A tropical wave that moved westward from the coast of Africa on 11 September reached the Caribbean Sea on the 16th. Convection increased in both coverage and organization on the 19th as the wave moved into the southwestern Caribbean Sea. Satellite intensity estimates and surface observations indicate that Tropical Depression Nine formed from the activity at 1800 UTC that day about 50 n mi north-northwest of San Andres Island (Figure 1 and Table 1). The cyclone moved west-northwestward about 16 kt and made landfall around 0000 UTC 20 September near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. It continued west-northwestward and dissipated over the mountains of Central America later that day.
Puerto Cabezas reported sustained winds of 26 kt and a 1006 mb pressure at 2100 UTC 19 September. No reports of damages or casualties have been received at the National Hurricane Center.
The tropical wave that spawned Tropical Depression Nine crossed Central America and was responsible for the formation of Eastern Pacific Hurricane Juliette on 21 September.
| Date/Time (UTC) | Position | Pressure (mb) | Wind Speed (kt) | Stage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lat. (°N) | Lon. (°W) | ||||
| 19 / 1800 | 13.4 | 81.9 | 1008 | 30 | tropical depression |
| 20 / 0000 | 13.9 | 83.5 | 1006 | 30 | " |
| 20 / 0600 | 14.5 | 85.1 | 1008 | 25 | " |
| 20 / 1200 | dissipated | ||||
| 19 / 2100 | 13.6 | 82.7 | 1005 | 30 | minimum pressure |
| 20/0000 | 13.9 | 83.5 | 1006 | 30 | Landfall near Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua |
Figure 1: Best track for Tropical Depression Nine, 19-20 September 2001.
