Agatha (2004)

A well-organized area of disturbed weather that moved westward from the Caribbean into the eastern North Pacific became a tropical depression at 0000 UTC on 22 May 2004 about 500 nautical miles south‑southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The system moved slowly northwestward. It strengthened to Tropical Storm Agatha by 1200 UTC 22 May, reached its peak around 0000 UTC 23 May, then weakened over cooler waters and stable air, degenerating into a remnant low by 1200 UTC 24 May and dissipating by 0000 UTC 26 May.

Agatha did not make landfall. Its track remained well offshore of Mexico as it moved generally toward the northwest while remaining over open water throughout its life.

The maximum intensity estimated for Agatha was 50 knots (about 58 mph) with a minimum central pressure near 997 millibars at 0000 UTC 23 May. At peak it was a moderate tropical storm (below hurricane strength). The peak intensity estimate is noted to be somewhat uncertain because microwave satellite imagery showed a ring of deep convection that resembled an eyewall and might indicate the cyclone was stronger than the standard satellite estimates suggested.

Storm surge and heavy rainfall impacts were not reported. There are no listed observations of storm surge heights or notable rainfall totals associated with Agatha in the official record, and the storm remained far enough offshore that it produced no reported coastal inundation or significant rains at named cities or counties.

There were no reported deaths or damage associated with Agatha. Forecast track errors for this short‑lived storm were smaller than the 1994–2003 average at 12–48 hour ranges, and average official intensity errors were similar to or slightly larger than the 10‑year averages. The report notes the storm’s brief life and the uncertainty in the peak intensity estimate due to the microwave-observed convective ring.