Kiko (2013)

Kiko formed from a disturbance in the eastern Pacific that became a tropical depression on 30 August 2013 about 460 nautical miles southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. It moved generally north-northwest to north-northeast, strengthened to a tropical storm on 31 August, underwent a brief period of rapid intensification, reached hurricane strength early on 1 September, then weakened quickly as wind shear increased and it moved over cooler waters. The system degenerated to a remnant low by 2 September and dissipated by 4 September about 340 nmi west of the Baja tip.

Kiko did not make any landfalls. The cyclone remained well offshore over open waters of the eastern North Pacific for its entire life, and no watches or warnings were required.

The peak intensity was estimated at 65 knots (75 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 989 mb, making Kiko a Category 1 hurricane at its strongest around 0600 and 1200 UTC 1 September 2013.

There are no reports in the record of storm surge or rainfall impacts at named coastal locations because Kiko stayed over open water. No ship reports of tropical-storm-force winds were recorded.

There were no reported deaths or damage associated with Kiko. The main impacts were limited to the oceanic environment; no coastal impacts were documented.

Noteworthy points: the storm’s genesis was not well anticipated and development occurred more quickly than forecast models expected. Operational intensity estimates initially underestimated Kiko’s peak strength; post-storm satellite analyses raised the best estimate of peak winds to 65 kt. Overall official track and intensity forecasts had larger-than-average errors for this short-lived system.