Tropical Storm Norman (2006)

Infobox Hurricane
Name= Tropical Storm Norman
Basin = EPac
Year = 2006
Type=Tropical storm
Image location=TS Norman 09 oct 2006 1849Z.jpg


Formed=October 9, 2006
Dissipated=October 15, 2006
1-min winds=45
Pressure=1000
Da

Fatalities=None reported
Areas=Southwestern Mexico
Hurricane season= 2006 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Norman was a weak tropical cyclone that brought heavy rainfall to southwestern Mexico in October 2006. The twelfth named storm of the 2006 Pacific hurricane season, Norman developed on October 9 from a tropical wave well to the southwest of Mexico. Unfavorable conditions quickly encountered the system, and within two days of forming, Norman dissipated as its remnants turned to the east. Thunderstorms gradually increased again, as it interacted with a disturbance to its east, and on October 15 the cyclone regenerated just off the coast of Mexico. The center became disorganized and quickly dissipated, bringing a large area of moisture which dropped up to 6 inches (150 mm) of rainfall to southwestern Mexico. Rainfall from the storm flooded about 150 houses, of which 20 were destroyed. One person was injured, and initially there were reports of two people missing due to the storm; however, it was not later confirmed.

Meteorological history

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on September 21, moving across the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea with little development. On October 1 it entered the eastern Pacific Ocean, and continuing westward it developed an area of persistent convection on October 5.cite web|author=Jack Beven|date=2006-11-30|title=Tropical Storm Norman Tropical Cyclone Report|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-EP152006_Norman.pdf|format=PDF] Initially the system was disorganized, although gradual development was expected as conditions in the upper-levels of the atmosphere were expected to become more favorable. [cite web|author=Blake/Pasch|date=2006-10-06|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-29|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-P/2006100622.ABPZ20] On October 7 it developed a broad low pressure area, [cite web|author=Blake/Pasch|date=2006-10-06|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-29|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-P/2006100716.ABPZ20] and by the next day it was located in the eastern portion of a large area of disturbed weather; the western portion of the system later developed into Tropical Storm Olivia. The eastern system developed organized convection near its center, and developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen-E at 0000 UTC on October 9, about 765 mi (1235 km) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.

Upon first becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression was moving north-northwestward, around the western periphery of a weak ridge; the first forecast advisory by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast the depression to gradually intensify before weakening and crossing the Baja California Peninsula.cite web|author=Rhome/Pasch|date=2006-10-09|title=Tropical Depression Fifteen Special Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep15/ep152006.discus.001.shtml?] Located over warm water temperatures, the system developed an area of organized, deep convection near the center; with satellite intensity estimates of tropical storm force using the Dvorak technique, the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Norman about 12 hours after it first formed. [cite web|author=James Franklin|date=2006-10-09|title=Tropical Storm Norman Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep15/ep152006.discus.003.shtml?] Strengthening continued, and Norman attained peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) early on October 10. At the time, it was officially forecast to strengthen further and continue northeastward. However, some hurricane prediction models anticipated quick weakening and a sharp turn to the southeast. [cite web|author=Rhome/Pasch|date=2006-10-09|title=Tropical Storm Norman Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep15/ep152006.discus.005.shtml?] Shortly after peaking in intensity, southwesterly wind shear increased, which led to a decrease in convection coverage. At the same time, a trough extending from California southward caused Norman to stall and turn to the east. [cite web|author=Knabb/Willis|date=2006-10-09|title=Tropical Storm Norman Discussion Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep15/ep152006.discus.006.shtml?] The convection rapidly became separated from the center; by late on October 10, the center was located about 115 miles (185 km) from the nearest thunderstorms. By then, it had weakened to tropical depression status, [cite web|author=Roberts/Franklin|date=2006-10-09|title=Tropical Depression Norman Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep15/ep152006.discus.008.shtml?] and early on October 11 Norman degenerated into a remnant low about 530 miles (855 km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The remnants of Norman continued to the east, and later to the east-southeast as it interacted with a tropical disturbance off the coast of Mexico. Initially, re-development of Norman was not expected, as the disturbance was instead given the possibility for further development. [cite web|author=Stacy Stewart|date=2006-10-12|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-29|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-P/2006101210.ABPZ20] On October 13, the NHC noted that the remnants of Norman were merging with the disturbance to its east; [cite web|author=Mainelli/Beven|date=2006-10-13|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-29|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-P/2006101310.ABPZ20] during the interaction, convection redeveloped and organized around the remnant low of Norman, and early on October 15 it reformed into a tropical depression, near the coast of southwestern Mexico. With warm waters and favorable upper-level conditions, Norman was predicted to re-attain tropical storm status before moving ashore. [cite web|author=Richard Pasch|date=2006-10-09|title=Tropical Depression Norman Discussion Ten|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep15/ep152006.discus.010.shtml?] However, the center quickly became less-organized, [cite web|author=Brown/Knabb|date=2006-10-09|title=Tropical Depression Norman Discussion Eleven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2008-08-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/ep15/ep152006.discus.011.shtml?] turning northward and northwestward within the larger tropical disturbance. Late on October 15, it is estimated Tropical Depression Norman dissipated 23 miles (37 km) south and offshore of Manzanillo, Colima, although satellite imagery suggested the center may have dissipated inland.

Preparations and impact

When Norman redeveloped into a tropical cyclone, the government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Lázaro Cárdenas to Cabo Corrientes.

The storm brought heavy rainfall to southwestern Mexico, peaking at 6.35 inches (161 mm) in La Villita, Michoacán. [cite web|author=Servicio Meteorológico Nacional|year=2006|title=Resumen de la Tormenta Tropical "Norman" Del Océano Pacífico|accessdate=2008-08-31|format=PDF|url=http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo2006/pacifico/norman/norman.pdf] Flooding from four days of rainfall caused officials to close schools in and around Acapulco. The rainfall resulted in downed trees and mudslides. About 150 homes became flooded, resulting in military personnel to assist in evacuating the flooded houses. In total, 20 homes were destroyed, and 20 villages were left without power.cite news|author=La Journada|date=2006-10-17|title=Desbordan lluvias ríos en Guerrero|language=Spanish|accessdate=2008-08-31|url=http://www.elporvenir.com.mx/notas.asp?nota_id=91242] A transport vehicle carrying 15 people was swept away by a flooded stream, resulting in one injury; the truck was later rescued by police workers. About 300 hectares (740 acres) of crop fields sustained damage; however, little crop damage was reported, as the storm occurred after harvesting had ended.cite news|author=Juan Cervantes Gómez|publisher=El Universal|date=2006-10-16|title=Suspenden clases en Acapulco por tormenta tropical "Norman"|language=Spanish|accessdate=2008-08-31|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/381709.html] Across Mexico, the storm affected about 500,000 people, and initially there were two people missing; however, a subsequent report indicated there were casualties associated with the storm.

Due to little overall damage, the name was not retired, and the name "Norman" is scheduled to be used again for the 2012 season.

References

ee also

* 2006 Pacific hurricane season
* Other tropical cyclones named Norman

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2006/NORMAN.shtml The NHC's archive] on Tropical Storm Norman.