View source for Hurricane Olaf (2003)

{{Short description|Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 2003}}
{{good article}}
{{infobox weather event
| name = Hurricane Olaf
| image = Olaf 2003-10-05 0900Z.jpg
| caption = Hurricane Olaf approaching [[Mexico]] at peak intensity on October 5
| formed = October 3, 2003
| dissipated = October 8, 2003
}}{{infobox weather event/NWS
| winds = 65
| pressure = 987
}}{{infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 2003
| fatalities = 1
| damage = Minimal
| areas = Mexico
| refs = 
}}{{infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2003 Pacific hurricane season]]
}}

'''Hurricane Olaf''' was a minimal [[hurricane]] that impacted Mexico in October 2003. The fifteenth named storm and sixth hurricane of the [[2003 Pacific hurricane season|annual season]], Olaf formed from a [[tropical wave]] became better organized on October 2 to the south-southeast of [[Acapulco]] and developed into a depression the next day. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Olaf six hours after forming. Continued intensification occurred, and Olaf reached its peak strength as a Category 1 hurricane with 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h) winds on October 5 and developed a partial eyewall. The storm soon became disorganized and was only a hurricane for six hours, before re-curving towards the Mexican coast. The cyclone made landfall near [[Manzanillo, Colima]], on October 7 and soon dissipated overland. The storm caused severe flooding in the states of [[Jalisco]] and [[Guanajuato]]. However, no fatalities were reported.

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Olaf 2003 track.png}}
Olaf originated from a tropical wave that exited the coast of Africa on September&nbsp;17. Over the next two weeks, it moved westbound into the northeastern Pacific Ocean.<ref name="OlafTCR" /> Initially, the wave was not in an environment conductive for further development.<ref name="TWO">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/text/TWOEP/2003/TWOEP.200310022226|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|last=John Brown/Lawrence|date=2010-10-02|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|access-date=2010-07-01}}</ref> However, on October&nbsp;2, a [[low pressure area|low-level circulation]] was noted on [[satellite imagery]]. This circulation quickly became better defined over the next several hours while located 400&nbsp;mi (645&nbsp;km) south of [[Acapulco]].<ref name="OlafTCR">{{cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2003|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Olaf|access-date=2015-05-22|url={{NHC TCR url|id=EP152003_Olaf}}|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]}}</ref> The next day, [[Dvorak Technique|Dvorak Classifications]], a tool that estimates a tropical cyclone intensity, were placed at T1.5/30&nbsp;mph (50&nbsp;km/h). In addition, a ship nearby reported winds of 35&nbsp;mph (45&nbsp;km/h). Microwave imagery also indicated that the center was near the associated convection. Based on this, the system was upgraded into a tropical depression.<ref name="Disc 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep152003.discus.001.shtml?|title=Tropical Depression Eighteen-E Discussion 1|first=James|last=Franklin|date=2010-10-03|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|access-date=2010-06-29}}</ref>

Initially, wind shear from nearby [[Hurricane Nora (2003)|Tropical Storm Nora]] was expected to weaken the system, but this did not occur.<ref name="Disc 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep152003.discus.002.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Olaf Discussion 2|first=James|last=Franklin|year=2003|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|access-date=2010-06-29}}</ref> Moving northwest, it steadily intensified into a moderate tropical storm late on October&nbsp;3. The next day, Olaf weakened slightly,<ref name="OlafTCR" /> only to resume intensification roughly 24 hours later.<ref name=OlafTCR /> At that time, it was noted that additional intensification was likely.<ref name="Disc 7">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep152003.discus.007.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Olaf Discussion 7|last=Jarrvien|date=2003-10-04|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|access-date=2010-06-29}}</ref> On October&nbsp;5, radar imagery indicated a partial [[eye (cyclone)|eyewall]]. Based on this, Olaf was upgraded into a minimal hurricane; at the same time, it reached its peak intensity at 75&nbsp;mph (120&nbsp;km/h) and a barometric pressure of 987 [[Bar (unit)|millibars]]. Olaf was hurricane for only six&nbsp;hours;<ref name="OlafTCR" /> because the center was operationally believed to be further north, closer to the deep convection, Olaf was assessed in real-time to have been a hurricane for much longer.<ref name="Disc 13">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep152003.discus.013.shtml?|title=Hurricane Olaf Discussion 13|first=James|last=Franklin|date=2010-10-06|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|access-date=2010-06-30}}</ref>

Shortly after reaching its peak, Olaf began to become less organized, resulting in steady weakening while the storm's motion slowed. By early October&nbsp;6, Olaf was only a minimal tropical storm as the system recurved northwest.<ref name="OlafTCR" /> However, Olaf rapidly reorganized that afternoon and the [[National Hurricane Center]] re-assessed the intensity at 50&nbsp;mph (80&nbsp;km/h) based on increased [[rainband|banding features]].<ref name="Disc 15">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2003/dis/ep152003.discus.015.shtml?|title=Tropical Storm Olaf Discussion 15|first=James|last=Franklin|date=2003-10-06|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|access-date=2010-06-30}}</ref> Continued restrengthening occurred, and by October&nbsp;8, Olaf made [[landfall]] with winds of 60&nbsp;mph (97&nbsp;km/h) near [[Manzanillo, Colima|Manzanillo]]. Olaf weakened rapidly over the high terrain of the coast. Within 24&nbsp;hours, Olaf had dissipated inland.<ref name="OlafTCR" />

==Preparations and impact==
[[Image:Olaf-Nora2003filledrainblk.gif|thumb|left|Rainfall map with Nora]]
While Olaf was at peak strength, a [[tropical cyclone watches and warnings|tropical storm warning]] issued for Punta San Telmo to Lazaro Cardenas and a [[tropical cyclone watches and warnings|hurricane warning]] was issued from Punta San Telmo to San Blas, including the Islas Marias. The next day, the tropical storm warning was extended to include [[Manzanillo, Colima|Manzanillo]]. At that same time, a [[tropical cyclone watches and warnings|hurricane watch]] was issued from San Blas to Mazatlán. In addition, hurricane warning was extended to include areas from Manzanillo to San Blas including the Islas Marias. Three hours later, when Olaf was revealed to be much weaker, the hurricane warnings and hurricane watches were canceled. However, the tropical storm warnings remained in effect until October 7.<ref name="OlafTCR" /> A yellow alert was declared in the Mexican states of [[Michoacán]], [[Colima]], and [[Jalisco]], and a green alert was declared in [[Baja California Sur]], [[Sinaloa]], [[Nayarit]], and [[Guerrero]].<ref name="PHNO">{{cite web|url=http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=15231&tabla=primera |title=Pacific hurricanes Nora and Olaf |date=2003-10-06 |publisher=OffGuard |access-date=2010-06-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615050136/http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/impreso/noticia.html?id_nota=15231&tabla=primera |archive-date=2011-06-15 }}</ref> Local authorities also opened shelters.<ref name="MPHO">{{cite web|url=http://noticias.terra.com/articulos/act163047/mexico_se_prepara_por_huracan_olaf_mientras_larry_se_debilita/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130204033309/http://noticias.terra.com/articulos/act163047/mexico_se_prepara_por_huracan_olaf_mientras_larry_se_debilita/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-04 |title=Mexicans prepare for hurricane Olaf |last=Staff Writer |date=2003-10-06 |language=es |access-date=2010-07-02 }}</ref>

Olaf was a part of a rainy year in Mexico,<ref name="OlafTCR" /> producing more rain than [[Hurricane Nora (2003)|Hurricane Nora]].<ref name=Roth>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/noraolaf2003.html|title=Hurricanes Nora/Olaf - October 3–8, 2003|publisher=[[Hydrometeorological Prediction Center]]|author=David M. Roth|access-date=2008-10-31}}</ref> One person was killed,<ref name="CNDPD">{{cite report|author=Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil: Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres|date=March 2004|title=Informe de la Temporada de Ciclones Tropicales del 2003|publisher=El Secretario de Gobernación de Mexico|access-date=January 1, 2022|format=PDF|url=https://www.files.cenapred.unam.mx/es/BibliotecaVirtual/BibliotecaVirtualSINAPROC/CENAPRED-SINAPROC/92_Informe%20de%20la%20temporada%20de%20ciclones%20tropicales%20del%202003Pri0000.pdf|language=Spanish|archive-date=July 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705195747/https://www.files.cenapred.unam.mx/es/BibliotecaVirtual/BibliotecaVirtualSINAPROC/CENAPRED-SINAPROC/92_Informe%20de%20la%20temporada%20de%20ciclones%20tropicales%20del%202003Pri0000.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and flooding caused serve damage to roadways and crops in the Mexican state of Jalisco. In the same state, more than 12,000 homes were damaged.<ref name="OlafTCR" /> In the state of [[Guanajuato]], an estimated total of 15,000 people were impacted from the floods. In addition, two communities were isolated. After the hurricane, a program wanted donation from food to basic home supplies.<ref name="PHA">{{cite web|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/ACOS-64D6QT?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=ACOS-635P4F|title=Post-hurricane appeal|last=Staff Writer|date=2003-06-23|publisher=Reliefweb.com|access-date=2010-07-02}}</ref> Moisture from the remnants of Nora and Olaf interacted with an upper-level low to produce heavy rainfall across Texas, producing flooding near [[Waco, Texas|Waco]] that forced a family to evacuate in [[McGregor, Texas|McGregor]]. The floodwaters closed portions of [[Interstate 35 in Texas|Interstate 35]], [[U.S. Route 84]], and [[Texas State Highway 36]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|newspaper=Beaumont Enterprise|agency=Associated Press|date=2003-10-09|title=Possible tornado hits Houston suburb; floods hit Waco area|access-date=2011-06-26|url=http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/Possible-tornado-hits-Houston-suburb-floods-hit-761124.php|archive-date=2016-06-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610144649/http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/Possible-tornado-hits-Houston-suburb-floods-hit-761124.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> It also spawned a tornado in [[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]] that damaged four buildings, including a school.<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff Writer|newspaper=Reading Eagle|date=2003-10-11|title=Tornadoes Hit Part of Texas|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2011-06-26|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=V1sxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EqMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3575,5864549&dq=tropical+nora&hl=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{portal|tropical cyclone}}
*[[Tropical Storm Olaf|Other storms of the same name]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{2003 Pacific hurricane season buttons}}

[[Category:2003 Pacific hurricane season|Olaf]]
[[Category:Category 1 Pacific hurricanes|Olaf (2003)]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 2003|Olaf]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Guanajuato]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Jalisco]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Texas]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Michoacán]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Colima]]
[[Category:Hurricanes in Nayarit]]