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Tropical Depression Sixteen

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Tropical Depression Sixteen shortly after formation on October 14, 2008.
Formed	October 14, 2008
Dissipated	October 16, 2008
Highest winds	30 mph (45 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Lowest pressure	1004 mbar (hPa; 29.65 inHg)
Fatalities	At least 75 total
Damage	At least $150 million (2008 USD)
Areas affected	Central America
Part of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Depression Sixteen was the sixteenth, and weakest, tropical cyclone of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season. Sixteen developed out of a strong tropical disturbance off the eastern coast of Nicaragua on October 13. The disturbance quickly developed into a tropical depression the next day while hugging the coastline. Due to the proximity to land, the depression failed to develop strong convection, significantly hindering intensification. Once off the northern coast of Honduras, the depression became disorganized, but managed to slightly intensify, reaching its peak intensity with winds of 30 mph (45 km/h) on the afternoon of October 15. The depression then relocated onshore and rapidly dissipated the next morning.^[1]

Heavy rainfall from the depression triggered deadly flooding in Central America which left at least 75 people dead, displaced 100,000 others, and caused at least $150 million in damage.^[2]

Contents 1 Meteorological history 2 Preparations and impact 2.1 Honduras 2.2 Belize 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Meteorological history

On the afternoon of October 13, a broad area of low pressure developed in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, about 160 mi (160 km) east-southeast of Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.^[3] The low was located in an area favorable for development and a tropical cyclone formation alert was issued shortly after the low formed.^[4] The low gradually became better organized and was determined to have become a tropical depression the next morning while located 50 mi (80 km) northeast of the Nicaragua/Honduras border. The depression was forecasted to parallel the coastline, and turn towards the west once north of Honduras, and ultimately make landfall in Belize as a tropical storm with winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) on October 18.^[5]

However, convection associated with the depression diminished and the overall structure of the storm deteriorated.^[6] The depression remained disorganized throughout the morning, despite curved banding features developing, they remained relatively far from the center of circulation.^[7] In the late afternoon, the depression relocated to the northern coastline of Honduras with winds still at 30 mph (45 km/h).^[8] Despite being overland and remaining disorganized, the depression slightly intensified to reach its peak intensity of 30 mph (45 km/h) on the afternoon of October 15. This was due to a compromise of a QuikSCAT satellite pass a ship, with the code H3VR, reporting 38 mph (61 km/h) sustained winds, and a buoy report. However, the winds were considered to be weaker than what was reported due to the ridge of high pressure located over the southern United States.^[9] The final advisory on the depression was issued the next morning as it degenerated into a remnant low.^[10]

[edit] Preparations and impact

[edit] Honduras

The National Hurricane Center issued numerous tropical storm watches throughout the storm's duration, while in Costa Rica a red alert warning was placed into effect across much of the country ^[11], and over 100,000 people were evacuated. However as the depression never reached storm strength tropical storm conditions never occurred along the watch areas.

Heavy rains from the depression's remnant low left at least 75 people dead and six missing and forced a further 100,000 people from their homes across Central America. The depression destroyed bridges, flooded villages and blocked roads.^[12] Total damage is estimated at about $150 million (2008 USD).^[13]

[edit] Belize

In Belize, outer bands from the depression produced widespread flooding that left at least $13.7 million in damages. Roughly 38,000 people were affected by the storm in 24 of the most severely affected communities. Numerous roads were washed out, isolating several communities.^[14]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tropical Depression Sixteen (2008)

• HPC rainfall page for 2008 Tropical Cyclones
• National Hurricane Center Website
• National Hurricane Center's Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook

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