Emilia (2018)

A tropical wave that moved off Africa in mid-June crossed Central America and entered the eastern North Pacific in late June. A broad low formed along the wave and a tropical depression was designated about 1800 UTC 27 June 2018 roughly 410 nautical miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. The system moved generally west-northwestward, became Tropical Storm Emilia at 1200 UTC 28 June, reached peak strength on 29 June, weakened to a depression by 1200 UTC 30 June, became a remnant low by 0000 UTC 2 July, and dissipated several days later more than 1,300 nautical miles west of Baja California.

Emilia remained well out to sea and did not make any landfalls. It tracked far southwest and then west-northwest of the southern Baja California Peninsula, and no coastal watches or warnings were required.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds peaked at 50 kt (about 58 mph) at 1200 and 1800 UTC 29 June, and the estimated minimum central pressure at peak was 997 mb. At peak intensity Emilia was a moderate-strength tropical storm (below hurricane strength).

There were no reports of storm surge or significant rainfall impacts from Emilia on land in the NHC report. No ship or land observations of tropical-storm-force winds were recorded, and no specific surge heights or rainfall totals at cities or counties were reported.

No damage or casualties were reported in association with Tropical Storm Emilia. The most affected area was essentially the open eastern North Pacific; coastal areas saw little or no direct effects.

Forecasts and observations: the NHC had a good forecast for the storm’s formation and its track forecasts performed better than recent averages at many lead times. Intensity forecasts were less accurate, with many models and the official forecast overestimating how slowly Emilia would weaken.