A tropical storm formed about 275 nautical miles south of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula at 1800 UTC on 30 August 2017. Lidia moved generally north-northwest to northwest, passing near Cabo San Lucas and then tracking along the west coast of the Baja California peninsula. The system weakened as it crossed the peninsula, briefly moved back over water, and became a remnant low by 0600 UTC 3 September, dissipating later that day over cold waters west of Baja California.
Lidia made two coast crossings on the peninsula. The first landfall was near Punta Márquez, west of La Paz, around 1200 UTC 1 September with maximum sustained winds of 50 kt (58 mph) and a central pressure of 990 mb. The center crossed the peninsula and moved back over water, then made a second coast crossing near Punta Abreojos about 0600 UTC 2 September with estimated winds of 40 kt (46 mph).
The storm’s peak intensity was estimated at 55 kt (63 mph) at 1800 UTC 31 August, with the lowest analyzed central pressure near 986 mb (reported at 0000 UTC 1 September). At peak, Lidia was a strong tropical storm (below hurricane strength).
Storm surge and heavy rain affected southern Baja California Sur and nearby mainland areas. The highest reported rainfall was 18.9 inches (479.8 mm) at Sierra Laguna on the peninsula. Tropical-storm-force winds reached Cabo San Lucas (sustained near 54 kt at an elevated station) and were reported as far east as Los Mochis and Topolobampo on the mainland. Local surge heights were not quantified in the report, but coastal flooding and impacts to shores and ports were noted around Los Cabos and other coastal towns.
According to Mexican officials and media reports, Lidia caused five direct deaths (including drownings and flood-related incidents) and two indirect deaths from electrocution by downed power lines. Baja California Sur was particularly affected: power outages, damaged homes and roads, and about 3,000 people sheltered. Significant debris and local destruction were reported in Los Cabos and nearby communities.
Notable items: the storm’s development was well forecast, with potential-cyclone advisories issued before genesis and official track and intensity forecasts that performed better than recent average errors. Lidia was a relatively large tropical storm with tropical-storm-force winds extending far east of the center, and it produced intense localized rainfall on the southern Baja California peninsula.
Paid members can generate summaries tailored to the counties of their choice. The Lidia 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 Lidia → (opens at nhc.noaa.gov)| Time (UTC) | Status | Lat | Lon | Winds (kt) | Pressure (mb) | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-08-29 18:00 | DB | 17.00 | -107.00 | 25 | 1006 | |
| 2017-08-30 00:00 | DB | 17.50 | -107.70 | 25 | 1006 | |
| 2017-08-30 06:00 | DB | 18.20 | -108.20 | 25 | 1005 | |
| 2017-08-30 12:00 | DB | 19.00 | -108.50 | 30 | 1003 | |
| 2017-08-30 18:00 | TS | 19.80 | -108.70 | 35 | 1001 | |
| 2017-08-31 00:00 | TS | 20.40 | -109.00 | 35 | 998 | |
| 2017-08-31 06:00 | TS | 21.00 | -109.30 | 40 | 996 | |
| 2017-08-31 12:00 | TS | 21.80 | -109.60 | 45 | 994 | |
| 2017-08-31 18:00 | TS | 22.40 | -110.00 | 55 | 991 | |
| 2017-09-01 00:00 | TS | 22.90 | -110.30 | 55 | 986 | |
| 2017-09-01 06:00 | TS | 23.40 | -110.70 | 55 | 987 | |
| 2017-09-01 12:00 | TS | 24.00 | -110.90 | 50 | 990 | |
| 2017-09-01 18:00 | TS | 25.10 | -111.60 | 50 | 991 | |
| 2017-09-02 00:00 | TS | 26.00 | -112.40 | 45 | 993 | |
| 2017-09-02 06:00 | TS | 26.80 | -113.20 | 40 | 995 | |
| 2017-09-02 12:00 | TS | 27.60 | -113.90 | 35 | 997 | |
| 2017-09-02 18:00 | TS | 28.30 | -114.70 | 35 | 1000 | |
| 2017-09-03 00:00 | TD | 28.90 | -115.40 | 30 | 1002 | |
| 2017-09-03 06:00 | LO | 29.30 | -115.90 | 30 | 1003 | |
| 2017-09-03 12:00 | LO | 29.90 | -116.90 | 30 | 1003 |
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.