Hurricane Beatriz (2023)

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

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A low pressure area developed a few hundred miles southwest of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica around 00:00 UTC on June 26, 2023.[1] The low pressure area progressed slowly northwestward, producing a disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms. The associated shower and thunderstorm activity remained disorganized for several days before beginning to show signs of organization on June 28, while located to the south of Guatemala.[2] The disturbance continued to organize throughout the day, but by late on June 28 could still not be deemed a tropical cyclone; however, due to its impending threat to the southwestern coast of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) initiated advisories on the system as Potential Tropical Cyclone Two-E at 03:00 UTC on June 29.[3] An increase in the system's organization led to its upgrade to a tropical depression six hours later.[4] The newly formed tropical cyclone continued to organize its deep convection throughout the day, and it was upgraded to a tropical storm twelve hours later and assigned the name Beatriz.[5]

Beatriz as an intensifying tropical storm off the coast of Mexico, with Hurricane Adrian to its west.

Beatriz was steered to the northwest as it moved between a ridge to its northeast and the more powerful Hurricane Adrian to its west.[6] Very warm sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) and fairly low wind shear allowed the storm to rapidly intensify. At 15:00 UTC on June 30, Beatriz was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane as it neared the Mexican coast.[7] Despite its center being near the coast, Beatriz continued to intensify and reached its peak intensity at 21:00 UTC that day with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (137 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 992 mbar (29.3 inHg). Around this time, Beatriz' eye began to be obscured on satellite imagery as the storm interacted with the mountainous terrain of Mexico.[8]

Beatriz' maximum sustained winds dropped to tropical storm strength early on July 1, as its center brushed the coast of Mexico near Punta San Telmo, Michoacán. Continuing on a northwesterly path, with its center remaining just off the coast, Beatriz' organization quickly unraveled to the point that the NHC was uncertain if Beatriz' surface circulation still existed.[9][10] An Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) pass confirmed by 18:00 UTC on July 1 that Beatriz no longer had a surface circulation and had dissipated off the Mexican coast.[11]

Upon Beatriz’ precursor's designation as a potential tropical cyclone on June 28, tropical storm watches and warnings were issued for much of the southwestern coast of Mexico.[12] Hurricane watches and warnings were issued as the storm strengthened and neared the coast, from the state of Oaxaca northwest to Jalisco.[13][14]

Beatriz was the fifth hurricane to strike the Pacific coast of Mexico in a roughly one-year time period, following hurricanes Agatha, Kay, Orlene and Roslyn in 2022. Widespread floods, fallen trees, power outages and road collapses were reported across the states of Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacán and Jalisco in Beatriz' wake.[15] Torrential rainfall fell across each state, prompting the opening of temporary storm shelters.[16] In Michoacán, where Beatriz strengthened into a hurricane directly offshore, strong winds from Beatriz left significant damage across several municipalities. Papaya trees were strewn across the ground from their plantations, while the tile and tin rooves of hundreds of houses were severely damaged or destroyed, particularly in the town of Maruata. Several communities were left without power for over 48 hours due to the storm.[17] Stranded vehicles, fence collapses and fallen trees were reported in neighboring Guerrero, especially around the port city of Acapulco.[18] Despite being well inland of the Pacific coast, the state of Hidalgo saw torrential rainfall that flooded nearly 110 homes in three towns across the state; however, no casualties were reported as a result.[19]

In Jalisco, mudslides, landslides and intermittent rains occurred on Mexican federal highways 80 and 200.[20] However, because Beatriz greatly weakened as it approached the state, overall damage from the hurricane was considered minor; despite this, residents were urged to take precautions against the strong rains produced by the cyclone.[21] A 25-year-old surfer off the coast of Cerritos Beach in Baja California Sur died after surfing the high waves generated by Beatriz' remnants.[19]

• Weather of 2023
• Tropical cyclones in 2023
• List of Category 1 Pacific hurricanes
• Other storms named Beatriz
• Timeline of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season
• Hurricane Andres (2009) – Had a similar track and intensity
• Hurricane Erick (2013) – took a similar track and had similar effects
• Hurricane Carlos (2015) – had a similar track and intensity
• Hurricane Nora (2021) – also affected similar areas 2 years prior

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hurricane Beatriz (2023).

• The National Hurricane Center's advisory archive on Hurricane Beatriz

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Weather Service.