Tropical Storm Dolores
Tropical Storm Dolores at peak intensity on June 19, 2021.
Meteorological history
FormedJune 18, 2021
DissipatedJune 20, 2021
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds70 mph (110 km/h)
Lowest pressure989 mbar (hPa); 29.21 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities3 total
Damage$50 million
Areas affectedSouthwestern Mexico
IBTrACS / [1]
Part of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Dolores was a strong tropical storm that affected several states in southwestern Mexico in June 2021. The fourth named storm of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season, Dolores developed from a low-pressure area that formed offshore the state of Oaxaca on June 16, 2021. The low steadily developed organized deep convection and a closed surface circulation, becoming Tropical Depression Four-E around 06:00 UTC on June 18. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Dolores nine hours later. Gradually approaching the southwestern coast of Mexico, Dolores steadily intensified despite its close proximity to land. The storm reached peak intensity around 15:00 UTC on June 19 with maximum sustained winds of 70 miles per hour (115 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 989 millibars (29.2 inHg), just below hurricane strength. Shortly afterward, Dolores made landfall just northwest of Punta San Telmo, Mexico, near the Colima–Michoacán state border. The storm rapidly weakened as it moved inland and dissipated early on June 20 over the state of Zacatecas.

The precursor disturbance to Dolores and the Atlantic's Tropical Storm Claudette caused several days of heavy rainfall across southeastern Mexico and Central America. Tropical storm watches and warnings and a hurricane watch were issued along the southwestern coast of Mexico shortly after Dolores' upgrade to a tropical storm, from Nayarit southeastward to Michoacán. At least three people died in Mexico due to the storm, with two of the deaths occurring in Guerrero and the third in Jalisco. Total damage across Mexico was estimated at USD$50 million.[nb 1]

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

A convectively enhanced monsoon trough developed over the eastern Pacific Ocean in early June 2021, offshore the western coast of Central America. A tropical wave crossing Central America interacted with the trough, resulting in a broad circulation forming over the region by June 12. The northern part of this disturbed weather pattern moved north into the Gulf of Mexico, where it eventually developed into Tropical Storm Claudette. The southern portion produced a new low-pressure area over to the south of Mexico by June 16, and this new system started to produce a wide area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.[1][2] The disturbance organized little until early on June 18, when convection surrounding the system's center became more well-organized. Simultaneously, a closed surface circulation developed, signaling the development of a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC that day.[3] Expanding deep convection over the center of the depression, as well as increasing Dvorak classifications, resulted in its upgrade to a tropical storm at 15:00 UTC, where upon it was named Dolores.[4]

A large tropical storm, Dolores gradually intensified due to favorable environmental conditions for the remainder of the day, characterized by warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear. The cyclone also underwent a general north-northwestward motion as it rounded the western side of mid-level ridge.[5] Deep convection began to develop in more organized, large rainbands over Dolores's circulation around 09:00 UTC on June 19, and increased in coverage near the storm's center.[6] Dolores continued to become more organized as it neared the coastline of southwest Mexico, with a defined eye and almost closed eyewall developing. The storm reached peak intensity shortly before 15:00 UTC that day, with 1-minute sustained winds of 70 mph (115 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 990 millibars (29 inHg). Dolores made landfall just after reaching peak intensity near the border of the Mexican states of Colima and Michoacán, slightly northwest of the town of Punta San Telmo in the latter state.[7] Dolores rapidly weakened as it moved inland over western Mexico, due to the mountainous terrain of the area. The cyclone was downgraded to a tropical depression at 03:00 UTC on June 20.[8] Shortly afterward, Dolores's surface circulation dissipated over southwestern Zacatecas.[9] However, mid-level moisture associated with Dolores' remnants continued over west-central Mexico for another 12-24 hours.[1]

Preparations and impact

Tropical Storm Dolores making landfall in Mexico on June 19.

The resort city of Puerto Vallarta opened 20 shelters in advance of Dolores due to expected heavy rainfall of up to 15 in (380 mm) and anticipated storm surge.[10] 198 shelters were opened in 35 municipalities across the state of Jalisco prior to Dolores moving through the area.[11] Residents of several states in southwestern Mexico were advised to prepare for tropical-storm-force winds, power outages, landslides, overflowing rivers and widespread punctual rains as Dolores approached.[12] The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) reported 54,399 customers lost electricity across Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa due to Dolores' passage to the south and east of those states. [13]

The precursor to Dolores, in sync with the precursor of Tropical Storm Claudette over the Bay of Campeche, caused days of heavy rainfall across southern Mexico and Central America.[14][15] Torrential rains lashed the coasts of Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Michoacán as the cyclone approached the coast.[16] 35 houses in Guerrero were damaged by landslides caused by Dolores' precursor.[17] In neighboring Oaxaca, at least ten communities of the indigenous Zapotec peoples experienced overflowing streams and rivers, as well as damage to agriculture and infrastructure due to the combined effects of Dolores' and Claudette's precursor system. The worst damage Oaxaca occurred in the Sierra Sur and Costa regions, where debris strewn across roads and extensive mudslides rendered many streets impassable.[18]

At least 232 fallen trees were reported throughout the state of Colima due to Dolores' strong winds. Around 400 mm (15.75 in) of rain fell near Tecomán, resulting in floods that damaged banana crops and threatened other agriculture.[19][17] More than 150 people rode out the storm at an evacuation center at a school in Cerra de Ortega, Tecomán.[20] At least two houses were seriously damaged by flooding in the state.[21] In neighboring Michoacán, at least 20 municipalities were affected by torrential rainfall for nearly 30 consecutive hours that flooded buildings and uprooted trees.[22] Landslides from the heavy rainfall blocked roads in the municipalities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Uruapan, Aquila, Chinicuila. Apatzingán, Morelia, and Arteaga. An overflowing stream caused flooding in the village of Villa Victoria, Chinicuila.[22] A highway connecting the town of Playa Azul to the city of Zihuatanejo in neighboring Guerrero was closed due to the flooding.[23] Torrential rainfall and flash flooding lashed southern portions of Jalisco. At least 80 houses and 300 people living in El Rebalse were isolated in floodwaters after the Marabasco River overflowed.[11] A man died in a soccer field in Ciudad Guzmán after being struck by lightning.[24] The outer bands of Dolores also caused minor flooding in neighboring Nayarit and further north in Sinaloa.[25]

Aftermath

Insured losses from Dolores across Mexico were estimated at US$50 million by professional services corporation Aon.[26] The Mexican Secretary of National Defense, Luis Cresencio Sandoval, activated Plan DN-III-E following Dolores' landfall, which allowed for the dispatch of 2,302 military units to assist in relief efforts in Colima, Michoacán and Guerrero. Additionally, 190 shelters, 10 shelters, and 8 community kitchens were opened in these states to assist affected residents.[27] The Colima State Civil Protection Unit noted there was only moderate damage to infrastructure in coastal areas statewide following the storm.[19] However, Dolores caused significant damage to Colima's agricultural sector, with 60% of banana crops in the state wiped out by flooding, causing the price of bananas to rise statewide following the cyclone's passage. [28] Despite its destructive effects elsewhere, the heavy rainfall from Dolores and its precursor also benefited parts of Guerrero, which was suffering from drought conditions, thereby helping its agricultural sector. [29]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ All damage totals are valued as of 2021 and in United States dollars, unless otherwise noted.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Philippe P. Papin (January 5, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Dolores (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ Robbie Berg (June 18, 2021). Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  3. ↑ Philippe Papin; Eric Blake (June 18, 2021). Tropical Depression Four-E Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  4. ↑ Robert Berg (June 18, 2021). Tropical Storm Dolores Discussion Number 2 (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  5. ↑ Robbie Berg (June 18, 2021). Tropical Storm Dolores Discussion Number 3 (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  6. ↑ Phillipe Papin; Eric Blake (June 19, 2021). Tropical Storm Dolores Discussion Number 5 (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  7. ↑ Robbie Berg (June 19, 2021). Tropical Storm Dolores Discussion Number 6 (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  8. ↑ Andy Latto (June 19, 2021). Tropical Depression Dolores Discussion Number 8 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  9. ↑ Amanda Reinhart; Eric Blake (June 20, 2021). Remnants of Dolores Discussion Number 9 (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Puerto Vallarta under Tropical Storm Watch as Delores is forecasted to make landfall near Cabo Corrientes". Puerto Vallarta Daily News. June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  11. 1 2 José Rangel (June 20, 2021). "Tormenta tropical 'Dolores' deja inundaciones en regiones de Jalisco" [Tropical storm 'Dolores' leaves flooding in regions of Jalisco]. Noticieros Televisa (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Alerta por la formación de la tormenta tropical Dolores: podría convertirse en huracán en el Pacífico" [Alert for the formation of tropical storm Dolores: it could become a hurricane in the Pacific]. Infobae (in Mexican Spanish). June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  13. ↑ "CFE restablece servicio en zonas afectadas por 'Dolores'" [CFE restores service in areas affected by 'Dolores']. Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  14. ↑ Stacy Stewart (June 17, 2021). Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  15. ↑ Amanda Reinhart; Jack Beven (June 16, 2021). Five-Day Graphical Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Trayectoria de la tormenta tropical Dolores en el Pacífico, camino a Jalisco" [Path of Tropical Storm Dolores in the Pacific, on the way to Jalisco]. Al Día Dallas (in Mexican Spanish). June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  17. 1 2 "Deja Dolores tres muertes y causa daño a 8 estados" [Dolores leaves three deaths and causes damage to 8 states]. La Razón de México (in Mexican Spanish). June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  18. ↑ Patricia Briseño (June 17, 2021). "Lluvias en Oaxaca dejan 10 municipios afectados" [Rains in Oaxaca affect 10 municipalities]. Excélsior (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  19. 1 2 Arnoldo Delgadillo (June 20, 2021). "Tormenta tropical 'Dolores' deja daños en Colima; descartan personas muertas" [Tropical storm 'Dolores' leaves damage in Colima; leaves dead people]. Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Colima. Tecomán, el municipio más afectado por 'Dolores'" [Tecomán, Colima the municipality most affected by 'Dolores']. Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  21. ↑ "Tormenta tropical "Dolores" dejó inundaciones y árboles caídos en Colima" [Tropical storm "Dolores" left floods and fallen trees in Colima]. El Heraldo de Mexico (in Mexican Spanish). June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  22. 1 2 ""Dolores" deja daños en 20 municipios de Michoacán" ["Dolores" leaves damage in 20 municipalities of Michoacán]. El Informador (in Mexican Spanish). June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  23. ↑ "¡PRECAUCION: Por inundación cierran carretera Zihuatanejo-Playa Azul; Dolores está cerca de Lázaro Cárdenas" [CAUTION: Zihuatanejo-Playa Azul highway closed due to flooding; Dolores is close to Lázaro Cárdenas]. La Voz de Michoacán (in Mexican Spanish). June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  24. ↑ María Rivero (June 21, 2021). "Tormenta tropical 'Dolores' deja un muerto a su paso por Jalisco" [Tropical storm 'Dolores' leaves one dead as it passes through Jalisco]. Noticieros Televisa (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  25. ↑ Javier Martínez (June 20, 2021). "Tormenta tropical Dolores deja inundaciones leves en Sinaloa" [Tropical Storm Dolores leaves minor flooding in Sinaloa]. El Universal (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  26. ↑ Global Catastrophe Recap June 2021 (PDF) (Report). Aon. July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Tras la tormenta tropical Dolores, vigilan nuevo temporal en el Océano Pacífico" [After tropical storm Dolores, they monitor a new storm in the Pacific Ocean]. Infobae (in Mexican Spanish). June 21, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  28. ↑ Noni Medina (June 21, 2021). ""Dolores" deja más del 60 por ciento de cultivos de plátano afectados en Colima" ["Dolores" leaves more than 60 percent of banana crops affected in Colima]. VDN Noticias (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Guerrero, con daño menor por Dolores" [Guerrero, with minor damage from Dolores]. La Razón de Mexico (in Mexican Spanish). June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 21, 2021.

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