&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Dolores_2015-07-15_1755Z.jpg) Dolores near peak intensity south of the Baja California peninsula. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | July 11, 2015 |
| Remnant low | July 18, 2015 |
| Dissipated | July 21, 2015 |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 130 mph (215 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 946 mbar (hPa); 27.94 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 indirect |
| Damage | $50.5 million |
| Areas affected | Mexico, California, Southwestern United States |
| IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2015 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Dolores was a powerful and moderately damaging tropical cyclone whose remnants brought record-breaking heavy rains and strong winds to California. The seventh named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the record-breaking 2015 Pacific hurricane season, Dolores formed from a tropical wave on July 11. The system gradually strengthened, attaining hurricane status on July 13. Dolores rapidly intensified as it neared the Baja California peninsula, finally peaking as a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) on July 15. An eyewall replacement cycle began and cooler sea-surface temperatures rapidly weakened the hurricane, and Dolores weakened to a tropical storm two days later. On July 18, Dolores degenerated into a remnant low west of the Baja California peninsula.
The proximity of Dolores to Mexico led to tropical storm watches being issued for parts of the coastline. Those were later discontinued as Dolores began tracking westward away from land areas. Hurricane conditions were reported on Socorro Island, an island in the open Pacific owned by Mexico. Though the hurricane itself brought minimal damage to Baja California, its remnants caused major damage to some Californian cities and surrounding areas in the Southwestern United States. Heavy rain totaling up to four inches in San Diego and Los Angeles counties broke historic records. High rainfall rates caused a bridge on Interstate 10 to collapse and injure one person, and a road was washed out on California State Route 78 near the California–Arizona border. One person was killed by a lightning strike in Kern County, California. The heavy rains also caused flooding and mudslides. Three tornadoes were reported, and damage totaled more than $50 million.