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Historical Data: Max Winds 75kts
Category 1 Hurricane
Tracking Info
Information on Hurricane Frank
Frank began on August 23,
2004 becoming a named storm at 9AM. Twelve hours later Frank was upgraded to
a Category 1 hurricane. Franks original forecast expected it to
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Satellite image of Frank & 9E taken 8/24 10AM MDT - Click to enlarge
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become a much more
powerful hurricane. These predictions did not materialize. Frank's
forecasted track, however, proved to be true.
Satellite imagery indicated the eye of the
storm undefined and the convection that powers the storm has almost ceased
by 8/25. The storm has moved into colder waters and continued to
dissipate . Frank had achieved category 1
hurricane status. (See Hurricane
Classifications)
This storm storm only provided some moderate rain to Baja and higher surf.
Frank became a tropical
storm on the morning of August 23, about 380 miles WSW of Cabo San Lucas.
The storm was upgraded to a hurricane at 2PM PDT later that day and
continued to grow for the next 12 hours as it moves to the WNW. Satellite
imagery indicated Tuesday morning that the storm had pass from the warm
tropical waters above 26°C into cooler water. Frank was reduced to a
tropical depression on 8/26
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Sea Surface Temp Anomaly |
Hurricane Frank was spawned in water south of Baja (map)
that is currently 1°C warmer than seasonal norms. Although a few degrees
above normal may seem insignificant, it represents a tremendous amount of
above normal energy stored in the thousands of square miles of ocean. The
Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly graphic right is posted every Monday. As
hurricanes are nature's engine to spread these tropical concentrations of
energy, there may be a reduction of the SST south of Baja in next Monday's
graphic.
 Jet stream flow to the NE is brought cloud cover and scattered light
showers to isolated locations in Baja on Tuesday. Surf along W and SW
facing beaches was powered by the storm.
Click here for more Baja Weather - 3 full
pages! Current conditions, satellite imagery & more...
Tropical Depression 9-E had limited affect on Hurricane Frank, other than
the fact that Frank rode the coat tails of the smaller storm. Forecast
models differed as to Franks destiny. The computer models proved correct
over some forecasters predictions and the storm moved westward rather than
turn to the north around TS 9E. The strong upper level winds subsided and
did not significantly alter Frank's course.
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Hurricane Frank shown with TD 9E which it followed into the Pacific |
We are in the season where Baja residence should be aware of tropical
disturbances in the area. Updates will be posted on our
Hurricane Watch Weather page direct
from the National Hurricane Center every 4 hours.
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