Barbara (2013)

A tropical depression formed about 110 nautical miles south-southeast of Puerto Angel, Mexico, at 1200 UTC on 28 May 2013. The system strengthened quickly into Tropical Storm Barbara six hours later and then underwent rapid intensification while moving northeast toward the southern Mexico coast. Barbara reached hurricane strength by 1800 UTC 29 May and moved generally northeastward across southern Mexico before weakening over the Sierra Madre and degenerating into a remnant low over the Bay of Campeche on 30 May. The cyclone existed as a tropical system from 28–30 May 2013.

Barbara made landfall on the Pacific coast near the border of the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas around 1950 UTC on 29 May 2013, about 15 nautical miles west-southwest of Tonalá, Chiapas. It struck as a hurricane and then rapidly weakened as it moved inland; by 0000 UTC 30 May it was a tropical storm and it became a tropical depression by 0600 UTC 30 May before losing its tropical cyclone characteristics later that day.

Peak intensity at landfall was estimated at 70 knots (80 mph) with a minimum central pressure of about 983 mb, corresponding to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Post-storm satellite and microwave analyses supported the 70‑kt peak, and nearby surface stations recorded strong winds and low pressures consistent with these values.

Storm surge and heavy rains caused notable coastal and inland impacts. Measured wind gusts included 65 kt at Paredón and 56 kt at Arriaga, Chiapas. Arriaga reported a 24‑hour rainfall total of 16.83 inches ending 1200 UTC 30 May; statewide in Chiapas rainfall of 4–8 inches was common with isolated amounts of 12–16 inches. Reported station pressures adjusted to sea level were about 988.6 mb at Arriaga; nearby observations at Tonalá and Paredón also recorded strong winds and low pressures. (No ship reports of tropical-storm-force winds were received.)

Authorities reported three direct deaths in Mexico associated with Barbara: one U.S. citizen drowned in rough surf near Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, and two Mexican residents drowned in floodwaters in Oaxaca (one crossing a swollen creek and one in a river in Santa Cruz Zenzontepec). Fourteen fishermen were briefly reported missing but media later indicated they were accounted for. Rain and wind damaged agriculture, including about 3,500 hectares of mango production with estimated losses of 10–15 million pesos (roughly $750,000–$1.1 million USD); comprehensive damage totals were not available.

Noteworthy aspects include that Barbara’s landfall near the Oaxaca–Chiapas border was the easternmost recorded eastern North Pacific hurricane landfall, and its landfall date (29 May) was the second-earliest hurricane landfall in the basin since 1949. NHC forecasts captured the system’s development well, but many operational intensity guidance products did not predict the rapid strengthening just before landfall. Track forecasts initially had a westward bias relative to the actual, more easterly, landfall location.