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Tropical Storm Pilar (2023)

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Tropical Storm Pilar
Tropical Storm Pilar as it nears Central America at peak intensity on October 31, 2023
Meteorological history
FormedOctober 28, 2023
DissipatedNovember 5, 2023
Tropical storm
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds60 mph (95 km/h)
Lowest pressure996 mbar (hPa); 29.41 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities4 indirect
Damage$45 million (2023 USD)
Areas affectedCentral America (especially El Salvador)
Part of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Pilar was an erratic tropical cyclone that brought heavy rainfall to Central America, though it did not make landfall. The nineteenth tropical depression and sixteenth named storm of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season, Pilar formed on October 28, from the remnants of Atlantic Tropical Depression Twenty-One off the coast of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. After strengthening into a tropical storm, it took an east-northeastward track toward Central America, but then turned westward and moved away from land. Shear stopped the storm from strengthening and it became a remnant low on November 5, far away from the Baja California peninsula.

Heavy rains from Pilar fell upon Central America. Flash flooding there resulted in 4 deaths and damage estimated at $45 million USD.

Meteorological history

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Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On October 25, a broad area of low pressure, partially related to the remnants of Tropical Depression Twenty-One from the Atlantic basin, formed offshore Central America.[1] The low remained poorly defined and broad for a few days due to persistent easterly shear.[2] Then, after multiple bursts of central convection, the circulation became well defined enough for the system to be designated Tropical Depression Nineteen‑E on October 28.[3] The depression moved little initially, before starting to move slowly east-northeastward the following day. Deep convection then formed over the center, and it's low-level circulation tightened, allowing for the system to strengthen and become Tropical Storm Pilar around 00:00 UTC on October 30, about 255 mi (405 km) west-southwest of San Salvador, El Salvador.[2] Pilar proceeded to move slowly east-northeastward,[4] while experiencing erratic bursts of convection and battling moderate easterly wind shear.[5] Pilar reached a peak intensity of 65 mph (100 km/h) early on November 1, about 90 mi (150 km) off the coast of El Salvador. Around this time, a strong cold front approaching from the northwestern Caribbean Sea and its associated mid-level ridge began redirecting the storm, which turned sharply northward and then westward, out to sea.

The system moved quickly west-southwestward the following day, weakening along the way due to an influx of drier air brought about by the Gulf of Tehuantepec gap-wind flow it was embedded within.[2] The storm slowed down on November 5, and turned northwestward in response to a mid-level trough extending southwest of the Baja California peninsula.[6] Later that day, Pilar became bereft of organized convection, and degenerated into a post-tropical remnant low at 18:00 UTC. It later opened up into a trough late on November 7.[2]

Preparations and impact

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Pilar near its secondary peak intensity on November 4

A Tropical Storm Watch was issued on October 29 for the Pacific coast of El Salvador.[2] The government of El Salvador put the country on alert and declared a national emergency. School classes were cancelled across El Salvador, and around 100 shelters were prepared.[7][8] The following day, a Tropical Storm Watch was issued from Puerto Sandino, Nicaragua, to the Honduras–Nicaragua border, and for the Pacific coast of Honduras.[2] Additionally, the government of Costa Rica issued an Orange Alert as the storm neared Central America on October 31.[9]

Heavy rainfall from Pilar inundated parts of El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala, flooding several rivers, which caused damage to homes, infrastructure, and crops.[2][10][11] Recorded rainfall totals were highest in southeastern El Salvador, where a total of 8.89 in (225.9 mm) was reported near Beneficio La Carrera.[2] Pilar caused four flood-related deaths. Three people in El Salvador drowned: a 24-year-old man in La Unión, a 57-year-old woman in the same municipality, and a 31-year-old man in Nueva Granada. The fourth death occurred in Honduras. Several hundred people in the two countries, as well as in neighboring Guatemala moved to shelters during the storm.[2][10][11] Pilar also brought heavy rainfall to western Nicaragua, displacing several families.[12] The Professional services firm AON estimated a total storm loss of $45 million.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bucci, Lisa; Zelensky, Rachel (October 25, 2023). Tropical Weather Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Blake, Eric (March 8, 2024). Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Pilar (PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Blake, Eric (October 28, 2023). Tropical Depression Nineteen-E Discussion Number 1 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  4. ^ Kelly, Larry (October 31, 2023). Tropical Storm Pilar Discussion Number 13 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  5. ^ Papin, Philippe (October 31, 2023). Tropical Storm Pilar Discussion Number 14 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  6. ^ Berg, Robbie (November 5, 2023). Tropical Storm Pilar Discussion Number 32 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  7. ^ "Tropical Storm Pilar dumps heavy rains on Central America, leaving at least 2 dead". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. October 31, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  8. ^ "Tormenta tropical Pilar provoca lluvias en Nicaragua" [Tropical storm Pilar brings rain to Nicaragua]. El Diario Nica (in Spanish). October 30, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Costa Rica on Alert as Tropical Storm Pilar Advances". The Tico Times. San José, Costa Rica. October 31, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Oberholtz, Chris; Andrews, Hillary (November 4, 2023). "Deadly Tropical Storm Pilar slowly unraveling after assault on Central America". FOX Weather. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Four dead as Tropical Storm Pilar dumps heavy rains on C. America". phys.org. November 1, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  12. ^ "Disaster Alert: Tropical Storm Pilar in Nicaragua". Compassion International. November 2, 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
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