From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tropical Storm Marco (2008)
Tropical Storm Marco (2008)
Tropical Storm Marco landfall near Misantla, Veracruz. The storm rapidly
Tropical storm ( SSHS)
(SSHS) weakened after landfall, dissipating later that day. Be-
cause of its small size, Marco caused minimal damage.
However, the storm’s heavy rains led to floods up to
10 feet (3.0 m) deep that covered highways and damaged
homes.
Meteorological history
Tropical Storm Marco near peak intensity
Storm path
Formed October 6, 2008
Dissipated October 7, 2008 Tropical Storm Marco originated in a broad area of low
pressure that persisted over the northwestern Caribbean
Highest winds 1-minute sustained: in late September 2008. On October 4, a tropical wave
65 mph (100 km/h)
reached the same area, and the system spawned a cir-
Lowest pressure 998 mbar (hPa; 29.47 inHg) culation center over Belize. Development of the low was
initially inhibited by its proximity to land. As the system
Fatalities None reported
neared the Bay of Campeche, convection quickly devel-
Damage Minimal oped around the low. At 0000 UTC on October 6, the low
Areas affected Mexico
was designated as Tropical Depression Thirteen while lo-
cated over Laguna de Términos.[2] A mid-level ridge lo-
Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season cated to the north of the depression led to movement in a
general west-northwest direction. Forecasters anticipat-
Tropical Storm Marco was the smallest known tropical ed intensification through landfall because of the storm’s
cyclone on record. The thirteenth named storm of the well-developed outflow and the low wind shear and high
2008 Atlantic hurricane season, Marco developed out of sea surface temperatures in its path.[3] By 1200 UTC, the
a broad area of low pressure over the northwestern small cyclone, with a cloud shield of no more than
Caribbean during late September 2008. Influenced by a 85 miles (140 kilometers) across, was upgraded to Tropi-
tropical wave on October 4, a small low-level circulation cal Storm Marco.[2]
center developed over Belize. After crossing the southern Favorable conditions for development allowed Marco
end of the Yucatán Peninsula, the low was declared Trop- to quickly intensify throughout the day on October 6.
ical Depression Thirteen early on October 6. The depres- Early on October 7, Marco reached its peak intensity with
sion quickly intensified into a tropical storm and was giv- winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) and
en the name Marco later that day. Marco reached its peak a minimum pressure of 998 millibar (hPa; 29.47 Inches of
intensity with winds of 65 miles per hour (100 km/h) ear- mercury).[2] This was based on a reconnaissance mission
ly on October 7. Around this time, tropical storm force into Marco which recorded flight-level winds of 70 miles
winds extended 11.5 miles (18.5 km) from the center of per hour (110 km/h) which corresponded to a surface
the storm, making Marco the smallest known tropical wind speed of 61 miles per hour (98 km/h). Following the
cyclone on record.[1][2] Around 1200 UTC, Marco made quick increase in intensity, forecasters noted the possi-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tropical Storm Marco (2008)
bility of Marco intensifying into a hurricane before mak- to small ships for roughly 24.5 days and large ships were
ing landfall.[4] The storm maintained a small area of deep restricted to port for roughly five hours.[14]
convection, averaging 9.2 miles (14.8 km) in diameter, as
it continued moving towards the west-northwest.[5]
Shortly after reaching peak intensity, tropical storm
force winds extended 11.5 miles (18.5 km) from the cen-
ter of Marco.[6] At 1200 UTC, the center of Marco was es-
timated to have made landfall near Misantla, Veracruz,
with winds of 65 miles per hour (100 km/h).[2] Shortly
after making landfall, Marco rapidly weakened,[7] being
downgraded to a tropical depression six hours after land-
fall. The small depression dissipated later that day over
the mountains of Mexico.[2]
Preparations, impact and Marco shortly after being upgraded to a tropical storm on Oc-
tober 6
records
See also: Tropical cyclone warnings and watches Upon landfall, heavy rains peaking at 7.9 inches
(201 millimeters) in El Pujal, San Luis Potosí[15] and
falling at rates up to 1 inch per hour (25.4 mm/h),[2]
caused some flooding in coastal towns near Veracruz as
people evacuated to higher ground.[16] The rains from
Marco worsened flood situations in areas of Mexico al-
ready suffering from severe flooding.[10] Officials in Ver-
acruz, in their post-storm damage survey, reported that
two rivers, the Quilate and Tenoch, overflowed their
banks due to rains produced by Marco.[17] One of these
rivers left the towns of Minatitlan and Hidalgotitlan un-
der 10 ft (3 m) of water.[10] Highways along the coast of
Veracruz were also flooded.[18] Another 250 homes were
flooded when a lake and a river overflowed their
banks.[19] Thirteen municipalities within Veracruz were
affected by Marco. In Vega de Alatorre, 77 people were
evacuated to nearby shelters after their homes were in-
Tropical Storms Marco (center), Norbert (bottom left), and the undated with water. Three landslides were also reported
low that would eventually become Odile (bottom) on October 6. in Misantla Colipa; none of them caused damage.[20] In
all, Marco’s impact was light; minimal damage was
Upon the storm’s formation, the Government of Mexico recorded, and none of the estimated 400,000 people af-
issued a tropical storm warning for the Gulf of Mexico fected by the storm sustained injury.[2][21]
from Tuxpan to Punta El Lagarto.[8] That afternoon the In the wake of Marco, the General Coordination of
government issued a hurricane watch between Cabo Rojo Civil Protection of the Ministry of the Interior declared
and Veracruz, and extended the tropical storm warning a state of emergency for 48 municipalities in Ver-
northward to Cabo Rojo.[9] Officials closed schools ahead acruz.[22][23][24] Relief goods were distributed to the af-
of the storm and opened 200 shelters.[10] An estimated fected areas by October 9. The Government of Mexico re-
3,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas along ported that 4,700 blankets, 2,900 mattresses, 5,554 bottles
the coast.[11] Soldiers used school buses to transport of water (each containing 500 milliliters), 260,000 boxes
evacuees to the shelters.[10] Marco formed in the area of milk, 250,000 packages of biscuits, and 12,400 boxes of
of Mexico’s main oil-facilities,[12] leading to the evacu- school supplies had been distributed.[25]
ation of 33 workers from four platforms. Six oil wells At 0052 UTC on October 7, tropical storm force winds
and a natural gas processing plant were also shut down extended 11.5 miles (18.5 km) from the center of Marco.
in Veracruz.[10] The Mexican Secretariat of Communica- This made Marco the smallest tropical cyclone ever
tions and Transportation also closed the ports of Naut- recorded, surpassing the previous record set on Decem-
la and Alvarado to small vessels as a precautionary mea- ber 24, 1974 by Cyclone Tracy, whose tropical storm-
sure.[13] In Veracruz and Tampaulipas, ports were closed force winds extended 30 miles (48 km).[1][2][26]
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tropical Storm Marco (2008)
See also [10] ^ Associated Press (October 7, 2008). "Tropical
Storm Marco hits Mexico’s Gulf coast". USA Today.
• Other storms of the same name http://www.usatoday.com/weather/hurricane/
• List of tropical cyclone records 2008-10-07-tropical-storm-marco_N.htm.
• Timeline of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season Retrieved January 23, 2009.
• Typhoon Tip –Largest tropical cyclone on record [11] Associated Press (October 8, 2008). "Tropical Storm
Marco hits Mexico’s Gulf coast". MSNBC.
References http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27055334/wid/
16438329. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
[1] ^ Neal Dorst (May 29, 2009). "Subject: E5) Which are [12] Robert Campbell (October 6, 2008). "Tropical storm
the largest and smallest tropical cyclones on Marco forms near Mexico oil fields". Reuters.
record?". National Hurricane Center. http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E5.html. idUKTRE49582320081006. Retrieved October 8,
Retrieved May 29, 2009. 2008.
[2] ^ James L. Franklin (November 4, 2008). "Tropical [13] Hernandez, Miguel (October 7, 2008). "Tropical
Storm Marco Tropical Cyclone Report" (PDF). Storm Marco Closing in on Mexico’s Coast". ABC
National Hurricane Center. News. http://abcnews.go.com/US/
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR- WireStory?id=5970970&page=1. Retrieved May 31,
AL132008_Marco.pdf. Retrieved January 23, 2009. 2009.
[3] Rhome and Pasch (October 6, 2008). "Tropical [14] (Spanish) Staff Writer (2009). "Port Summary for
Depression Thirteen Discussion One". National 2008 Tropical Cyclones in Mexico" (PDF). General
Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Coordination of Merchant Marine and Ports.
archive/2008/al13/al132008.discus.001.shtml?. http://www.sct.gob.mx/fileadmin/CGPMM/
Retrieved January 23, 2009. huracanes/afectaciones2008.pdf. Retrieved June 2,
[4] Rhome and Pasch (October 6, 2008). "Tropical 2009.
Storm Marco Discussion Two". National Hurricane [15] (Spanish) "41st Session Country Report: Mexico".
Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ World Meteorological Organization. 2009.
al13/al132008.discus.002.shtml?. Retrieved January http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/
23, 2009. Meetings/HC31/documents/Doc4.2-4_Mexico.doc.
[5] Stewart (October 7, 2008). "Tropical Storm Marco Retrieved March 9, 2009.
Discussion Three". National Hurricane Center. [16] Staff Writer (October 7, 2008). "Tropical Storm
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/al13/ Marco lashes Mexico’s Gulf coast". Reuters.
al132008.discus.003.shtml?. Retrieved January 23, http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/
2009. idINIndia-35845720081007. Retrieved October 8,
[6] Rhome and Pasch (October 7, 2008). "Tropical 2008.
Storm Marco Discussion Five". National Hurricane [17] (Spanish) Staff Writer (October 7, 2008). "Press
Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ Release". Government of Veracruz.
al13/al132008.discus.005.shtml?. Retrieved January http://sfpsys.sefiplan.gob.mx/aplicaciones/rss/
23, 2009. Desplegar?articulo=4642. Retrieved June 2, 2009.
[7] Rhome and Pasch (October 7, 2008). "Tropical [18] Adventist Development and Relief Agency
Depression Marco Discussion Six". National International (October 10, 2008). "Mexico: Heavy
Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ rains flood Tabasco and Veracruz, ADRA responds".
archive/2008/al13/al132008.discus.006.shtml?. ReliefWeb. http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/
Retrieved January 23, 2009. db900SID/EDIS-7KAR72?OpenDocument. Retrieved
[8] Rhome and Pasch (October 6, 2008). "Tropical January 23, 2009.
Depression Thirteen Public Advisory One". [19] (Spanish) A. Timoteo, R. Villalba, R. López, S.
National Hurricane Center. Ocampo, M. Habana, S. Maldonado y E. Argüelles
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/al13/ (October 9, 2008). "Veracruz: causa Marco
al132008.public.001.shtml. Retrieved January 23, inundaciones y crecidas de ríos en 14 municipios".
2009. La Jornada. http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2008/
[9] Rhome and Pasch (October 6, 2008). "Tropical 10/09/
Storm Marco Public Advisory Two". National index.php?section=estados&article=039n1est.
Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ Retrieved January 24, 2009.
archive/2008/al13/al132008.public.002.shtml. [20] (Spanish) Notimex (October 7, 2008). "Tormenta
Retrieved January 23, 2009. "Marcos" afecta 13 municipios de Veracruz".
Millennium Publishing Group.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tropical Storm Marco (2008)
http://www.milenio.com/node/92356. Retrieved Veracruz". La Crónica de Hoy.
June 2, 2009. http://www.cronica.com.mx/
[21] Xinhua News Agency (October 7, 2008). "Tropical nota.php?id_nota=390026. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
Storm Marco hits Mexican coast, 2,000 people [26] National Hurricane Center (2009). "Atlantic Best
evacuated". Highbeam Research. Tracks, 1851 to 2008". National Oceanic and
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/ Atmospheric Administration.
1P2-19553534.html. Retrieved May 17, 2009. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/
[22] (Spanish) Notimex / Xalapa (October 8, 2008). tra51to08.txt. Retrieved May 21, 2009.
"Causa graves daños tormenta "Marco" en
Veracruz". El Siglo de Torreón.
http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/
External links
384476.causa-graves-danos-tormenta-marco-en- • The National Hurricane Center’s Tropical Cyclone
veracruz.html. Retrieved May 17, 2009. Report on Tropical Storm Marco
[23] (Spanish) Staff Writer (October 8, 2008). "Solicita • The National Hurricane Center’s Advisory Archive
Veracruz declaratoria de emergencia para 14 for Tropical Storm Marco
municipios". Revista Fundamentos. • National Weather Service Page on Tropical Cyclone
http://www.revistafundamentos.com/ Structure
index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=10928. Tropical cyclones of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
Retrieved May 17, 2009.
A B C D E F G H I Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale
[24] (Spanish) Karla Cancino (November 11, 2008).
J K L M N O 16 P TD TS C1 C2 C3 C4 C5
"Flood, a Chronicle of Tragedy". Xalapa.
http://www.imagendelgolfo.com.mx/
resumen.php?id=71722. Retrieved June 2, 2009. Book · Category · Portal · WikiProject · Com-
[25] (Spanish) Xalapa (October 9, 2008). "Continúa mons
distribución de víveres a afectados por lluvias en
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tropical_Storm_Marco_(2008)&oldid=436018610"
Categories:
• 2008 Atlantic hurricane season
• Atlantic tropical storms
• Atlantic hurricanes in Mexico
• 2008 in Mexico
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