Tropical Depression Two-E (2006)

Tropical Depression Two-E was a short-lived tropical cyclone that brought heavy rainfall to southwestern Mexico. It was the only cyclone during the month in the eastern North Pacific Ocean, forming on June 3 from a tropical wave. The depression initially moved northeastward, threatening the Mexican states of Michoacán and Guerrero with a potential of it attaining tropical storm status. It remained a tropical depression, weakening due to land interaction and wind shear, and on June 5 it dissipated just off the coast. Rainfall from the depression peaked at 19.1 inches (486 mm) in Acapulco, which resulted in mudslides and flooding. A total of 42 houses were flooded, and 72 people were forced to leave their homes due to the storm; no deaths were reported.

Tropical Depression Two-E
Tropical Depression Two-E near the coast of Mexico on June 3
Meteorological history
FormedJune 3, 2006
DissipatedJune 5, 2006
Tropical depression
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds35 mph (55 km/h)
Lowest pressure1005 mbar (hPa); 29.68 inHg
Overall effects
FatalitiesNone reported
DamageMinimal
Areas affectedSouthwestern Mexico, Western Mexico
IBTrACS / [1]
Part of the 2006 Pacific hurricane season

Meteorological history
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
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

The tropical depression originated from a tropical wave off the southern coast of Mexico in late May 2006. An area of convection was associated with the wave, and forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) remarked that environmental conditions favored gradual development.[2] The system, which was enhanced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), drifted northward with an anticyclone to its east and west.[3][4] On June 1, the convection became more concentrated,[5] and by early the next day it developed a low pressure area; by that time, it began a steady northwestward track.[6]

An upper-level anticyclone north of the system provided a more favorable environment for organization, allowing the convection to organize into banding features.[6] The system also developed good outflow,[7] though initially the surface circulation was too elongated for it to be considered a tropical cyclone.[8] Early on June 3, the nearby anticyclone moved northeastward, which increased wind shear over the system and caused it briefly to become less-organized.[9] However, convection increased over the center,[10] and at 1500 UTC on June 3 the NHC classified the system as Tropical Depression Two-E about 140 mi (240 km) southwest of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero; the upgrade was due to the system developing sufficiently organized convection, as well as a closed surface circulation.[11]

Upon being classified as a tropical cyclone, the depression was in an area not favorable for significant strengthening, due to land interaction and wind shear.[11] It was tracking steadily northeastward, and as it moved closer to the coastline, the center of the depression was difficult to locate. However, the overall organization briefly improved, and in one forecast the depression was predicted to attain tropical storm status.[12] Early on June 4, convection weakened significantly, leaving the center partially exposed.[13] Continued wind shear brought most of the associated thunderstorm activity onshore southwestern Mexico while the center of the depression remained just offshore.[14] Late on June 4, the circulation accelerated away from the deep convection as it passed a short distance south of Acapulco.[15] Early on June 5, the circulation dissipated,[1] and later that night the remnants moved inland.[16]

Preparations and impact
Satellite image of the depression near southwestern Mexico

Due to uncertainty in whether the depression would attain tropical storm status or not,[1] the government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning from Punta San Telmo, Michoacán to Acapulco, Guerrero.[17] Prior to affecting the coastline, the Mexican meteorological agency issued a heavy rainfall advisory, also mentioning the potential for flooding and mudslides, for the states of Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.[18] Officials prepared 21 shelters in the region.[19]

The depression produced heavy rainfall along the coastline, including a total of 19.1 inches (486 mm) measured in a 48‑hour period in Acapulco. Totals of over 2 inches (50 mm) spread across much of Guerrero and Oaxaca,[18] causing flash flooding and mudslides.[1] The storm partially flooded about 40 houses, and a total of 72 people were forced to leave their homes.[20] In Acapulco, floodwaters washed trash from street corners onto the beaches. Elsewhere in Guerrero, the flooding and mudslides blocked several highways,[21] which stranded dozens of vehicles. The wall of a prison collapsed due to the rainfall.[19] Also in Acapulco, the rainfall downed trees and power lines, causing power outages and sparking a fire when a transformer exploded.[22] No deaths were reported.[1]

References
  1. Lixion Avila (July 5, 2006). "Tropical Depression Two-E Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  2. James Franklin (May 31, 2006). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  3. Martin Nelson (June 1, 2006). "Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  4. Jack Beven (June 1, 2006). "Tropical Weather Outlook". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  5. Lixion Avila (June 1, 2006). "Tropical Weather Outlook (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  6. Hugh Cobb (June 2, 2006). "Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  7. Hugh Cobb (June 2, 2006). "Tropical Weather Discussion (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  8. Robbie Berg (June 2, 2006). "Tropical Weather Discussion (3)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  9. Hugh Cobb (June 3, 2006). "Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  10. RRG (June 3, 2006). "Tropical Weather Discussion (2)". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  11. Lixion Avila (June 3, 2006). "Tropical Depression Two-E Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  12. Lixion Avila (June 3, 2006). "Tropical Depression Two-E Discussion Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  13. Mainelli/Beven (June 4, 2006). "Tropical Depression Two-E Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  14. James Franklin (June 4, 2006). "Tropical Depression Two-E Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  15. Stacy Stewart (June 4, 2006). "Tropical Depression Two-E Discussion Six". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  16. Wally Barnes (June 5, 2006). "Tropical Weather Discussion". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  17. Lixion Avila (June 3, 2006). "Tropical Depression Two-E Public Advisory Two". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  18. Alberto Hernández Unzón and Cirilo Bravo Lujano (2006). "Resumen de la Depresión Tropical 2E del Océano Pacifico" (PDF) (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Mexico). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 25, 2007. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  19. General Director of Social Communication (June 5, 2006). "Daily Information Summary" (DOC) (in Spanish). Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  20. Staff Writer (June 5, 2006). "Amenaza depresión tropical pasar a ciclón". El Universal (in Spanish). Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  21. Staff Writer (June 4, 2006). "Tropical depression sparks minor flooding in Mexican Pacific resort of Acapulco". Associated Press.
  22. Staff Writer (June 4, 2006). "Depresión tropical se convierte en ciclón en Guerrero". El Universal (in Spanish). Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2008.

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