Nate (2011)

Nate formed from a frontal trough in the southern Gulf of Mexico and became a tropical cyclone about 1800 UTC on 7 September 2011 roughly 140 nautical miles north of Villahermosa, Mexico. The system drifted and looped in the Bay of Campeche, briefly became a hurricane on 8 September, weakened to a tropical storm on 9 September, re-intensified somewhat on 10 September, and moved west-northwest before the low-level center crossed the northeastern Mexico coast. Nate degenerated to a remnant low by 0000 UTC 12 September and dissipated by 0600 UTC that day.

The center of Nate made landfall near Barra de Tecolutla, Veracruz, Mexico around 1600 UTC on 11 September 2011 as a weakening tropical storm with estimated sustained winds near 40 kt (about 45 mph). The mid-level center moved inland earlier north of Veracruz; rapid weakening occurred after the coastal crossing and the system dissipated over central Mexico later that day.

Nate’s peak intensity was assessed at 65 kt (75 mph) at 1800 UTC on 8 September with a minimum central pressure near 994 mb, corresponding to a Category 1 hurricane at its peak. Peak surface wind estimates include a PEMEX oil-rig measurement (Eco-1) of a 1-minute wind of 72 kt at 30 m, adjusted to about 67 kt at 10 m for the best-track estimate.

Storm surge and rainfall were modest. Reported storm surge/water heights are limited in the report, but several marine and coastal stations recorded elevated water levels; for example, marine observations at Veracruz harbor and nearby Sacrifice Island and La Mancha Beach recorded sustained winds and tide/pressure changes (storm tide and surge entries in the official tables). Rainfall totals included up to 1.0–1.5 inches at some coastal stations in the Veracruz area (selected surface observations show totals listed, with Poza Rica reporting 1.0 in on 11/1643 UTC); offshore buoys and PEMEX platforms recorded strong winds and rough seas.

There were four direct deaths and one indirect death associated with Nate. Fatalities included three oil-rig workers recovered after evacuating the Trinity II rig (one of whom later died) and a nine-year-old child in Veracruz killed by lightning. No serious widespread structural damage was reported at landfall, though press reports indicated about 800 homes in Veracruz were damaged; no monetary damage estimate was provided.

Noteworthy items: Nate’s formation was not well anticipated—its precursor disturbance was given only a low chance of development 30 hours before genesis. Forecast track errors were below recent 5‑year means through 48 hours but larger at 72–96 hours; intensity forecasts were biased high after about 36 hours because ocean upwelling and dry air limited strengthening. Nate produced significant ocean cooling in the Bay of Campeche due to its slow motion and broad wind field.