Tropical Cyclone Report

Tropical Depression Eleven-E

An area of disturbed weather, associated with a tropical wave that crossed Central America and entered the eastern north Pacific Ocean on 30 August, was tracked for several days as it moved west-northwestward to the south of Mexico. On 5 September, the system became better organized and it is estimated that Tropical Depression Eleven-E formed from it around 1800 UTC that day, centered about 120 n mi southwest of Cabo Corrientes, Mexico. The tropical cyclone moved northwestward to west-northwestward until 7 September, when the system turned westward and west-southwestward due to the influence of low-level steering flow. Deep convection associated with the depression had diminished, and the convection remained minimal and sporadic for the remainder of the tropical cyclone's existence. The depression turned to the north-northwest on 8 September while weakening to a remnant low. This low drifted slowly for another day or so before losing its identity a short distance to the west of southern Baja California on 10 September. Figure 1 shows this system's best track, which is listed in Table 1.

Satellite intensity estimates suggest that this system was nearly of tropical storm strength on 6 September. Since the depression was forecast to strengthen to a tropical storm and pass close to southern Baja California, a tropical storm watch was issued for the southwest coast of the Baja California peninsula from Cabo San Lucas northward to Cabo San Lazaro at 0300 UTC 6 September. This was upgraded to a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch for the same area at 0900 UTC 6 September. The hurricane watch was discontinued 12 h later and the tropical storm warning was discontinued at 1500 UTC 7 September. There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with this tropical cyclone.

Figure 1: Best track of Tropical Depression Eleven-E, 5-8 September 2002.