Hurricane Fausto (1996)

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

The origins of Fausto can be traced back to an area of disturbed weather that was located over Venezuela on August 31.[1] This area of disturbed weather was the southern part of a tropical wave which became Hurricane Fran in the Atlantic Ocean.[1] The disturbed weather moved westward across Central America on September 4 and to a position centered about 250 mi (400 km) south of Acapulco, Mexico on September 9, where it began to develop a low-level circulation and well-organized thunderstorm activity.[1] A tropical depression formed on September 10 while located about 250 mi (400 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo.[1]

Upon becoming a tropical cyclone, the depression was initially forecast to remain over water.[2] Guided by a weak ridge near Baja California, the depression moved northwestward at about 20 km/h (10 mph) and paralleled the coast of Mexico for the next three days. Meanwhile, the tropical cyclone developed well-defined banding features. Based on this, the system was upgraded into Tropical Storm Fausto later that day.[1] While banding featured increased and the tropical cyclone became more organized and a well-established upper-level outflow, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) re-assessed the intensity at 70 mph (195 km/h).[3]

Fausto ultimately developed an eye; as such, the tropical storm was upgraded into a hurricane on September 11. Hurricane Fuasto reached its peak intensity at 120 mph (195 km/h) midday on the 12th, and turned northward while centered south of the southern tip of Baja California. The hurricane made landfall near Todos los Santos on Baja California on September 13 with winds of 140 km/h (85 mph), and turned north-northeastward, it made landfall on the mainland of Mexico near Los Mochis several hours later as a weaker hurricane. Fausto rapidly weakened, and the storm's low-level circulation center dissipated at 0000 UTC on September 15, over the Sierra Madre mountains.[1][4] However, Fausto's mid-level circulation remained intact. For the next couple of days, Fausto's remnants continued moving eastward, moving across Mexico and then moving across the Gulf of Mexico, before later emerging into the Atlantic. On September 17, Fausto's remnants developed into a large nor'easter, just off the coast of the Delmarva Peninsula. Afterward, the system moved northeastward, passing to the east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts on September 18, before it was last noted later that day.[5]

Rainfall totals from Fausto in Mexico

The southern part of Baja California went under a hurricane watch and a tropical storm warning on September 12. The next day, a hurricane warning was issued for the same areas. That night a hurricane watch was issued for the mainland of Mexico. On the September 14, all the warnings were dropped.[1] Fourteen ports throughout Mexico were closed due to the storm. An estimated 5,000 residents evacuated to 110 shelters set up by officials. Following the substantial loss of life due to Hurricane Ismael in 1995, port officials urged, and sometimes pressured, to return to port.[6] Many flights were canceled.[7]

Waves of up to 15 feet (4.6 m) walloped Pacific beaches along the southern tip of Baja California Sur and yachts were damaged. There was no major damage on the mainland. There was one report of 4 inches (100 mm) of rainfall at Cabo San Lucas.[1] Similar amounts of rain may have spread inland over mainland Mexico. The storm total of 18.50 inches/470 mm reported at San Vicente de la Sierra.[4] Despite the rainfall, damage in Mexico was minor, with only one casualty (a San Diego vacationer) caused by a downed power line in a trailer park. Damage totaled to around $800,000 (1996 USD) in both Baja California and the mainland in Mexico.[8] However, Fausto downed power poles, smashed windows, and disrupted the tourist business at Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.[1]

• Other storms of the same name
• List of Category 3 Pacific hurricanes

• Hurricane Fausto Tropical Cyclone Report