A tropical wave over Central America on 31 August developed into a broad low by 2 September. A well-defined surface low formed by 1200 UTC 4 September, and the system became a tropical depression about 0600 UTC 5 September roughly 125 nautical miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. The depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Lorena by 1200 UTC 5 September and tracked northwestward, passing close to the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula before losing organized convection and degenerating to a remnant low by 1800 UTC 7 September. The remnant low opened into a trough about 9 September well west of Santa Fe, Mexico.
Lorena did not make any direct landfalls as a tropical cyclone. It moved a short distance offshore of Baja California Sur on 6–7 September and produced tropical-storm–force conditions along parts of the coast, but all warnings were discontinued by 0600 UTC 7 September and there were no reported landfall impacts as a tropical cyclone.
The storm’s peak intensity was estimated at 45 knots (about 52 mph) from 1200 to 1800 UTC 6 September, with a minimum central pressure near 1002 millibars. That peak was supported by satellite estimates and a 10-minute 41‑kt wind report from the Mexican Navy station at Cabo Pulmo on 6 September.
Lorena produced heavy rain and rough seas near the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, but the NHC report gives no specific storm surge values at named locations. Rainfall and sea observations included the Cabo Pulmo wind report; however, no surge heights or large rainfall totals at cities or counties are listed in the report.
There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with Lorena. The southern Baja California peninsula experienced tropical-storm conditions, but no confirmed deaths or notable destruction were recorded in the NHC report.
Forecasts of Lorena’s formation had good lead time, and NHC intensity forecasts performed well compared with guidance because forecasters recognized the storm’s structural limits on strengthening. Track forecast errors were larger than recent averages, and several models outperformed the official track forecast in this case.
Paid members can generate summaries tailored to the counties of their choice. The Lorena TCR covers impacts across many counties and states — a Pinellas County resident doesn't need the Asheville detail, and a Buncombe County resident doesn't need the Tampa surge data.
Upgrade for county-specific summariesSummary above produced from the National Hurricane Center's official post-storm Tropical Cyclone Report. Read the full report for casualty lists, damage estimates by area, forecast critique, and detailed meteorological discussion:
📄 Read NHC's full report on Lorena → (opens at nhc.noaa.gov)| Time (UTC) | Status | Lat | Lon | Winds (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-09-04 12:00 | LO | 17.10 | -104.90 | 25 | 1006 | |
| 2013-09-04 18:00 | LO | 17.20 | -105.30 | 25 | 1006 | |
| 2013-09-05 00:00 | LO | 17.30 | -105.60 | 25 | 1006 | |
| 2013-09-05 06:00 | TD | 17.50 | -105.80 | 30 | 1005 | |
| 2013-09-05 12:00 | TS | 18.10 | -106.10 | 35 | 1004 | |
| 2013-09-05 18:00 | TS | 18.90 | -106.50 | 35 | 1004 | |
| 2013-09-06 00:00 | TS | 19.90 | -107.20 | 35 | 1004 | |
| 2013-09-06 06:00 | TS | 20.90 | -108.00 | 40 | 1003 | |
| 2013-09-06 12:00 | TS | 21.80 | -109.00 | 45 | 1002 | |
| 2013-09-06 18:00 | TS | 22.50 | -110.00 | 45 | 1002 | |
| 2013-09-07 00:00 | TS | 22.80 | -110.80 | 40 | 1003 | |
| 2013-09-07 06:00 | TS | 23.20 | -111.30 | 35 | 1005 | |
| 2013-09-07 12:00 | TD | 23.50 | -111.60 | 30 | 1006 | |
| 2013-09-07 18:00 | LO | 23.80 | -111.80 | 25 | 1007 | |
| 2013-09-08 00:00 | LO | 24.20 | -112.10 | 25 | 1007 | |
| 2013-09-08 06:00 | LO | 24.30 | -112.60 | 25 | 1007 | |
| 2013-09-08 12:00 | LO | 24.10 | -112.80 | 20 | 1008 | |
| 2013-09-08 18:00 | LO | 23.90 | -112.90 | 20 | 1008 | |
| 2013-09-09 00:00 | LO | 23.90 | -112.80 | 15 | 1008 |
Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center HURDAT2 best-track database (nhc.noaa.gov/data). Data is in the public domain. Best-track positions and intensities are post-storm reanalysis estimates and may differ from real-time advisories.