Nora (2009)

A tropical wave moved into the eastern North Pacific in mid-September and gradually organized into a low by 22 September. The system became a tropical depression at 0000 UTC 23 September about 560 nautical miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California, and was named Tropical Storm Nora six hours later. Nora moved generally west-northwestward and westward over warm water, reached its peak late on 23 September, and then weakened as stronger upper-level winds and cooler waters sheared the system. The cyclone degenerated to a remnant low by 0600 UTC 25 September and its remnant low persisted and moved generally west to southwest before being absorbed in the Intertropical Convergence Zone near 15°N, 133°W about four days later.

Nora remained well offshore and did not make landfall. It stayed far from the Mexican coast and Baja California throughout its life and produced no direct impacts on land according to the report.

The storm’s maximum intensity occurred around 0000 UTC 24 September, with peak sustained winds estimated at 50 knots (about 57 mph) and a minimum central pressure of 997 mb. At peak it was a moderate tropical storm (below hurricane strength).

Because Nora remained well offshore, there were no reported storm surge measurements or notable rainfall totals tied to the cyclone in populated areas. No ship reports of tropical-storm-force winds were received in association with Nora.

There were no reports of damage or casualties—no confirmed direct or indirect deaths—and no impacts attributed to the storm in the NHC report. Forecasts performed well: the genesis of Nora was anticipated in the Tropical Weather Outlook as much as 48 hours before formation, and official track and intensity forecasts were generally comparable to or better than typical guidance for the short forecast periods.