&sq=&lang=&file=File:Olaf_2021-09-09_2010Z.jpg) Hurricane Olaf nearing peak intensity as it approaches Baja California Sur on September 9, 2021. | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 7, 2021 |
| Remnant low | September 11, 2021 |
| Dissipated | September 12, 2021 |
| Category 2 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 105 mph (165 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 975 mbar (hPa); 28.79 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 total |
| Damage | $10 million |
| Areas affected | Western Mexico, Baja California Sur |
| IBTrACS / [1] | |
Part of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Olaf was a Category 2 Pacific hurricane that struck the Baja California Peninsula in September 2021. The fifteenth named storm and sixth hurricane of the 2021 Pacific hurricane season, the cyclone formed from an area of low pressure that developed off the southwestern coast of Mexico on September 5, 2021. The disturbance developed within a favorable environment, acquiring more convection and a closed surface circulation. The disturbance developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen-E by 18:00 UTC[a] on September 7. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Olaf at 12:00 UTC the next day. Olaf quickly strengthened as it moved to the north-northwest, and was upgraded to a hurricane 24 hours after being named. Hurricane Olaf continued to intensify and reached peak intensity while its center was just offshore the southwestern coast of Baja California Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (169 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 975 mbar (28.8 inHg). Just after reaching peak intensity, the hurricane made landfall near San José del Cabo. Interaction with the mountainous terrain of the Baja California Peninsula caused Olaf to quickly weaken. It was downgraded to a tropical storm at 12:00 UTC on September 10. The system became devoid of convection later that day and degenerated to a remnant low by 06:00 UTC on September 11.
The precursor disturbance to Olaf caused flooding in the southwestern Mexican states of Jalisco and Colima. The storm triggered school, port, and COVID-19 vaccination-site closures in Baja California Sur as it approached the peninsula. Severe rainfall, flooding, mudslides, uprooted trees and damage to power lines and hotels affected the state as the hurricane made landfall and moved over the peninsula. Total damage from Olaf was estimated at USD$10 million,[b] and one person died due to a mudslide produced by the storm in Jalisco.
- ^ Andy S. Latto (January 10, 2022). Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Olaf (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
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