Andres (2009)

A tropical wave that moved off Central America developed into Tropical Depression Two-E on 21 June 2009 about 150 nautical miles south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. It strengthened to Tropical Storm Andres the same day and turned northwest, moving roughly parallel to Mexico’s southwestern Pacific coast. Andres steadily intensified over warm water and reached its peak on 23 June as it passed about 70 nautical miles southwest of Lázaro Cárdenas. The storm weakened as northeasterly wind shear increased and it moved over cooler waters, becoming a tropical storm late on 23 June, a tropical depression by midday 24 June, and then an open trough by the evening of 24 June.

Andres did not make landfall; its center remained offshore as it paralleled the coast of southwestern Mexico. Although Mexican authorities issued watches and warnings (including a Hurricane Warning for portions of the coast from Punto San Telmo to Cabo Corrientes on 22 June), hurricane-force winds did not reach the coastline and the warnings were discontinued as the storm weakened.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds were estimated at 80 mph (70 knots) and the minimum central pressure at 984 mb, making Andres a Category 1 hurricane at peak intensity on 23 June. Aircraft reconnaissance (SFMR and dropwindsondes) provided the key observations indicating those peak winds, even though operational satellite estimates had been lower at the time.

Storm surge reports were limited; no specific coastal surge measurements are given in the report. Rainfall reports from southwestern Mexico were also not received in the official record, although local accounts and press reports noted heavy rain that flooded homes in part of Acapulco and prompted evacuation of about 200 people. The highest land-based wind measurement reported was 35 mph sustained (30 kt) with a 46 mph (40 kt) gust at Manzanillo late on 23 June; no sustained tropical-storm-force winds were recorded at land stations in association with Andres.

Andres was responsible for one confirmed fatality: a man drowned while fishing in rough seas near Tecpan de Galeana (between Acapulco and Zihuatanejo). Press accounts and official sources indicated only minimal overall damage along the southwestern coast, including some downed trees and localized flooding. Forecasts and watches generally anticipated development well in advance; NHC track forecasts were more accurate than average for this storm, while intensity forecasts proved somewhat more difficult.