Tropical Cyclone Report
Tropical Storm Lowell
22 - 31 October 2002
Lixion A. Avila
National Hurricane Center 27 December 2002
Lowell was a poorly-organized tropical storm that formed in the
western portion of the eastern Pacific basin and moved generally
westward over the central Pacific where it dissipated.
a. Synoptic History
Lowell originated from a weak westward moving disturbance that
crossed Central America on 12 October. The disturbance was probably
associated with a tropical wave that exited the west coast of
Africa earlier. Shower activity began to increase on the
18th when the disturbance was approaching 120 W, but it
was not until 1800 UTC 22 October that the system developed a broad
circulation and enough convection to be considered a tropical
depression. The depression became a little better organized as it
moved slowly on a general westward track and became a tropical
storm at 0600 UTC 23 October, and the maximum winds reached 40
knots six hours later. Thereafter, a strong southwesterly shear
began to affect the system and the center became exposed. A gradual
weakening trend began and Lowell became a tropical depression. The
tropical cyclone continued westward and crossed 140 W into the
Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) area of responsibility
around 0000 UTC 26 October. Lowell continued westward and as the
shear relaxed, the convection redeveloped near the center and winds
increased to 45 knots near 1200 UTC 28 October for about 6 to 12
hours. A gradual weakening began shortly thereafter and the system
was dissipating by 0000 UTC 31 October.
The "best track" chart of the tropical cyclone's path is given
in Figure 1, with the wind and pressure histories shown in
Figure 2 and Figure 3, respectively.
The best track positions and intensities are
listed in Table 1. The best track west of 140 W was provided by
CPHC.
b. Meteorological Statistics
Observations in Lowell (Figs. 2 and 3) include satellite-based
Dvorak technique intensity estimates from the Tropical Analysis and
Forecast Branch (TAFB), the Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) and the
U. S. Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA).
c. Casualty and Damage Statistics
There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with
Lowell.
d. Forecast and Warning Critique
Lowell was a tropical storm for a short period of time in the
NHC area of responsibility. Therefore, the average track forecast
error values should not be considered meaningful.
Table 1: Best track for Tropical Storm Lowell, 22-31 October,
2002.
Date/Time (UTC) | Position | Pressure (mb) | Wind Speed (kt) | Stage |
Lat. (°N) | Lon. (°W) |
22 / 1800 | 11.0 | 130.5 | 1008 | 30 | tropical depression |
23 / 0000 | 11.8 | 130.5 | 1006 | 30 | " |
23 / 0600 | 11.8 | 130.5 | 1004 | 35 | tropical storm |
23 / 1200 | 12.7 | 131.0 | 1002 | 40 | " |
23 / 1800 | 12.3 | 131.5 | 1003 | 40 | " |
24 / 0000 | 12.4 | 132.4 | 1003 | 40 | " |
24 / 0600 | 12.6 | 133.2 | 1003 | 40 | " |
24 / 1200 | 12.3 | 134.5 | 1005 | 35 | " |
24 / 1800 | 12.3 | 135.5 | 1009 | 30 | tropical depression |
25 / 0000 | 12.5 | 136.8 | 1009 | 30 | " |
25 / 0600 | 12.5 | 137.7 | 1009 | 30 | " |
25 / 1200 | 12.5 | 138.8 | 1009 | 30 | " |
25 / 1800 | 12.6 | 139.7 | 1009 | 30 | " |
26 / 0000 | 12.7 | 140.5 | 1009 | 30 | " |
26 / 0600 | 12.8 | 141.2 | 1009 | 30 | " |
26 / 1200 | 13.0 | 142.0 | 1009 | 30 | " |
26 / 1800 | 12.5 | 143.0 | 1009 | 30 | " |
27 / 0000 | 12.3 | 143.7 | 1009 | 30 | " |
27 / 0600 | 12.3 | 143.9 | 1008 | 30 | " |
27 / 1200 | 12.5 | 144.0 | 1009 | 30 | " |
27 / 1800 | 12.8 | 144.1 | 1009 | 35 | tropical storm |
28 / 0000 | 13.1 | 144.5 | 1009 | 35 | " |
28 / 0600 | 13.2 | 144.7 | 1004 | 40 | " |
28 / 1200 | 13.3 | 144.9 | 1002 | 45 | " |
28 / 1800 | 12.9 | 145.4 | 1002 | 45 | " |
29 / 0000 | 12.7 | 145.8 | 1004 | 40 | " |
29 / 0600 | 12.6 | 146.3 | 1005 | 35 | " |
29 / 1200 | 12.3 | 147.0 | 1007 | 30 | tropical depression |
29 / 1800 | 12.0 | 147.6 | 1009 | 25 | " |
30 / 0000 | 12.1 | 148.3 | 1009 | 25 | " |
30 / 0600 | 11.9 | 148.7 | 1009 | 25 | " |
30 / 1200 | 11.7 | 148.9 | 1009 | 25 | " |
30 / 1800 | 11.5 | 149.1 | 1009 | 25 | " |
31 / 0000 | 11.2 | 149.2 | 1009 | 25 | dissipating |
23 / 1200 | 13.3 | 144.9 | 1002 | 45 | minimum pressure |
28 / 1200 | 12.7 | 131.0 | 1002 | 40 | minimum pressure |
Figure 1: Best track
positions for Tropical Storm Lowell, 22-31 October, 2002.
Figure 2: Selected wind
observations and best track maximum sustained surface wind speed curve for
Tropical Storm Lowell, 22-31 October, 2002.
Figure 3: Selected pressure observations
and best track minimum central pressure curve for Tropical Storm Lowell,
22-31 October, 2002.
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