Olivia (2006)

A broad tropical wave that moved off Africa in mid‑September crossed into the eastern North Pacific at the end of September and gradually organized. A broad surface low formed and a tropical depression was estimated to have formed at 1800 UTC 9 October 2006 about 1,180 nautical miles west‑southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. The system turned northward, became Tropical Storm Olivia at 0600 UTC 10 October, accelerated northeastward, and weakened to a remnant low early on 13 October. The remnant low moved east‑southeast and was absorbed into the remnant circulation of former Tropical Storm Norman by 0000 UTC 15 October.

Olivia remained well offshore of land for its entire life. There were no landfalls associated with Olivia; it stayed over open waters of the eastern North Pacific and never approached the coast of Mexico or any other populated coastline.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 40 knots (about 46 mph) with a best‑track minimum central pressure estimated near 1000 mb, putting Olivia at the upper end of a tropical storm at peak intensity. Satellite and microwave imagery supported the peak intensity estimates. No observations of tropical‑storm‑force winds were received from ships or buoys.

Because Olivia remained far from shore, there were no reports of storm surge or coastal inundation. Rainfall was not reported for populated locations because the cyclone stayed over the open ocean; no specific rainfall totals were recorded for cities or counties in association with Olivia.

There were no reports of damage or casualties—no direct or indirect deaths were attributed to Olivia. Noteworthy aspects of the case include that the system’s genesis was well anticipated in the Tropical Weather Outlooks several days before formation, and forecasts reasonably captured the timing of weakening due to strong upper‑level wind shear. Olivia was short‑lived, never threatened land, and produced no known impacts.