Hurricane Ileana (2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | ||
|---|---|---|
 Ileana at peak intensity. |
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| Formed | August 21, 2006 | |
| Dissipated | August 27, 2006 | |
| Highest winds |
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| Lowest pressure | 955 mbar (hPa; 28.21 inHg) | |
| Fatalities | 1 direct | |
| Damage | Minimal | |
| Areas affected |
Several states in Mexico | |
| Part of the 2006 Pacific hurricane season |
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Hurricane Ileana was one of six major hurricanes in the 2006 Pacific hurricane season. Ileana formed on August 21 near Acapulco, Mexico as Tropical Depression Nine-E. The depression strengthened rapidly, becoming Hurricane Illeana in 48 hours. The storm reached peak winds of 120 miles per hour (190 km/h) and subsequently began to weaken. Illeana dissipated on August 27 near Baja California. During the storm's existence, heavy rainfall was reported in Mexico along with one fatality in Cabo San Lucas.
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[edit] Storm history
Hurricane Ileana originated from a tropical wave that left the coast of Africa on August 8.[1] With little associated convection, it traversed the Atlantic Ocean for about a week. On August 16 it entered the Eastern North Pacific and convection begn to increase. On August 19, the wave developed a low–level low pressure system, warranting the first Dvorak numbers to be issued. As the low continued west-northwestward, the disorganized system gained thunderstorm activity on August 20. Deep convection increased greatly in the low, and it became a tropical depression on August 21 near Acapulco.[2]
Vertical wind shear in the depression's general area was low, allowing for development.[1] The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ileana six hours after forming.[3] Illeana continued to strengthen, becoming a hurricane in 24 hours, and a major hurricane 12 hours after that.[4][5] Ileana passed to the south of Socorro Island on August 23 as a Category 3 hurricane. Ileana then reached its peak intensity of 120 miles per hour (190 km/h) on the same day, mainting it overnight. Ileana then commenced into a slow weakening phase on August 24, when it encountered cooler waters. With wind shear still minimal, the weakening was protracted, becoming a minimal Category 1-hurricane on August 25.[1] Sea-surface temperatures reached low enough on August 26, causing Ileana to be downgraded to a tropical storm.[6]
As temperatures reached 24 °C (75 °F) on August 26, what was left of the deep convection in Ileana diminished.[1] Illeana became a tropical depression on the morning of August 27, degenerating into a remnant low at 1800 UTC. The remnant low continued for two more days, moving slowly westward with winds of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h). The low dissipated on August 29.[1]
[edit] Preparations and impact
As Ileana was heading north along the Mexican coastline, slight rainfall was recorded along the coast.[7] There were also reports of hurricane force winds on Socorro Island.[1] One fatality was reported when a man died from heavy surf near Cabo San Lucas.[8] When Ileana struck Mexico on August 23, there were winds recorded up to 120 miles per hour (190 km/h).[9] With the prediction of Category 4 conditions, people were told not to make life or death decisions.[9] Northwest Mexico also got heavy rainfall from the Category 3 storm.[10]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Eric S. Blake (October 4, 2006). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Ileana. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ Eric S. Blake & James Franklin (August 21, 2006). Hurricane Ileana discussion #1. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
- ^ Eric S. Blake & James Franklin (August 21, 2006). Hurricane Ileana discussion #2. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
- ^ Rhome (August 22, 2006). Hurricane Ileana discussion #6. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
- ^ Richard Pasch (August 23, 2006). Hurricane Ileana discussion #8. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
- ^ Lixion A. Avila and Eric S. Blake (August 26, 2006). Hurricane Ileana discussion #20. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
- ^ TRMM data (2007). Rainfall from Ileana. NASA. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ Sign on San Diego (August 23, 2006). The week in Mexico. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ a b Mark Saunders (August 23, 2006). Intense hurricane Ileana. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
- ^ Americas News (August 23, 2006). Hurricane Ileana brings heavy rainfall to Mexico. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
[edit] External links
- The NHC's archive on Hurricane Ileana .
