Barbara (2007)

A tropical depression formed about 100 nautical miles south-southeast of Puerto Escondido, Mexico, on 29 May 2007 after a tropical wave crossed Central America. The system strengthened into Tropical Storm Barbara on 30 May, weakened briefly on 31 May, then regained strength and moved slowly northeastward. Barbara was short-lived, existing from 29 May until it dissipated over southeastern Mexico late on 2 June 2007.

Barbara made a single documented landfall on 2 June about 20 nautical miles northwest of the Mexico–Guatemala border (near latitude 14.7°N, longitude 92.5°W). At landfall the storm had maximum sustained winds of 45 knots (about 52 mph) and began to decay rapidly over the rugged terrain near Tapachula, Mexico, becoming a depression by the evening of 2 June and dissipating that same day.

The storm’s peak intensity was 45 knots (about 52 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 1000 mb, corresponding to a moderate tropical storm (not a hurricane). The National Hurricane Center’s best track shows this peak on 1–2 June 2007; the temporary weakening to 30 knots early on 1 June was later followed by re-strengthening to 45 knots.

Storm surge reports were limited in the official record. Rainfall totals included nearly 5 inches (about 127 mm) at Huixtla, Mexico, on 2 June, and several other locations in extreme southeastern Mexico reported 2–4 inches. Sustained winds of tropical-storm force (40 kt) were reported at Tecún Umán, Guatemala (near the border, about 15 miles from the Pacific coast), and an automated station at Puerto Madero, Mexico (about 20 miles southwest of Tapachula) reported sustained winds of 31 kt with gusts to 46 kt near landfall.

There were no widespread reports of structural collapse, but coastal areas near the Mexico–Guatemala border experienced damaged roofs and downed trees. Flooding from heavy rain washed out a bridge in coastal Guatemala. Agricultural losses in southeastern Mexico were significant, with estimated crop damage exceeding $50 million (U.S.). The report does not list a confirmed death toll attributable to Barbara.

Noteworthy aspects include the storm’s weak steering environment, which made track forecasts erratic and produced a consistent westward bias in official forecasts; some numerical models better captured the eventual eastward motion. Forecasts initially overestimated the potential intensity (some predicted a hurricane), and the short lifespan limited long-range verification.