Tropical Storm Kiko (2007)

Tropical Storm Kiko was a strong tropical storm that

capsized a boat o the western coast of Mexico, killing
at least 15 people. The 15th and nal tropical cyclone of
the 2007 Pacic hurricane season, Kiko developed out
of a tropical wave that formed o the coast of Africa
on September 26 and traversed the Atlantic. The wave
crossed over Central America and entered the Pacic
Ocean on October 8, where it spawned Tropical Depression 15-E on October 15. The depression drifted to
the south over the next day before briey being declared
Tropical Storm Kiko. It subsequently weakened into a
tropical depression, but later reattained tropical storm
intensity. By October 18, Kiko was forecast to make
landfall along the western Mexican coastline as a moderate tropical storm. However, the cyclone turned to the
west and reached its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h)
on October 20. The tropical storm slowly weakened to a
remnant low-pressure area by October 24 and completely
dissipated on October 27 without making landfall.

developed along the wave around 275 miles (440 kilometres) south of Acapulco, Mexico. However, the low remained disorganized because of strong upper-level winds.
On October 13, the low became better organized due to
a relaxation in the shear.[1] The low developed enough
convection late on October 14 to be declared Tropical Depression Fifteen-E while located about 435 mi (705 km)
southwest of Colima, Mexico.[2]
The depression was embedded within a broad, low-level
cyclone with weak steering currents that caused FifteenE to drift southward for the next 30 hours.[1] On October
16, strong easterly wind shear exposed the center of the
depression from shower and thunderstorm activity. However, a curving convective band developed around the system, and satellites detected winds of 40 mph (65 km/h).
This prompted the National Hurricane Center to upgrade
the depression to Tropical Storm Kiko as it drifted about
430 mi (695 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[3]
The intensication was short-lived, and Kiko was downgraded to a tropical depression six hours later when the
center separated from diminishing convection.[4] On October 17, the storm was upgraded to a tropical storm
when the low became associated with deep convection.[5]
The center remained poorly dened, and winds of tropical storm-force blew only in Kikos southwest quadrant.
Over the next few days, Kiko moved slowly towards the
east-northeast as a minimal tropical storm and was forecast to either brush land or to make landfall along the
Mexican coast on October 19 or October 20.[6] However,
early on October 19, Kiko turned to the northwest when
a high-pressure ridge developed over Mexico.[1] Forecasters predicted that the storm would become a strong
Category 1 hurricane as it turned away from Mexico and
headed to sea.[7]

Meteorological history

As the ridge pushed the storm away from the coast,

weaker wind shear and warm sea-surface temperatures
allowed Kiko to gradually intensify. The storm reached
its peak intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) 991 mbar (hPa;
29.28 inHg) late on October 20 while located around 175
mi (280 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. As
it moved away from the coast, an eye began to form.[1][8]
Shortly thereafter, shear increased and began to separate
the low from the deep convection.[9] By the afternoon
of October 21, the storm was poorly organized and the
center was partially exposed. At this time, the weakening system had winds sustained at 50 mph (85 km/h).[10]
Early on October 22, a brief burst in showers and thunderstorms allowed the storm to maintain its intensity.[11]
That evening, Kiko was downgraded to a tropical depres-

Map plotting the track and intensity of the storm according to the
SarSimpson hurricane wind scale

A tropical wave exited the western coast of Africa on

September 26, quickly spawning an area of low pressure.
Upon the formation of the low, the wave split into two
pieces and a second area of low pressure developed along
the southern portion of the wave as it traveled west. The
northern low quickly developed, spawning Tropical Depression Fourteen on September 28. The southern low
attached to the wave failed to develop and moved away
from the intensifying tropical depression. It continued
through the Atlantic, entering the Pacic Ocean, after
crossing Central America, on October 8. A broad area of
low pressure accompanied by showers and thunderstorms
1

REFERENCES

sion as strong wind shear removed convection from the were never found.[19]
storms center and exposed the low.[12] As the depression
moved over a dryer and more hostile area, two inhibiting
factors for development of tropical cyclones, it slowly 3 See also
weakened.[1] It lost almost all convection and degenerated to a remnant low-pressure area on October 23, and
Other tropical cyclones named Kiko
the National Hurricane Center issued its nal advisory
Other East Pacic tropical storms
that night.[13] The remnant low moved west before dissipating on October 27 over open waters.[1]
List of Pacic hurricanes

Preparations and impact

Timeline of the 2007 Pacic hurricane season

4 References
[1] Michelle Mainelli (2007-11-18). Tropical Storm Kiko
Tropical Cyclone Report (PDF). National Hurricane
Center. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
[2] Rhome (2007-10-14). Tropical Depression 15-E Discussion Number 1. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-07-27.
[3] Avila (2007-10-16). Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion
Number 7. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 200807-27.
[4] Avila (2007-10-16). Tropical Depression Kiko Discussion Number 8. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-07-27.
Tropical Storm Kikos projected path on October 18, showing the
storm striking the Mexican coast

[5] Pasch (2007-10-17). Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion

Number 10. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-09-16.

On October 18, a tropical storm warning was issued along [6]

the Mexican coastline from Zihuatanejo, Guerrero to
Manzanillo, Colima, and a tropical storm watch extended
northward to La Fortuna, Mexico, as Kiko was forecast
[7]
to make landfall in that region on October 21. Abovenormal tides and dangerous waves were expected along
the coast.[14] Rainfall totals of 4 inches (100 millimetres)
to 7 in (180 mm) were possible over southwestern Mex- [8]
ico with isolated totals reaching 10 in (250 mm). As a
precaution, port captains shut down shipping and advised
residents to avoid low-lying areas that might ood.[1][15]
[9]
Civil Defense advised these residents to move to temporary shelters and tourists were told to stay indoors.[16]
Emergency procedures were on standby in case condi[10]
tions became more threatening.[17]

Pasch (2007-10-18). Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion

Number 14. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-07-27.
Blake/Avila (2007-10-18). Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion Number 17. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-07-27.
Beven (2007-10-20). Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion
Number 24. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-07-27.
Rhome (2007-10-21). Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion
Number 27. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-11-22.
Rhome (2007-10-21). Tropical Storm Kiko Discussion
Number 28. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-11-22.

As the storm neared land, a ridge over Mexico prevented

Kiko from coming ashore, resulting in far less damage
[11] Franklin (2007-10-22). Tropical Storm Kiko Discusthan forecast.[1] As Kiko traveled parallel to the coast,
sion Number 30. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
heavy rain aected the region for two days.[15][18] In
2008-11-22.
Kikos rough seas o the coast of Mexico, a ship capsized with twenty-ve passengers and crew.[19] Continued [12] Rhome (2007-10-22). Tropical Depression Kiko Discussion Number 32. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
eects from Kiko hampered rescue eorts, forcing o2008-07-27.
cials to call o the rescue attempt. Authorities searched
the beaches of San Francisco Ixhuatn and San Francisco [13] Mainelli (2007-10-23). Tropical Depression Kiko Disdel Mar for any signs of the ship.[20] Only two people surcussion Number 36. National Hurricane Center. Revived; fteen bodies were recovered, and nine passengers
trieved 2008-07-27.

[14] Beven (2007-10-18). Tropical Storm Kiko Public Advisory Number 15. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved
2008-07-28.
[15] Lazaro Cardenas, Mich. (2007-10-21). "'Kiko' toma
fuerza, podra convertirse en huracn (in Spanish).
Correo. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
[16] AGI (2007-10-19). Alerta Segob sobre intensicacin
de tormenta tropical Kiko"" (in Spanish). Reuters. Retrieved 2008-11-17.
[17] Agencies/Mexico City DF. (2007-10-22). La tormenta
tropical 'Kiko' pierde intensidad. El Siglo de Torren (in
Spanish). Retrieved 2008-11-17.
[18] Brent Jones (2007-10-22). Western Mexico Braces for
Tropical Storm Kiko. USA Today. The Associated Press.
Retrieved 2008-07-27.
[19] Sta Writer (2007-10-21). Fifteen dead, 9 missing as
boat sinks. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 2008-0727.
[20] Tropical Storm Kiko strengthens in Pacic. St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. 2007-10-21. Retrieved
2009-01-29.

External links
National Hurricane Centers Archive for Tropical
Storm Kiko
National Hurricane Centers Tropical Cyclone Report for Tropical Storm Kiko
National Hurricane Center Website
Tropical Weather Outlook for the Eastern Pacic

6 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

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Tropical Storm Kiko (2007) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical%20Storm%20Kiko%20(2007)?oldid=634539240 Contributors: Kaldari, Discospinster, Rich Farmbrough, HERB, BD2412, NawlinWiki, RattleMan, Tony1, Black Falcon, Nikkimaria, Hurricanehink, Hurricane Angel Saki, SandyGeorgia, TonyTheTiger, Bencherlite, Jason Rees, Plasticup, ThinkBlue, Juliancolton, GimmeBot,
TwilligToves, Truthanado, Dawn Bard, Finetooth, Prettybirdy823, NuclearWarfare, DumZiBoT, Ramisses, Cyclonebiskit, Addbot, Lightbot, AmericanBang, AnomieBOT, Yellow Evan, Materialscientist, HJ Mitchell, Gerda Arendt, Faolin42, H3llBot, Jarodalien, ClueBot NG,
Widr, Dexbot, Frosty, Zziccardi, Epicgenius, MrF1Enthusiast, TFA Protector Bot, Monkbot, Abhikhurana, Peytonmanning189, Aswangkings123, Fvaok, Shanarenay, Potatowaes, Alaricgeorgia, Zac-cameron and Anonymous: 16

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