page_title: Hurricane Carlotta (2012)
section_title: Meteorological history
hierarchical_section_title: Hurricane Carlotta (2012) / Meteorological history
caption_attribution_description: English: Track map of Hurricane Carlotta of the 2012 Pacific hurricane season. The points show the location of the storm at 6-hour intervals. The colour represents the storm's maximum sustained wind speeds as classified in the Saffir–Simpson scale (see below), and the shape of the data points represent the nature of the storm, according to the legend below. Saffir–Simpson scale Tropical depression≤38 mph≤62 km/h Category 3111–129 mph178–208 km/h Tropical storm39–73 mph63–118 km/h Category 4130–156 mph209–251 km/h Category 174–95 mph119–153 km/h Category 5≥157 mph≥252 km/h Category 296–110 mph154–177 km/h Unknown Storm type Tropical cyclone Subtropical cyclone Extratropical cyclone / Remnant low / Tropical disturbance / Monsoon depression
context_page_description: Hurricane Carlotta was the easternmost tropical cyclone in the Eastern Pacific to make landfall at hurricane intensity since 1966. The third tropical cyclone and third named storm of the 2012 Pacific hurricane season, Carlotta developed slowly into a tropical depression from a tropical wave southwest of Central America on June 14. It moved generally west-northwestward and by the following day, strengthened into tropical storm strength. Thereafter, gradual intensification occurred and the storm reached hurricane strength on June 15. Rapid intensification ensued further, as Carlotta peaked as a 110 mph Category 2 hurricane on the same day. At 0100 UTC the following day, Carlotta made landfall near Puerto Escondido, the easternmost landfalling Pacific hurricane in recorded history at the time. The next day the storm began to weaken as it moved onshore Southwestern Mexico. Carlotta continued to weaken rapidly, eventually dissipating on June 16.
  Throughout Mexico, widespread power outages and wind damage was reported, particularly in Oaxaca. Infrastructural damage was also reported due to winds and rain, as well as damage to crops.
context_section_description: On June 12, a tropical disturbance developed off the west coast of Costa Rica, moved westward and entered the eastern Pacific after crossing Panama. The system became better organized as it tracked to the west-northwest as a westerly Kelvin wave provided favorable conditions for development. Convection increased around a developing low pressure area, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) estimated a 50% chance of tropical cyclogenesis by late on June 12. After further organization, the NHC initiated advisories on Tropical Depression Three-E at 0300 UTC on June 14, while the system was located about 515 mi (830 km) south-southeast of Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca. At the time, the depression was located in an area of low wind shear and warm sea surface temperature conditions that were considered favorable for intensification. In addition, it had a small circulation, which increased the possibility for rapid deepening. The system moved northwestward after forming due to an extended ridge to the northeast. About six hours after forming, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Carlotta, after rainbands increased around the center.
  With continued favorable conditions, Carlotta quickly developed a ragged central dense overcast, or centralized area of convection. An eye feature began developing on June 15, and later that day Carlotta intensified into a hurricane while approaching southwestern Mexico. A Hurricane Hunters flight late on June 15 indicated Carlotta was rapidly intensifying, observing winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) in the eye and well-established outflow; the crew also observed flight-level winds of 114 mph (183 km/h). The NHC initially predicted the hurricane would move along the Mexican coast just offshore, which would have allowed Carlotta to maintain much of its intensity. Shortly after its peak, Hurricane Carlotta weakened slightly as to the eye's began to interact with land. The hurricane made landfall near Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, with winds estimated at 105 mph (165 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 976 mbar (28.8 inHg), shortly after 0100 UTC on June 16, becoming the easternmost tropical cyclone in the Eastern Pacific to make landfall at hurricane intensity on record until surpassed by Hurricane Barbara a year later. Carlotta rapidly weakened while moving inland, and it had deteriorated to tropical depression status by 12 hours after landfall. Although the cloud pattern became disrupted, the storm maintained a large area of thunderstorms. Very early on June 17, the NHC reported that Carlotta had weakened into a post-tropical remnant low; the system still had a broad circulation over southwestern Mexico at the time. Later that day, the low degenerated into a trough along the west coast of Mexico.
caption: Map plotting the track and the intensity of the storm, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
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