Alma (2008)

Alma formed from a broad area of low pressure rather than a typical tropical wave. The low developed into a tropical depression at 0000 UTC on 29 May 2008 about 85 nautical miles west-northwest of Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica. The system moved northward and strengthened quickly on 29 May, reaching tropical storm strength six hours after formation and showing an eye-like feature on satellite imagery later that day. Alma weakened after moving inland and dissipated over the mountains of western Honduras by 1800 UTC 30 May. A remnant circulation moved into the western Caribbean and contributed to the formation of Atlantic Tropical Storm Arthur on 31 May.

Alma made landfall on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua near the city of León at about 1945 UTC on 29 May 2008 while still a tropical storm. After crossing Nicaragua it remained at tropical-storm strength briefly as it entered southern Honduras just after 0000 UTC on 30 May, then weakened to a depression and dissipated over western Honduras later that day.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds were estimated at 55 knots (about 63 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 994 mb; that was Alma’s peak intensity on 29 May, and it remained a strong tropical storm rather than reaching hurricane strength.

Alma produced heavy rainfall across Central America. In Costa Rica the highest reported 28–29 May total was 14.82 inches at Quepos; other large totals included 13.93 inches at La Ceiba and 13.27 inches at Pto. Seco. In Nicaragua the highest reported 29–30 May totals were 11.72 inches at Punto Sandino, 10.52 inches at Chinandega, and 9.60 inches at Monterosa. Observations near the Nicaraguan coast reported storm tides and local surge effects (for example, Corinto recorded sustained tropical-storm-force winds and Punta Sandino and other coastal sites recorded substantial rainfall), but specific widespread surge heights beyond individual station reports were limited in the record.

Alma was responsible for at least two direct deaths and seven indirect deaths. Direct fatalities included a girl swept away in Honduras and occupants lost when a fishing vessel sank; several other fishermen were reported missing. Indirect deaths included two electrocutions in Nicaragua and several deaths associated with a plane accident at Tegucigalpa’s Toncontín Airport, where a flight skidded off the runway; that accident was partly attributed to weather from Alma and resulted in five fatalities. The worst damage was in Costa Rica, especially in the Guanacaste and Puntarenas areas, where more than 1,000 homes were damaged, about 150 destroyed, and over 100 roads and bridges were damaged; reported monetary losses in Costa Rica were about $33 million (US). Nicaragua and Honduras also reported damaged homes and infrastructure.

Notable points: Alma was the first eastern North Pacific tropical storm or hurricane on record to make landfall on the Pacific coast of Central America (records back to 1949). The storm’s genesis was well anticipated by forecasts, and official track forecasts correctly predicted landfall on Nicaragua’s northwest coast, though the storm moved ashore slightly earlier than some forecasts expected.