Hurricane Norma (2023)

Hurricane Norma

Norma at its peak intensity while south of the Baja California peninsula on October 19
Meteorological history
Formed	October 17, 2023
Dissipated	October 23, 2023
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	130 mph (215 km/h)
Lowest pressure	939 mbar (hPa); 27.73 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities	3
Damage	$23.3 million (2023 USD)
Areas affected	Mexico (Baja California Sur and Sinaloa)
[1][2][3]
Part of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Norma was one of four tropical cyclones to strike the Pacific Coast of Mexico in October 2023. The seventeenth tropical depression, fourteenth named storm, ninth hurricane and seventh major hurricane^[a] of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season, Norma developed from an area of low pressure that formed off the coast of southern Mexico on October 15, 2023. The disturbance gradually organized as it progressed westward parallel to the coast, and developed into Tropical Storm Norma on October 17. Turning northward, Norma rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane as it continued to parallel the west coast of Mexico. Less favorable environmental conditions caused Norma to gradually weaken as it approached the Baja California peninsula. The cyclone made landfall on the Mexican state of Baja California Sur as a Category 1 hurricane. Norma continued to weaken as it crossed the state. The storm emerged over the Gulf of California on October 22, and made landfall as a tropical depression the following day on the state of Sinaloa. Norma quickly dissipated as it moved inland over Mexico.

Norma resulted in extensive flooding across northwestern Mexico, peaking at nearly 480 mm (19 in) in parts of Baja California Sur. Numerous trees, homes and boats were damaged in the cities of Cabo San Lucas and La Paz. Damage across the state reached MXN$200 million (USD$11.1 million).^[b] Norma resulted in three fatalities in Sinaloa, as well as severe damage to numerous houses and businesses. Infrastructural damage alone in Sinaloa cost MXN$220.5 million (USD$12.2 million).

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

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

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

A broad low-pressure area developed over the northeastern Pacific Ocean on October 15, 2023, producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. With this convective activity gradually consolidating, the system organized into a tropical depression by 12:00 UTC on October 17^[c] about 400 nautical miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Six hours later, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Norma. Situated within an environment of warm sea-surface temperatures (SSTs), low vertical wind shear, and plentiful moisture, Norma underwent an almost two-day long period of rapid intensification shortly after forming, as a ridge over Mexico steered the system to the north while gradually slowing it down. At 18:00 UTC on October 18, 24 hours after being named, Norma strengthened into a hurricane. Just twelve hours later the storm achieved major hurricane status. Norma featured a well-defined, clear eye at this time.

Hurricane Norma shortly before landfall on October 21

The major hurricane continued to move slowly north, parallel to the west coast of Mexico, as it rounded the ridge. Norma reached its peak intensity as a Category 4 hurricane at 12:00 UTC on October 19, with maximum sustained winds of 210 km/h (130 mph) and a minimum barometric pressure of 939 mbar (27.7 inHg). The storm was centered 350 nautical miles south of Cabo San Lucas at the time.^[1] After peaking in intensity, increased dry air and wind shear caused Norma's structure to degrade, and the storm weakened slightly as it turned northwestward and began to move more quickly. Norma fluctuated in intensity, achieving a secondary peak as a 195 km/h (120 mph) Category 3 hurricane on October 20. Despite this, increasingly cooler SSTs caused the hurricane to weaken rapidly as it turned north between the ridge over Mexico and a trough to its northwest. Norma made landfall on the Mexican state of Baja California Sur near 20:15 UTC on October 21 as a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum winds of 130 km/h (80 mph). Norma weakened to a tropical storm as it crossed the Baja California Peninsula, and emerged over the Gulf of California early the following day. Strong upper-level winds produced by the trough caused Norma's convective activity to be sheared away, and the storm weakened to a depression as it moved inland over the state of Sinaloa at 10:30 UTC on October 23. The cyclone dissipated over western Mexico by 18:00 UTC.^[1]

Preparations and impact

Tropical storm and hurricane warnings were issued in advance of Norma’s landfalls, with the NHC anticipating rainfall totals of up to 460 mm (18 in) across portions of northwestern Mexico.^[5] Schools were closed across the states of Baja California Sur and Sinaloa. Los Cabos International Airport and La Paz International Airport were also shut down in advance of the storm.^[6] A total of 120 shelters were opened across Sinaloa.^[7] Members of the Mexican Navy were deployed by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to assist residents impacted by Norma.^[8] The port of Puerto Vallarta was closed to small vessels as Norma passed offshore Jalisco.^[9]

Baja California Sur

Rainfall totals from Norma across northwestern Mexico

Torrential rainfall and strong winds affected Baja California Sur as Norma passed through the state. The intense rainfall led to extreme flooding, with peak accumulations of nearly 480 mm (19 in) in some areas.^[10] Several wind gusts of over 145 km/h (90 mph) were recorded across the state, peaking at 170 km/h (107 mph) at a weather station on the outskirts of Cabo San Lucas.^[11] Numerous streets and canals across La Paz flooded as Norma passed through Baja California Sur. Strong winds from Norma blew down numerous trees and palapas. Additionally, many sailboats and yachts were damaged in their piers along the city's coast.^[6][8] The port of La Paz was closed, leaving over 400 people stranded onboard a ferry crossing the Gulf of California from Sinaloa.^[12] Downed utility poles in Cabo San Lucas disrupted electrical service to over 10,000 people.^[13] In total, 109,209 electricity customers lost power during Norma's passage.^[14] In San José del Cabo, 1,700 people were placed in 24 storm shelters. Two people were rescued after flood waters swept away their truck.^[15] Three stores in La Paz suffered MXN$80–90 thousand (USD$4.6–5.2 thousand) worth of damage.^[16] Total infrastructural damage across Baja California Sur reached MXN$200 million (USD$11.1 million), according to Governor Castro. The governor also stated that he was not anticipating financial assistance from the Mexican federal government to cover the cost of damage produced by Norma.^[2][17]

70,000 people were still left without power going into Monday, October 23. Schools remained closed in parts of the state into Monday as clean-up crews removed fallen trees and scattered debri across La Paz.^[18] Some municipalities in the state were left without power a week after the storm, contradicting reports from the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) that power had been fully restored by October 24.^[19] Vandalism and looting also took place in various stores around Los Cabos.^[20] A disaster declaration was issued by the governor of Baja California Sur, Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío, due to the extensive damage Norma wrought to public infrastructure in southern regions of the state; despite this, most hotels in the area suffered minimal damage from the hurricane.^[21]

Sinaloa

Norma dumped heavy rainfall and caused widespread power outages across southern areas of Sinaloa as it made landfall on the state as a tropical depression.^[6] Peak accumulations of 300 mm (12 in) fell near where Norma's center came ashore.^[10] Three people died in the state: two in vehicle-related accidents and a child due to electrocution. Broken glass, fallen trees and damage to homes and business was reported, mainly in the municipalities of Los Mochis, Ahome and Guasave.^[7] The hurricane caused infrastructural damages totaling MXN$220.5 million (USD$12.2 million) across Sinaloa, damaging several roads and four bridges, as well as causing eighteen sinkholes to form across thirteen municipalities.^[3] Almost 500 people were placed in storm shelters in the municipality of Guasave. Thirteen people were hospitalized due to a malfunctioning gasoline generator, though all were reported to be in stable condition.^[22] Norma spread heavy rainfall over the neighboring states of Chihuahua, Durango, Sonora and Nayarit as it moved inland.^[23]

See also

• Weather of 2023
• Tropical cyclones in 2023
• Timeline of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season
• List of Category 4 Pacific hurricanes
• List of Baja California Peninsula hurricanes
• Other tropical cyclones named Norma
• Hurricane Newton (2016) – took a similar path and affected similar areas
• Hurricane Bud (2018) – another Category 4 hurricane that made landfall on the Baja California Peninsula

Notes

1. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher—1-minute sustained winds higher than 110 miles per hour (178 km/h)—on the Saffir–Simpson scale are described as major hurricanes.^[4]
2. All monetary values converted using exchangerates.org, based on exchange rates for October 30, 2023.
3. All dates and times are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) unless otherwise noted.

References

1. Lisa Bucci (March 15, 2024). Hurricane Norma Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
2. "Huracán Norma dejó 200 mdp en daños a infraestructura; no habrá apoyo federal: Gobernador de BCS" [Hurricane Norma left 200 million pesos in damage to infrastructure; there will be no federal support: Governor of BCS]. BCS Noticias (in Mexican Spanish). October 30, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
3. Javier Martínez (October 30, 2023). "Tormenta tropical "Norma" causó daños en carreteras, puentes y abrió 18 socavones en Sinaloa" [Tropical storm "Norma" caused damage to roads, bridges and opened 18 sinkholes in Sinaloa]. El Universal (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 9, 2023.
4. "Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale". Miami, Florida, United States: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
5. Emma Bowman; Willem Marx; Joe Hernandez (October 22, 2023). "A weakened Norma crosses Mexico, while Hurricane Tammy threatens Caribbean islands". NPR. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
6. Nicole Bonaccorso (October 23, 2023). "Photos Show Hurricane Norma's Impacts In Mexico". The Weather Channel. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
7. Samuel Sánchez (October 23, 2023). "Imágenes de daños causados por Norma; mueren 3 personas en Sinaloa" [Images of damage caused by Norma; 3 people die in Sinaloa]. Uno TV (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved October 28, 2023.
8. "Storm Norma weakens after dropping heavy rain on Mexico, as Hurricane Tammy makes landfall in Barbuda". CBS News. October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
9. "Jalisco vigila avance de huracán 'Norma' aunque no impacte en sus municipios" [Jalisco monitors the progress of hurricane 'Norma' even though it does not impact its municipalities]. Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). October 20, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
10. Precipitación acumulada (mm) del 20 al 22 de octubre de 2023 por al huracán Norma (Map) (in Mexican Spanish). Conagua. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
11. Aaron Barker; Chris Oberholtz; Chris Wulfeck; Scott Sistek (October 23, 2023). "Norma dissipates over Mexico after making 2nd landfall Monday". FOX Weather. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
12. Ignacio Martinez; Fernando Llano (October 22, 2023). "Norma downgraded to tropical storm in Mexico as Hurricane Tammy leaves minor damage in Caribbean". Associated Press. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
13. Matthew Cappucci (October 23, 2023). "Tropical storms and hurricanes still roam the Atlantic and Pacific". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
14. "Huracán Norma afecta a más de 109 mil usuarios de CFE en BCS" [Hurricane Norma affects more than 109 thousand CFE users in BCS]. Forbes (in Mexican Spanish). October 21, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
15. Ignacio Martinez (October 21, 2023). "Norma se debilita tras tocar tierra en Baja California Sur como huracán; avanza hacia Sinaloa" [Norma weakens after making landfall in Baja California Sur as a hurricane; advances towards Sinaloa]. Associated Press (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved September 20, 2024.
16. Alan Flores (December 9, 2023). "90 mil pesos requieren mercados de La Paz por daños de "Norma"" [90 thousand pesos require La Paz markets due to “Norma” damages]. El Sudcaliforniano (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 9, 2023.
17. Elvira Vargas (November 1, 2023). "200 MDP en daños por huracán Norma, en BCS: gobernador" [200 million pesos in damages from Hurricane Norma, in BCS: governor]. Cabo Mil 96.3 (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 9, 2023.
18. "Norma avanza hacia Sinaloa como tormenta tropical sin dejar daños graves en Baja California Sur" [Norma advances towards Sinaloa as a tropical storm without causing serious damage in Baja California Sur]. Associated Press (in Mexican Spanish). October 22, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
19. Margarita Rojas (October 27, 2023). "En BCS, dos municipios se mantienen sin energía eléctrica por paso del huracán 'Norma'" [In BCS, two municipalities remain without electricity due to the passage of hurricane 'Norma']. Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved September 20, 2024.
20. Mauricio Ortiz; Diego Soto (October 21, 2023). "Reportan saqueos en BCS ante paso de huracán 'Norma'; implementan operativo de seguridad" [Looting reported in BCS as Hurricane Norma passes; security operation implemented]. Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved September 21, 2024.
21. "Los Cabos Hotels Suffer Very Little Damage From Hurricane Norma". The Cabo Sun. October 24, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
22. Carlos Morales (October 23, 2023). "Huracán 'Norma' deja tres muertos y estela de destrucción en Sinaloa" [Hurricane Norma leaves three dead and a trail of destruction in Sinaloa]. Milenio (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved September 21, 2024.
23. Jimena Campuzano (October 23, 2023). "'Norma' se debilita a baja presión remanente sobre Sinaloa" ['Norma' weakens to low pressure remaining over Sinaloa]. Excelsior (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved September 20, 2024.

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

External links

• The National Hurricane Center’s advisory archive on Hurricane Norma