organization over the next few days, becoming a tropical depression at 15:00 UTC on October 22. At that time, the depression had strong, increasing convective activity near its well-defined center.[4] Six hours later, the depression became a tropical storm and received the name Otis following a slight increase in organization. The nascent storm was moving slowly northward as it was located within a light steering flow between a low-pressure trough to its northwest and a high-pressure ridge to its northeast.[5] Overnight, deep convection pulsed on the northwestern portion of the circulation with the center becoming more embedded in the colder cloud tops.[6] However, this convective trend plateaued in the early hours of October 23 due to easterly wind shear, which hindered further organization and left the center partially exposed.[7] By 03:00 UTC on October 24, microwave satellite imagery depicted a low-level ring structure in the 37 GHz channel, despite the overall sheared appearance of the system. The NHC noted the imagery as possible evidence for an imminent rapid intensification event.[8]

Pacific hurricanes with a wind speed of 140 mph (220 km/h) or higher at landfall
Hurricane Season Wind speed Ref.
Otis 2023 160 mph (260 km/h) [9]
Patricia 2015 150 mph (240 km/h) [10]
Madeline 1976 145 mph (230 km/h) [11]
Iniki 1992 [12]
Twelve 1957 140 mph (220 km/h) [13]
"Mexico" 1959 [13]
Kenna 2002 [14]
Lidia 2023 [15]

By the morning of October 24 Otis was organizing with an uptick in convective vigor and expansion of cirrus outflow. Explosive intensification commenced, enabled by lessening of southeasterly wind shear and warm ocean surface temperatures of 84–88 °F (29–31 °C).[16] On visible satellite imagery an eye became apparent, embedded in deep convection and Otis reached Category 3 status by 21:00 UTC October 24. This upgrade was based on measurements by a Air Force Reserve Unit Hurricane Hunter mission. These measurements indicated Otis was undergoing explosive intensification, with the central surface pressure dropping 10 millibars (0.30 inHg) between passes.[17] The NHC continued to observe increasing organization of the hurricane on satellite imagery throughout the day, with no signs of the intensification abating. At 03:00 UTC October 25, the NHC upgraded Otis to a Category 5 hurricane. In 24 hours, Otis had intensified from a 50 mph (85 km/h) tropical storm to a 160 mph (260 km/h) Category 5 hurricane, an increase of 110 mph (175 km/h), second only to Hurricane Patricia as the largest 24-hour increase on record in the Eastern Pacific.[18] Despite this, the extreme intensification was almost entirely unforeseen: just 24 hours before Otis reached Category 5, the NHC forecast a peak intensity of only 70 mph (110 km/h).[8] After becoming a Category 5 hurricane, Otis strengthened slightly, and at 06:25 UTC on October 25, Otis made landfall near Acapulco at peak intensity with winds of 165 mph (270 km/h) and a central pressure of 923 mb (27.26 inHg),[19] becoming the first Pacific hurricane on record to make landfall at Category 5 intensity, thus surpassing Patricia as the strongest landfalling Pacific hurricane.

Current storm information

As of 7:00 a.m. CDT (12:00 UTC) October 25, Hurricane Otis is located within 25 nautical miles of 17°42′N 100°18′W / 17.7°N 100.3°W / 17.7; -100.3 (Otis), about 60 miles (95 km) north-northwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Maximum sustained winds are 110 mph (175 km/h). The minimum barometric pressure is 965 mbar (28.50 inHg), and the system is moving north-northwest at 10 mph (17 km/h). Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center, and tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km).

Watches and warnings

Template:HurricaneWarningsTable

Preparations and impact

Guerrero

A dire forecast discussion from the National Hurricane Center prior to landfall

In response to the approach of Hurricane Otis, the government of Guerrero began preparing 396 shelters to accommodate residents displaced by the heavy wind and storm surge damage. Mexico's army and navy sent 8,000 troops to support aid and rescue operations. Authorities in Guerrero closed Acapulco's main port.[20] Schools across Guerrero were to be closed ahead of Otis’ anticipated landfall.[21]

Power outages occurred across the state, and hospitals and hotels were affected, with reported damage.[22][23] 18 radio stations in Acapulco were down, and communication was cut off in the city.[24]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ A major hurricane is one that ranks at Category 3 or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale.[1]

References

  1. ^ "Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale". National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on June 20, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  2. ^ Zelinsky, David. Eastern Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook [500 PM PDT Sat Oct 14 2023] (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  3. ^ Berg, Robbie. Eastern Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook [500 AM PDT Wed Oct 18 2023] (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  4. ^ Cangialosi, John; Bucci, Lisa. Tropical Depression Eighteen-E Discussion Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  5. ^ Cangialosi, John; Bucci, Lisa. Tropical Storm Otis Discussion Number 2 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  6. ^ Brown, Daniel. Tropical Storm Otis Discussion Number 4 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  7. ^ Cangialosi, John; Delgado. Tropical Storm Otis Discussion Number 5 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  8. ^ a b Blake, Eric. Tropical Storm Otis Discussion Number 7 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  9. ^ Brown, Daniel; Kelly, Larry (October 25, 2023). Hurricane Otis Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  10. ^ Kimberlain, Todd B.; Blake, Eric S.; Cangialosi, John P. (February 1, 2016). Hurricane Patricia (PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  11. ^ Gunther, Emil B. (April 1977). "Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1976". Monthly Weather Review. 105 (4). Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center: 508–522. Bibcode:1977MWRv..105..508G. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1977)105<0508:EPTCO>2.0.CO;2. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  12. ^ The 1992 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season (PDF) (Report). Honolulu, Hawaii: Central Pacific Hurricane Center. 1993. Retrieved November 24, 2003.
  13. ^ a b Blake, Eric S; Gibney, Ethan J; Brown, Daniel P; Mainelli, Michelle; Franklin, James L; Kimberlain, Todd B; Hammer, Gregory R (2009). Tropical Cyclones of the Eastern North Pacific Basin, 1949-2006 (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  14. ^ Franklin, James L. (December 26, 2002). Hurricane Kenna (PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  15. ^ Bucci, Lisa; Brown, Daniel (October 10, 2023). Hurricane Lidia Intermediate Advisory Number 31A (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  16. ^ Brown, Daniel. Tropical Storm Otis Discussion Number 8 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  17. ^ Pasch, Richard. Hurricane Otis Discussion Number 10 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  18. ^ Blake, Eric (October 24, 2023). Hurricane Otis Advisory Number 12 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  19. ^ Brown, Daniel; Kelly, Larry (October 25, 2023). Hurricane Otis Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  20. ^ Rivera, Jose (2023-10-24). "Hurricane Otis rapidly grows into Category 4 storm off Mexico's Pacific coast heading for Acapulco". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  21. ^ Verdin, Javier (2023-10-24). "Hurricane Otis set to hit Mexico's Acapulco as Category 5 storm". Reuters. Thomson Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  22. ^ Herrera, Olivia Vázquez; Tinoco Morales, Omar; Tapia Sandoval, Anayeli (October 23, 2023). "Huracán Otis se degrada a categoría 4 aún sobre Acapulco, Guerrero | EN VIVO". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  23. ^ Armstrong, Kathryn (October 25, 2023). "Hurricane Otis makes landfall in Mexico". BBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  24. ^ Taylor, Derrick Bryson (October 25, 2023). "Hurricane Otis: Otis Makes Landfall Near Acapulco as 'Catastrophic' Hurricane". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
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