Meteorological history | |
---|---|
Formed | June 14, 2018 |
Dissipated | June 19, 2018 |
Tropical storm | |
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Highest winds | 65 mph (100 km/h) |
Lowest pressure | 997 mbar (hPa); 29.44 inHg |
Overall effects | |
Fatalities | 3 |
Damage | $7.6 million (2018 USD) |
Areas affected | Central and Southern Mexico |
IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2018 Pacific hurricane season |
Tropical Storm Carlotta was a moderately strong tropical cyclone that caused flooding in several states in southwestern and central Mexico. Carlotta, the third named storm of the 2018 Pacific hurricane season, formed as the result of a breakdown in the Intertropical Convergence Zone. On June 12, a broad area of low pressure developed several hundred miles south of Mexico and strengthened into a tropical storm by June 15. The next day, the system stalled unexpectedly within a favorable environment, which led to more intensification than originally anticipated. Early on June 17, Carlotta reached peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum central pressure of 997 mbar (29.44 inHg) while located only 30 mi (50 km) south-southeast of Acapulco. The system then began to interact with land and experience wind shear, which resulted in the storm weakening to tropical depression status later in the day. The system weakened to a remnant low early on June 19 and dissipated several hours later.
Carlotta prompted the issuance of multiple watches and warnings for the southern coast of Mexico. The storm caused three deaths, two of which were in Aguascalientes and the other in Oaxaca. Flooding and landslides also occurred throughout the states of Aguascalientes, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, and Puebla, as well as in the Yucatán Peninsula. Damage from the system was reported to be minor.