Hurricane Rosa (1994)

Hurricane Rosa

Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Rosa near landfall and peak intensity
Formed	October 8, 1994
Dissipated	October 15, 1994
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 105 mph (165 km/h)
Lowest pressure	974 mbar (hPa); 28.76 inHg
Areas affected	Mexico, Texas
Part of the 1994 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Rosa was the only Pacific hurricane to make landfall during the above-average 1994 Pacific hurricane season. It killed at least 4 people in Mexico. Moisture from the hurricane was a factor in widespread flooding in the U.S. state of Texas that killed 22 people and caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damage in October 1994. The pre-Rosa tropical depression formed on October 8 before degenerating the next day. It reformed on October 10 and steadily strengthened as it approached Mexico. Ultimately peaking as a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale right before landfall, Rosa was the final hurricane, nineteenth tropical storm, and second-last tropical cyclone of the 1994 Pacific hurricane season.

On October 8, a circulation associated with an area of disturbed weather acquired convection and was designated Tropical Depression Nineteen-E. Upon formation, the depression was forecast to dissipate because of strong wind shear. Moving little, its development was constantly hindered by wind shear. The depression had difficulty organizing, and on October 9, it became so disorganized that advisories were discontinued.

The depression's remnants moved eastward and interacted with an area of disturbed weather. This regenerated the convection, and the depression regenerated on October 10, possibly with a new center of circulation. However, the National Hurricane Center's preliminary report does not indicate that the depression ever dissipated or regenerated. Moving little in a favorable environment, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Rosa on October 11, and to hurricane status a day later. At the time it was about 345 miles (555 km) south of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Rosa continued drifting slowly for another day and a half. Then, a trough caused Rosa to begin moving and accelerate north-northeastward. On October 14, Rosa peaked in intensity as a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) and a central pressure of 974 mb (974 hPa). A few hours later, Rosa made landfall near La Concepción about 70 mi (110 km) south-southeast of Mazatlán. Rosa's circulation weakened over the mountains, and it dissipated on October 15.