Jova (2017)

Tropical Storm Jova formed from the mid-level remnants of Atlantic Hurricane Franklin after those remnants crossed Mexico and emerged over the eastern North Pacific near Manzanillo. A surface circulation developed and the system became a tropical depression by 1200 UTC 11 August 2017 about 130 nautical miles west‑southwest of Manzanillo, and it strengthened to tropical storm status by 1800 UTC that day. Jova moved generally west‑northwestward away from the Mexican coast and lasted only a short time as a tropical cyclone, weakening to a depression by 1800 UTC 12 August and degenerating to a remnant low by 1800 UTC 13 August well offshore of Baja California. The remnant low persisted and opened into a trough by 0600 UTC 17 August between southern Baja California and Hawaii.

There were no reported landfalls by Jova. The storm developed and remained over open water off the west coast of Mexico and did not make landfall on the Mexican mainland or the Baja California peninsula during its lifespan. No coastal watches or warnings were issued for Jova.

Jova’s peak intensity was 35 knots (about 40 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 1003 mb, reached from 1800 UTC 11 August through 1200 UTC 12 August. On the Saffir–Simpson scale this corresponds to a weak tropical storm (below hurricane strength). Ship reports and satellite scatterometer data supported the 35‑kt peak intensity.

Storm surge impacts were not reported for coastal communities in association with Jova, and there are no notable coastal surge heights listed in the observations. Rainfall totals tied directly to Jova are not recorded in the report for named cities or counties; the system remained offshore and the primary observations used for the best track were ship reports and satellite data (for example, the tanker WDF4764 reported 38 kt at 1800 UTC 11 August and 1003 mb pressure).

There were no casualties or damage reports associated with Jova. The areas most affected in a meteorological sense were offshore waters west of Manzanillo and out into the eastern North Pacific, but no direct impacts on populated areas were documented. Forecasting Jova’s genesis was challenging because it originated from remnants crossing Mexico; the National Hurricane Center first mentioned development potential 78 hours before formation and only raised the genesis probability to high about 6 hours before formation. Overall short‑term track and intensity forecasts for Jova were comparable to or better than recent averages for the limited verifying times available.