Daniel (2018)

A small area of disturbed clouds along the Intertropical Convergence Zone organized into a low in late June 2018 and became a tropical depression near 0000 UTC 24 June about 630 nautical miles (n mi) south‑southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. The system strengthened to Tropical Storm Daniel by about 1200 UTC 24 June, moved northward then northwestward, passed about 100 n mi west‑southwest of Clarión Island on 25 June, weakened over cooler water, and degenerated to a remnant low near 0600 UTC 26 June about 535 n mi west‑southwest of the Baja tip. The remnant low moved west‑to‑west‑southwest and became a trough and dissipated by 28 June.

Daniel did not make landfall on any continental coast. Its closest approach to land was about 100 n mi west‑southwest of Clarión Island (part of Mexico’s Revillagigedo Islands) on 25 June; Clarión Island reported sustained winds but the center remained well offshore. No coastal watches or warnings were issued.

The storm’s peak intensity was 40 knots (46 mph) with a best‑track minimum central pressure of 1004 mb, making it a moderate tropical storm at peak. Peak intensity occurred late on 24 June and into early 25 June, based mainly on an ASCAT satellite overpass.

There were no reports of storm surge or significant rainfall associated with Daniel in coastal observation records, and the only notable surface observation was from the automated station on Clarión Island: a sustained wind of 27 kt (31 mph) with a gust to 35 kt (40 mph) at 2345 UTC 24 June. No specific storm‑surge heights or heavy rainfall totals were recorded in the official observations.

No damage or casualties were reported. Forecasts issued shortly before genesis captured the system’s development in the 48‑hour outlook; overall track and intensity forecast errors were small compared with recent averages, though the number of forecasts was small and some guidance models occasionally performed better than the official forecasts.