Fausto (2008)

A tropical depression formed near 0600 UTC on 16 July 2008 about 480 nautical miles southeast of Acapulco, Mexico, from a tropical wave that crossed into the eastern Pacific on 12 July. The system became Tropical Storm Fausto six hours later, moved generally west-northwestward, strengthened into a hurricane on 18 July, turned northwest toward a weakness in the ridge on 19 July, and passed between Clarion and Socorro Islands on 20 July. Fausto weakened to a tropical storm on 21 July, became a depression on 22 July, and degenerated to a remnant low on 23 July about 665 n mi west of Cabo San Lucas, dissipating on 24 July.

Fausto did not make any mainland landfalls. Its closest approaches were near the Mexican islands of Socorro and Clarion on 20 July as it moved between them; no watches or warnings were issued for the storm.

The hurricane’s peak intensity was estimated at 80 knots (92 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 977 mb at 1200 UTC on 20 July. That peak corresponds to a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale.

Measured storm effects on the islands included sustained winds of 56 kt (gust to 82 kt) reported at Clarion Island at 1814 UTC on 20 July and a report of 69 kt sustained (gust 95 kt) at Socorro Island at 1013–1213 UTC on 20 July. The report contains no specific storm surge measurements or island rainfall totals beyond those wind observations.

There were no reports of damage or any casualties—direct or indirect—associated with Fausto. The primary regions affected were the remote Mexican islands near the storm track (Clarion and Socorro), with no known impacts on the Mexican mainland.

Noteworthy details include some uncertainty in the exact timing of the peak intensity because satellite-based estimates varied; microwave imagery suggested the eyewall was best developed around 1200 UTC 20 July. Forecasts of Fausto’s formation were generally successful, and official track and intensity forecasts had smaller-than-average errors compared with long-term means for similar forecast periods.