Karina (2008)

Karina formed from a tropical wave that crossed Central America and developed into a low near the coast of Mexico on 30 August. A tropical depression formed at 0600 UTC 2 September about 340 nautical miles south of the southern tip of Baja California. The system strengthened to a tropical storm by 1200 UTC 2 September, remained a compact storm for about a day, and weakened to a remnant low by 1800 UTC 3 September before dissipating on 4 September.

Karina did not make landfall. Its track stayed well offshore of the Mexican coast as it moved generally west-northwestward through the eastern North Pacific, away from populated coastal areas.

The maximum intensity was 35 knots (40 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 1000 mb, reached at 1200 UTC 2 September. At its peak Karina was a minimal tropical storm (equivalent to a low-end Category 1 hurricane would be higher; Karina did not reach hurricane strength).

No storm surge reports or notable rainfall totals are listed in the official record; because Karina remained offshore and short-lived, there were no specific surge heights or heavy-rainfall accumulations reported for cities or counties in the report.

There were no reports of damage or any casualties (direct or indirect) associated with Karina. The regions most affected were limited to open-ocean areas; no impacts on Mexican coastal communities were reported.

Noteworthy points: Karina developed despite forecasts that strong upper-level winds would prevent formation, and the system was first included in official products only about six hours before genesis. The storm existed for roughly 24 hours as a tropical cyclone, and official track and intensity errors during its life were at or below average for short forecasts.