Lane (2006)

A tropical depression formed about 100 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, at 1800 UTC on 13 September 2006 from a tropical wave. The system became Tropical Storm Lane early on 14 September and moved generally northwestward, roughly parallel to the Pacific coast of Mexico. It strengthened to a hurricane on 15 September, passed about 30 nmi west of Cabo Corrientes and impacted the Islas Marias early on 16 September, then turned north-northwest and approached the mouth of the Gulf of California before making landfall on 16 September. Lane weakened rapidly over the rugged terrain and dissipated late on 17 September.

Lane made landfall on the Pacific coast of mainland Mexico at 1915 UTC on 16 September on the Peninsula de Guevodo in the state of Sinaloa, about 15 nautical miles southeast of El Dorado. At landfall it was assessed as a major hurricane (Category 3) with estimated sustained winds of 110 knots (see below) and a central pressure near 954–955 mb.

Maximum intensity was estimated at 110 knots (about 125 mph) with a minimum central pressure of about 952–955 millibars on 16 September, corresponding to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Aircraft measurements included a 700-mb flight-level wind of 110 kt (roughly 100 kt at the surface) and an eyewall dropsonde that measured a surface wind of 108 kt; the best-track peak of 110 kt is based on satellite estimates and the low aircraft-measured pressure.

Significant rainfall and coastal flooding occurred over a wide area of western Mexico. A 24-hour rainfall total of 10.24 inches was reported at San Lorenzo in Sinaloa. A NOAA temporary tower at Estacion Obispo, about 10 nmi inland near the landfall point, measured a 1-minute sustained wind of 81 kt with a gust to 105 kt at 1930 UTC on 16 September and a sea-level pressure of 966 mb at 1945 UTC before the tower was destroyed. Storm-surge observations for the landfall area were not available. Heavy rains and high waves also left more than a foot of water in some streets of Acapulco (Guerrero).

Media and official reports attributed four direct fatalities to Lane, primarily from floods and mudslides. Damage was heaviest in Sinaloa near the landfall area, with many streets and homes flooded in El Dorado, Culiacan, and Mazatlán; a bridge between Culiacan and Mazatlán was destroyed. Flooding and mudslides affected agriculture and transportation in many coastal states including Michoacán, Colima, Jalisco, and Guerrero; about 200 homes were flooded in Acapulco and one person was reported missing when a boat capsized offshore.

Lane stayed close to the Mexican coast for its entire short life, which led to heavy rains over a broad area even where the center did not make landfall. Forecasts initially underestimated the rapid intensification into a major hurricane, producing a low bias in intensity forecasts during the strengthening phase; however, official track forecasts generally performed better than most guidance, and Mexican authorities issued watches and warnings (including hurricane warnings) with roughly 17–29 hours lead time for key areas such as the Islas Marias and the eventual landfall region.