Douglas (2008)

A tropical depression formed from a westward-moving tropical wave that crossed Central America and developed a circulation south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The depression was identified at 1800 UTC on 1 July 2008 about 245 nautical miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Douglas at 1200 UTC on 2 July, moved generally northwestward along the southwest coast of Mexico, weakened to a depression by 1800 UTC on 3 July, became a remnant low by 0600 UTC on 4 July, and dissipated a few days later after turning westward.

Douglas did not make any recorded landfalls. It remained offshore along the southwest coast of Mexico while passing near coastal areas such as Manzanillo and close enough to prompt local impacts, but no formal tropical cyclone landfall was reported in the official best track.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 35 knots (40 mph) at 1200 UTC on 2 July, with a recorded minimum central pressure of 1003 mb. At its peak intensity Douglas was a weak tropical storm (below hurricane strength) and never grew beyond that stage.

Outer rainbands and gusty winds affected coastal areas. Tropical-storm-force gusts were reported at Manzanillo. The report does not list widespread storm surge measurements; no specific surge heights were recorded in the report. Rainfall totals in the NHC report are not given as specific amounts for other named cities or counties beyond references to showers and outer rainbands producing gusts and showers along the coast.

No casualties or damage were reported in association with Douglas. The storm was short-lived and relatively weak, producing only localized showers and gusts along the Mexican Pacific coast. Forecasters had highlighted the disturbance in outlooks beginning 28 June, and the NHC issued no watches or warnings for Douglas; average track errors for this storm were larger than the recent 5-year mean, while intensity forecast errors were similar to or smaller than long-term averages.