Jose (2005)

A tropical wave that moved into the southwestern Caribbean developed rapidly into Tropical Depression Eleven on 22 August 2005 about 95 nautical miles east of Veracruz, Mexico. The system strengthened to Tropical Storm Jose later that day and moved generally westward across the southern Bay of Campeche. Convection and an eyewall-like feature organized quickly before landfall; Jose weakened over the mountains of eastern Mexico and dissipated by 23 August.

Jose made landfall just north of the city of Veracruz at about 0330 UTC on 23 August 2005. At landfall the storm’s best-estimated intensity was 50 knots (about 58 mph). It weakened to a tropical depression by 1200 UTC that same day and fell apart over inland terrain later on 23 August.

The storm’s peak recorded surface-equivalent winds were about 50 kt (58 mph) at landfall, with the highest flight-level wind observed at 54 kt on 22 August. The minimum analyzed central pressure at landfall was 998 mb. At its peak Jose was a moderate tropical storm (below hurricane strength).

Heavy rainfall was the main hazard. Misantla reported the highest total with 10.04 inches. Other locations with notable totals included El Raudel (8.73 in), Cuetzalan (6.14 in), Libertad (6.00 in), Martínez de la Torre (5.74 in), and Altotonga (5.65 in). The report lists local storm-tide and surge observations but does not record widespread, large storm-surge values; specific surge heights are not given for major population centers in the summary tables.

Jose caused significant flooding and landslides in eastern Mexico. Six direct deaths were reported: one man killed in Jalapa when his home was buried by a mudslide, and five fatalities from mudslides in Oaxaca. Thousands were evacuated due to flood and landslide threats, with the heaviest impacts concentrated in Veracruz state and parts of Oaxaca.

Notably, Jose formed very close to land and intensified quickly, leaving only about 8.5 hours of lead time before landfall after the cyclone formed. Official track forecasts for Jose were unusually accurate (12- and 24-hour track errors well below 1995–2004 averages), while intensity forecasts had modest errors.