Tropical Depression Sixteen-E (2004)

Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

On October 8, 2004, a tropical wave emerged from the west coast of Africa and progressed westward through the Atlantic Ocean. As is typical of disturbances in the late hurricane season, the wave maintained a relatively low latitude during its trek across the Atlantic. On October 18, the system emerged into the eastern Pacific Ocean. Convection developed along the wave axis, and an area of low pressure developed the next day, while situated south of Guatemala. It drifted westward uneventfully until October 23, when it became nearly stationary. Strong thunderstorms amplified and organized into banding features early on October 24. Dvorak classifications were issued on the weather feature, and over the following day it moved slowly towards the north. At 00:00 UTC on October 25, the system was designated Tropical Depression Sixteen-E about 320 mi (510 km) south-southeast of Baja California.[1]

The depression intensified slightly, and attained its peak winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) almost immediately after forming. As such, it never attained tropical storm status;[1] however, had it been upgraded, it would have been named Madeline.[2] The large cyclone moved towards the north along the western edge of the Mexican subtropical ridge.[1] Even shortly after the storm's classification, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) remarked that Sixteen-E would have little time to significantly strengthen, although noted the possibility for it to achieve minimal tropical storm status. At the time, the storm was being disrupted by wind shear, with most of its deep convective activity concentrated in the eastern half of the circulation.[3]

At around 20:00 UTC, an area of strong convection, including cold cloud tops, developed near the center of circulation. The burst of thunderstorms may have been related to an approaching trough. Tropical Depression Sixteen-E continued moving towards the coast of Mexico, and at 00:00 UTC on October 26, it reached its lowest barometric pressure of 1004 mbar (hPa; 29.65 inHg). It crossed the southwestern Gulf of California before moving ashore between Guasave and Topolobampo.[1] The deteriorating cyclone moved inland, and the last advisory was issued by the NHC on the storm shortly thereafter.[4] Although the storm dissipated at 18:00 UTC, its remnants persisted as they moved across northern Mexico. The system interacted with a weather front in the southwestern United States and triggered thunderstorms there.[1]

On October 25, a tropical storm warning was issued for the coastline of Mexico from El Roblito northward to Topolobampo. This advisory was discontinued the next day, and no additional tropical cyclone watches and warnings were posted. The storm produced areas of heavy rainfall.[1] At Culiacan, 179.9 mm (7.08 in) of precipitation fell in a 24-hour period; 59.6 mm (2.35 in) fell at Empalme.[5] Despite localized flooding, no damage or fatalities were reported. At the Culiacan airport, a wind gust to 81 mph (130 km/h) was reported. A possible tornado may have also touched down near there. Offshore, a ship—the Diamond Princess—recorded 33 mph (53 km/h) winds on two separate occasions during October 26, potentially suggesting that the storm was stronger than it was believed to be. The interaction between the depression's remnants and a frontal boundary over the southwestern United States produced strong thunderstorms and heavy precipitation in eastern New Mexico, western and central Texas, and much of Oklahoma.[1]

• Timeline of the 2004 Pacific hurricane season

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tropical Depression Sixteen-E (2004).

• Tropical Cyclone Report
• Advisory archive