Tropical Depression Two (2010)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Depression Two was a short-lived tropical cyclone
that impacted portions of Texas and Mexico during the highly active 2010 Atlantic hurricane season
. It formed from a tropical wave
that emerged off the western coast of Africa and crossed the Atlantic Ocean without any development. Upon entering the western Gulf of Mexico
, the depression encountered a conducive environment for tropical cyclone development, and was designated Tropical Depression Two at 0600 UTC on July 8. Intensification into a tropical storm was initially anticipated by the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
, but due to its proximity to land, the depression failed to attain the status. It made landfall on South Padre Island, Texas
before degenerating into a remnant low on July 9, and dissipating the following day. Due to the system's weak intensity, there were no reports of damage inflicted by winds across Texas or Mexico, although the cyclone did bring minimal rainfall totals to northern Mexico, an area severely affected by Hurricane Alex just one week previous.
until July 3 as it entered the western Caribbean Sea
. During the 24 hours that followed, it continued to coalesce, and the NHC subsequently increased the disturbance's chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. A defined surface circulation
did not form as a result of the wave's movement over the Yucatan Peninsula
, and the system lost organization. The system remained disorganized as it traversed the peninsula and eventually emerged into the Gulf of Mexico on July 7. Situated over water once more, the wave was able to gradually develop as it moved in a northwesterly direction. Following a reconnaissance mission, the NHC noted in their Tropical Weather Outlook that there was a high chance of the system developing into a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.
Early on July 8, additional data from the Hurricane Hunters
indicated that the system developed a closed circulation and the NHC classified it as a tropical depression at 0000 UTC
, making it the second of the hurricane season. At this time, the system was situated roughly 250 mi (402.3 km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas
. At this time, the depression also attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1005 mbar (hPa; 29.68 inHg). Tropical Depression Two was anticipated to intensify into a tropical storm before making landfall in Mexico; however, the depression failed to gain strength before moving inland. Following a reconnaissance mission at 1200 UTC, Hurricane Hunters found winds near tropical storm intensity; however, land-based observations did not support this and the depression was not classified as a tropical storm. Later that day, the depression made landfall in South Padre Island, Texas at 1515 UTC with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). The tropical depression weakened slightly while moving near the Texas-Mexico border, when the NHC discontinued advisories on the system. Although the NHC ceased monitoring Tropical Depression Two, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC)
issued advisories until it dissipated early on July 10 over northern Mexico.
to the northern mouth of the Rio Grande River. In addition, a tropical storm warning was also issued by the government of Mexico, stretching from Rio San Fernando northward also to the mouth of the Rio Grande River. Subsequent coastal flooding and flash flood warnings were issued by local National Weather Service
offices in southern and eastern Texas as the NHC predicted 4 to 8 in (101.6 to 203.2 mm) of rain, with with 10 in (254 mm) locally. Alerts were also issued for the Mexican states of Tamaulipas
, Nuevo León
and Coahuila
, where officials warned people of the potential for heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. The Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil (National Civil Protection System)
raised a red alert, the highest level on the scale, for portions of Tamaulipas and noted that extreme caution was necessary in areas between Rio San Fernando and the Texas-Mexico border. After Tropical Depression Two made landfall in Texas, all of the tropical storm warnings associated with the storm were discontinued.
Upon making landfall along the Texas-Mexico border, the depression produced a storm surge
between 2 and 4 ft (0.6096 and 1.2 m). Portions of Mustang
and Padre Island were flooded by the storm; however, damage was minimal. Two funnel cloud
s were reported in relation to the depression — one near Rockport
and the other near Victoria
. After the NHC issued their final advisory on Tropical Depression Two, the HPC began to monitor the system, recording minimal rainfall across southern and eastern Texas. As Tropical Depression Two dissipated, it moved inland and the HPC's advisories indicated that much of eastern and southern Texas experienced rainfall of at least 1 in (25.4 mm), with the exception of Corpus Christi
and Laredo
. Rainfall associated with Tropical Depression Two in Texas peaked at 5.16 in (131.1 mm) along the Guadalupe River
adjacent to the city of Victoria. Rainfall inside the city of Victoria itself was measured at 4.25 in (108 mm), while the Victoria Regional Airport reported precipitation at Victoria Regional Airport
. Tropical Depression Two contributed to localized flooding in southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, adding to the 24 in (609.6 mm) of rain caused by Hurricane Alex just south of the Rio Grande River. Throughout Tamaulipas, Mexico, relatively little rain fell in relation to the depression. Matamoros
recorded rainfall for roughly two hours before the system passed through the region. The resulting floods from Alex and the depression caused nearly $80 million in losses throughout the region.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
that impacted portions of Texas and Mexico during the highly active 2010 Atlantic hurricane season
2010 Atlantic hurricane season
The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the...
. It formed from a tropical wave
Tropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...
that emerged off the western coast of Africa and crossed the Atlantic Ocean without any development. Upon entering the western Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
, the depression encountered a conducive environment for tropical cyclone development, and was designated Tropical Depression Two at 0600 UTC on July 8. Intensification into a tropical storm was initially anticipated by the National Hurricane Center (NHC)
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
, but due to its proximity to land, the depression failed to attain the status. It made landfall on South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island, Texas
South Padre Island is a town in Cameron County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Brownsville–Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area. It may be included as part of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville and the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan areas. The population was 2,816 at the...
before degenerating into a remnant low on July 9, and dissipating the following day. Due to the system's weak intensity, there were no reports of damage inflicted by winds across Texas or Mexico, although the cyclone did bring minimal rainfall totals to northern Mexico, an area severely affected by Hurricane Alex just one week previous.
Meteorological history
The origins of Tropical Depression Two can be traced back to a disorganized tropical wave that was first noted by the NHC on June 24 as it moved off the western coast of Africa, and into the Atlantic Ocean. Moving towards the west, the wave showed no signs of organizationTropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
until July 3 as it entered the western Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
. During the 24 hours that followed, it continued to coalesce, and the NHC subsequently increased the disturbance's chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. A defined surface circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....
did not form as a result of the wave's movement over the Yucatan Peninsula
Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...
, and the system lost organization. The system remained disorganized as it traversed the peninsula and eventually emerged into the Gulf of Mexico on July 7. Situated over water once more, the wave was able to gradually develop as it moved in a northwesterly direction. Following a reconnaissance mission, the NHC noted in their Tropical Weather Outlook that there was a high chance of the system developing into a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.
Early on July 8, additional data from the Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
indicated that the system developed a closed circulation and the NHC classified it as a tropical depression at 0000 UTC
Coordinated Universal Time
Coordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
, making it the second of the hurricane season. At this time, the system was situated roughly 250 mi (402.3 km) southeast of Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
. At this time, the depression also attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1005 mbar (hPa; 29.68 inHg). Tropical Depression Two was anticipated to intensify into a tropical storm before making landfall in Mexico; however, the depression failed to gain strength before moving inland. Following a reconnaissance mission at 1200 UTC, Hurricane Hunters found winds near tropical storm intensity; however, land-based observations did not support this and the depression was not classified as a tropical storm. Later that day, the depression made landfall in South Padre Island, Texas at 1515 UTC with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). The tropical depression weakened slightly while moving near the Texas-Mexico border, when the NHC discontinued advisories on the system. Although the NHC ceased monitoring Tropical Depression Two, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC)
Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
The Hydrometeorological Prediction Center is one of nine service centers under the umbrella of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction , a part of the National Weather Service, which in turn is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. government...
issued advisories until it dissipated early on July 10 over northern Mexico.
Preparations and impact
Immediately after Tropical Depression Two was classified, a tropical storm warning was issued for the state of Texas, covering the coastline from Baffin BayBaffin Bay
Baffin Bay , located between Baffin Island and the southwest coast of Greenland, is a marginal sea of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is connected to the Atlantic via Davis Strait and the Labrador Sea...
to the northern mouth of the Rio Grande River. In addition, a tropical storm warning was also issued by the government of Mexico, stretching from Rio San Fernando northward also to the mouth of the Rio Grande River. Subsequent coastal flooding and flash flood warnings were issued by local National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
offices in southern and eastern Texas as the NHC predicted 4 to 8 in (101.6 to 203.2 mm) of rain, with with 10 in (254 mm) locally. Alerts were also issued for the Mexican states of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
, Nuevo León
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
and Coahuila
Coahuila
Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
, where officials warned people of the potential for heavy rains, flooding, and landslides. The Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil (National Civil Protection System)
Sistema Nacional de Protección Civil, Prevención y Mitigación de Desastres
The National Civil Defence System for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation of El Salvador , commonly known as "Protección Civil", is an entity created to prevent disasters or reduce their impact on society, and coordinate disaster relief efforts.The Salvadoran Civil Defence System is part of a Central...
raised a red alert, the highest level on the scale, for portions of Tamaulipas and noted that extreme caution was necessary in areas between Rio San Fernando and the Texas-Mexico border. After Tropical Depression Two made landfall in Texas, all of the tropical storm warnings associated with the storm were discontinued.
Upon making landfall along the Texas-Mexico border, the depression produced a storm surge
Storm surge
A storm surge is an offshore rise of water associated with a low pressure weather system, typically tropical cyclones and strong extratropical cyclones. Storm surges are caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea...
between 2 and 4 ft (0.6096 and 1.2 m). Portions of Mustang
Mustang Island
Mustang Island is a barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Texas in the United States. The island is 18 miles long, stretching from Corpus Christi to Port Aransas. The island is oriented generally northeast-southwest, with the Gulf of Mexico on the east and south, and Corpus Christi Bay on the north...
and Padre Island were flooded by the storm; however, damage was minimal. Two funnel cloud
Funnel cloud
A funnel cloud is a funnel-shaped cloud of condensed water droplets, associated with a rotating column of wind and extending from the base of a cloud but not reaching the ground or a water surface. A funnel cloud is usually visible as a cone-shaped or needle like protuberance from the main cloud...
s were reported in relation to the depression — one near Rockport
Rockport, Texas
Rockport is a city in Aransas County, Texas, United States. The population was 7,385 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Aransas County. The coastal community has approximately 8000 citizens. Large windswept live oaks are a dominating feature of the area and the state's oldest live oak,...
and the other near Victoria
Victoria, Texas
Victoria is a city in and the seat of Victoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 60,603 at the 2000 census. The three counties of the Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 111,163 at the 2000 census,...
. After the NHC issued their final advisory on Tropical Depression Two, the HPC began to monitor the system, recording minimal rainfall across southern and eastern Texas. As Tropical Depression Two dissipated, it moved inland and the HPC's advisories indicated that much of eastern and southern Texas experienced rainfall of at least 1 in (25.4 mm), with the exception of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
and Laredo
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
. Rainfall associated with Tropical Depression Two in Texas peaked at 5.16 in (131.1 mm) along the Guadalupe River
Guadalupe River (Texas)
The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The river is a popular destination for rafters and canoers. Larger cities along the river include New Braunfels, Kerrville, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria...
adjacent to the city of Victoria. Rainfall inside the city of Victoria itself was measured at 4.25 in (108 mm), while the Victoria Regional Airport reported precipitation at Victoria Regional Airport
Victoria Regional Airport
Victoria Regional Airport , formerly Foster Air Force Base, is a public airport located five miles northeast of the central business district of Victoria, in Victoria County, Texas, USA. The airport covers and has four runways and one helipad. It is mostly used for general aviation, but is also...
. Tropical Depression Two contributed to localized flooding in southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, adding to the 24 in (609.6 mm) of rain caused by Hurricane Alex just south of the Rio Grande River. Throughout Tamaulipas, Mexico, relatively little rain fell in relation to the depression. Matamoros
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Matamoros, officially known as Heroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas, in the United States. Matamoros is the second largest and second...
recorded rainfall for roughly two hours before the system passed through the region. The resulting floods from Alex and the depression caused nearly $80 million in losses throughout the region.
See also
- 2010 Atlantic hurricane season2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was the third most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, tying with the 1887 Atlantic hurricane season, 1995 Atlantic hurricane season and the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. It had the most number of named storms since the 2005 season and also ties with the...
- Timeline of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 2010 Atlantic hurricane season was a hyperactive year in which nineteen tropical storms formed, the most since 2005. Although Hurricane Alex formed on June 25, 2010, the season officially began on June 1 and ended on November 30...
- Hurricane Alex (2010)