Hurricane Otto (2016)

Hurricane Otto
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)

Hurricane Otto nearing landfall in southern Nicaragua at peak intensity on November 24
Formed November 21, 2016
Dissipated December 3, 2016
(Remnant low after November 26)
Highest winds 1-minute sustained: 110 mph (175 km/h)
Lowest pressure 975 mbar (hPa); 28.79 inHg
Fatalities 22 direct
Damage ≥ $21.7 million (2016 USD)
Areas affected Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua
Part of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season and 2016 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Otto was an unusually intense late-season tropical cyclone that was the first storm since Hurricane Cesar–Douglas in 1996 to survive the crossover from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.[1] Hurricane Otto was also the southernmost hurricane on record to hit Central America.[2] In addition, Otto was the first tropical cyclone to cross through Costa Rica since records began.[3][4][5] Adding to the streak of records, Otto also was the latest Atlantic hurricane on record to make landfall anywhere in the basin.[6] The hurricane also marked 2016 as the second longest-duration Atlantic hurricane season within the calendar year on record.

Forming late on November 21 in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, Otto was the fifteenth and final named storm and seventh hurricane of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season, and also the latest to form in the region since Tropical Storm Odette of 2003. It quickly intensified into a hurricane the next day, thus becoming the latest storm to attain hurricane status in the Caribbean, surpassing Hurricane Martha in 1969. While drifting slowly westward, Otto weakened slightly on November 23 due to upwelling of cooler waters, but later rapidly restrengthened to a strong Category 2 hurricane. Otto made landfall in Nicaragua at peak intensity on November 24, thus becoming the latest hurricane to make landfall in Nicaragua on record. While continuing westwards, the storm passed over Costa Rica.[7] Otto quickly weakened but remained tropical while emerging into the Eastern Pacific basin. As of November 27, eight people have died in Panama, ten in Costa Rica, and another four in Nicaragua.

Meteorological history

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale

On November 12, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) first noted the potential for a low pressure area to develop in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, assessing a 20% chance for tropical cyclone formation within five days.[8] Atmospheric pressure in that region began falling on November 14,[9] which preceded an increase in convection, or thunderstorms. By this date, the NHC increased the probability of cyclonic development to 70%.[10] The broad low pressure area moved slowly and erratically, with a disorganized structure and light winds,[11] disrupted by unfavorable upper-level conditions.[12] On November 19, the convection increased and became better organized, amid marginally favorable conditions.[13] The Hurricane Hunters flew into the system on November 20, observing a well-defined circulation but insufficient thunderstorm activity to classify it as a tropical depression.[14] Subsequently, the convection increased over the center and organized into rainbands. On that basis, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Sixteen at 09:00 UTC on November 21, located about 170 mi (275 km) east-southeast of San Andrés island, or 300 mi (480 km) east of Bluefields, Nicaragua.[15]

The nascent depression meandered over the southwestern Caribbean Sea, its path to the north blocked by a ridge.[15] Thunderstorm activity continued to pulse over the center,[16] and the inner core of convection became more organized. Late on November 21, the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Otto, based on satellite-derived wind estimates of 50 mph (85 km/h).[17] The storm had well-established outflow to the northeast, fueled by warm water temperatures of around 84 °F (29 °C).[18] After the convection organized into a central dense overcast,[19] Otto strengthened into a hurricane late on November 22; this was the latest that a Caribbean storm reached that intensity, one day later than Hurricane Martha set the previous record in 1969.[20] Otto slowly began to drift westward, however it weakened slightly early on November 23 to a tropical storm after displaying a rather disheveled display on satellites. The weakening was likely due to the system running into lower oceanic heat content values and potential upwelling of the ocean underneath it. Unexpectedly, on November 24, it rapidly intensified into a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 mph and a pressure of 976 mb.[21] Otto reached Category 2 status later in the season than any previous Atlantic hurricane on record.[5] At around 18:45 UTC, Otto made landfall near the Nicaragua–Costa Rica border with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h), making Otto the southernmost hurricane to hit Central America on record.[22] Otto also matched a 1934 hurricane as the strongest observed so late in the season.[23] The NHC noted that the strength of Otto at landfall was "at least" 110 mph (175 km/h), suggesting that it could have reached major—Category 3 or higher—status.[24]

Tropical Storm Otto in the Eastern Pacific on November 25

After landfall, Otto's structure remained well-organized as it moved roughly parallel to the Costa Rica-Nicaraguan border, although cloud tops warmed, indicating diminishing convection; as such, the National Hurricane Center downgraded the hurricane to a tropical storm at 03:00 UTC on November 25.[25] Shortly afterwards, the center of Otto emerged into the Eastern Pacific—the first such occurrence in which an Atlantic tropical cyclone retained its name, after a change in NHC naming policy over a decade earlier.[5][26] Otto was the first Atlantic hurricane on record to have its eye cross over Costa Rica.[5] Otto also marked 2016 as the second longest-duration Atlantic hurricane season within the calendar year on record, with storms existing from January to November.[5] Once in the Eastern Pacific, highly unfavorable conditions encroached the system, and Otto degenerated into a remnant trough of low pressure on November 26. However, the remnants of Otto persisted well for over a week into the first of December as it slowly moved westward, until it was ultimately absorbed by a cold front on December 3.

Preparations

A Hurricane Watch was issued for the coast of Nicaragua on November 22,[27] which was upgraded into a warning the next day.[28]

In Costa Rica, the government declared red alert for the northern portion of the national territory and the southern Pacific region. About 6,800 people were evacuated to safer locations.[29]

Impact

Hurricane Otto killed at least eight people in Panama.[30]

Throughout Nicaragua, Otto damaged 857 houses, eight schools, and two health facilities. The storm passage caused 11,678 people to stay in 152 temporary shelters. After the storm, 248 people remained in the shelters while their damaged houses were rebuilt. Otto damaged 1,700 m (5,600 ft) of power lines, resulting in power and water outages. Officials deployed 12,000 people to help ensure public safety and rescue efforts.[31] There were four deaths in Nicaragua related to the hurricane, with five others missing as of November 26.[32]

Otto was the first hurricane to pass directly over Costa Rica since records began.[3][4][5][33] In Costa Rica, some areas near the border with Nicaragua observed over a month's worth of rainfall.[34] Otto killed at least ten people in the country,[35] including six in Upala, three in Bagaces, and one in Guayabo.[36] Authorities calculated at least $21.7 million USD in damages across the country, including $8.7 million to roadways, and another $13 million in damage to infrastructure.[37][38] The hurricane damaged 14 water systems.[31] Costa Rican president Luis Guillermo Solis described the situation as "chaotic and unprecedented," with the worst effects in Upala canton.[38] The president declared three days of national mourning in the wake of the hurricane.[38] Officials opened 38 shelters that housed 3,370 people, mostly in Upala. About 10,000 people required humanitarian assistance following the storm. Local Red Cross volunteers, police officers, and firefighters brought food and other supplies to the 42 communities left isolated due to Otto. By November 29, roads were repaired and cleared in most areas.[31]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Julia Glum (November 21, 2016). "Thanksgiving 2016 Weather: Tropical Storm Otto Could Become Hurricane, Threaten Central America". International Business Times. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  2. ↑ The Associated Press (24 November 2016). "Otto Weakens to Tropical Storm as It Moves Across Nicaragua". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 Rodríguez, Mirta (26 November 2016). "Otto, el único que ha cruzado del Atlántico al Pacífico en 28 años" [Otto, the only one to cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 28 years]. La Estrella de Panamá (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 Gabriela Hoos, Natalia Soto, and Vanessa Loaiza (26 November 2016). "La huella imborrable de Otto, el primer huracán que cruzó Costa Rica" [The indelible mark of Otto, the first hurricane that crossed Costa Rica]. La Nación (San José) (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Masters, Jeff (25 November 2016). "Otto Shifts from Atlantic to Pacific after Historic Landfall in Central America". Weather Underground. The Weather Company. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  6. ↑ http://webcms.colostate.edu/tropical/media/sites/111/2016/11/2016-11.pdf
  7. ↑ "3 Dead, Dozens Missing, Costa Rica Recovering From Hurricane Otto". QCosta Rica. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  8. ↑ Todd Kimberlain (November 12, 2016). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  9. ↑ Stacy Stewart (November 14, 2016). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  10. ↑ Todd Kimberlain (November 14, 2016). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  11. ↑ Jack Beven (November 16, 2016). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  12. ↑ Jack Beven (November 18, 2016). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  13. ↑ John Cangialosi (November 19, 2016). Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ Richard Pasch (November 20, 2016). Special Tropical Weather Outlook (TXT) (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  15. 1 2 Stacy Stewart (November 21, 2016). Tropical Depression Sixteen Discussion Number 1 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  16. ↑ Stacy Stewart (November 21, 2016). Tropical Depression Sixteen Discussion Number 2 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  17. ↑ Richard Pasch (November 21, 2016). Tropical Storm Otto Special Discussion Number 3 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  18. ↑ Daniel Brown (November 22, 2016). Tropical Storm Otto Discussion Number 5 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  19. ↑ Eric Blake (November 22, 2016). Tropical Storm Otto Discussion Number 7 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  20. ↑ Eric Blake; Richard Pasch (November 22, 2016). Hurricane Otto Discussion Number 8 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Hurricane OTTO Update Statement". www.nhc.noaa.gov. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  22. ↑ Avila, Lixion (24 November 2016). "Hurricane Otto Intermediate Advisory Number 15A". National Hurricane Center. National Weather Service–NHC. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  23. ↑ Masters, Jeff (24 November 2016). "Cat 2 Otto Slams Nicaragua, Costa Rica; Strongest Late-Season Hurricane on Record". Weather Underground. The Weather Company. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  24. ↑ Stewart, Stacy (24 November 2016). "Hurricane Otto Discussion Number Sixteen". National Hurricane Center. National Weather Service–NHC. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  25. ↑ Beven, Jack (24 November 2016). "Tropical Storm Otto Discussion Number Seventeen". National Hurricane Center. National Weather Service–NHC. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  26. ↑ http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/B5.html
  27. ↑ Blake and Pasch (November 22, 2016). Tropical Storm Otto Advisory Number 7 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  28. ↑ Blake and Pasch (November 23, 2016). Tropical Storm Otto Advisory Number 10 (Report). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  29. ↑ Solano, Johel (26 November 2016). "Estas son las zonas que mantienen alerta roja en el país" [These are the zones that are keeping red alert in the country]. crhoy.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "Hurricane Otto Death Toll in Panama Rises to 8 – Civil Defense Director". Sputniknews. November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
  31. 1 2 3 Flash Email 5 Central America Tropical Storm Otto 29 November 2016. United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Report). ReliefWeb. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  32. ↑ "Hurricane Otto leaves at least nine dead in Costa Rica". Al Jazeera. November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016..
  33. ↑ Murillo, Álvaro (24 November 2016). "Otto se degrada a tormenta tropical al pasar por Nicaragua" [Otto is degraded to a tropical storm as it passes through Nicaragua]. Univision Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  34. ↑ George Rodriguez (November 25, 2016). "Storm Otto kills nine in Costa Rica, moves out to Pacific". San Jose, Costa Rica: Reuters. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  35. ↑ "Ten Killed as Devastative Hurricane Otto Sweeps Through Costa Rica". Sputnik News. Sputnik News. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  36. ↑ "Costa Rica declares national mourning as storm Otto kills nine". TRT World. TRT World. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  37. ↑ "Hurricane Otto leaves at least 9 dead in Costa Rica". LeGlobalisTe. LeGlobalisTe. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  38. 1 2 3 "Hurricane "Otto" in Costa Rica claimed the lives of ten people". Latest World News. Latest World News. Retrieved 28 November 2016.

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