Tropical Storm Alma

{{storm path|Alma 2008 track.png}}

Towards the end of May 2008, computer hurricane models forecast the development of a broad low-pressure area to the southwest of Central America.{{cite web|author=Nelson|year=2008|title=May 26 Tropical Weather Discussion for the Eastern Pacific Ocean|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-28|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Pac-Dis/2008052603.AXPZ20}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} On May 26, a large trough extended from the southwestern Caribbean Sea across Costa Rica into the eastern Pacific Ocean, forming a broad low-pressure area across the region.{{cite web|author=Berg|year=2008|title=May 26 Tropical Weather Discussion for the Atlantic Ocean|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-28|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2008052623.AXNT20}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} A scattered area of strong convection developed, partially in association with the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Located within an area of weak steering currents, the disturbance remained nearly stationary, and on May 27 its shower activity increased in organization.{{cite web|author=Franklin/Landsea|year=2008|title=May 27 Tropical Weather Outlook|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-28|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Outlook-P/2008052717.ABPZ20}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} Initially the system consisted of several cyclonic swirls, of which the most pronounced one was located about {{convert|340|mi|km}} west-southwest of San José, Costa Rica.{{cite web|author=Nelson|year=2008|title=May 27 Tropical Weather Discussion for the Eastern Pacific Ocean|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-28|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Pac-Dis/2008052721.AXPZ20}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} The system gradually became better organized, and with a sufficiently well-developed circulation and convective structure, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) classified the system as Tropical Depression One-E at 0300 UTC on May 29, about {{convert|105|mi|km}} west-northwest of Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica.{{cite web|author=Franklin/Rhome|year=2008|title=Tropical Depression One-E Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.001.shtml?}}

With a mid-level ridge located in the Gulf of Mexico, the depression drifted generally northward through an area of warm water temperatures and low wind shear. Initially its convection was weak and confined to a few rainbands far from the center. As such, intensification was not expected beyond minimal tropical storm status. However, the system quickly developed intense thunderstorms near the center with increased banding in its southern semicircle, and at 1500 UTC on May 29, the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Alma, about {{convert|55|mi|km}} southwest of Managua, Nicaragua. This marked one of the rare cases in the Eastern Pacific in which a tropical cyclone formed without the involvement of a tropical wave. The system's intensity was set at {{convert|45|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, and the storm was forecast to intensity only slightly more before moving ashore.{{cite web|author=Avila/Roberts|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Discussion Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.003.shtml?}} However, one hour after it was upgraded to tropical storm status, the NHC re-assessed the intensity as {{convert|65|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, citing updated observations from satellite imagery and QuikSCAT.{{cite web|author=Avila|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Special Discussion Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.004.shtml?}}{{cite web|author=Brown|year=2008|title=Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Alma|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-07-22|url={{NHC TCR url|id=EP012008_Alma}}}} An eye feature formed, surrounded by a very tight ring of convection,{{cite web|author=Avila/Roberts|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Discussion Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.005.shtml?}} and at around 1900 UTC on May 29, Alma made landfall near León, Nicaragua as a strong tropical storm.{{cite web|author=Avila/Roberts|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Public Advisory Five|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.public.005.shtml?}} The storm quickly weakened after moving ashore, though a small area of thunderstorms persisted as it crossed into the mountainous region of southern Honduras.{{cite web|author=Knabb/Blake|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Discussion Six|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.006.shtml?}} After passing near Tegucigalpa Alma weakened to tropical depression status,{{cite web|author=Beven|year=2008|title=Tropical Depression Alma Discussion Seven|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.007.shtml?}} and at 1500 UTC on May 30, the cyclone's low-level lcirculation center dissipated, while the system was situated near the border of Honduras and Guatemala.{{cite web|author=Avila|year=2008|title=Tropical Depression Alma Discussion Eight|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-30|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.008.shtml?}} On May 30, after crossing Central America as a remnant low, Alma's remnants moved into the Gulf of Honduras and merged with another approaching tropical wave from the east, which became Tropical Storm Arthur on the next day.{{cite web|author=Eric Blake|title=Tropical Storm Arthur: Tropical Cyclone Report|year=2008|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-07-29|url={{NHC TCR url|id=AL012008_Arthur}}|format=PDF}}{{cite web|author=Avila/Rhome|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Arthur Special Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-31|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/al01/al012008.discus.001.shtml?}}

Image:Alma Arthur (2008) TRMM rain 27may-4june08.jpg]]

Coinciding with the first advisory on the depression, the government of Costa Rica issued a tropical storm warning for the entire Pacific coast of the country.{{cite web|author=Franklin/Rhome|year=2008|title=Tropical Depression One-E Public Advisory One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-28|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.public.001.shtml?}} About four hours prior to landfall, when Alma was named, a tropical storm warning was in effect for the entire coastlines of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador.{{cite web|author=Avila/Roberts|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Public Advisory Three|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.public.003.shtml?}} When it was realized the storm was much stronger than previously thought, a hurricane warning was issued for the coasts of Nicaragua and Honduras,{{cite web|author=Avila|year=2008|title=Tropical Storm Alma Special Public Advisory Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.public.004.shtml?}} and Alma was forecast to attain hurricane status. Prior to moving ashore, the NHC warned that the storm could produce up to {{convert|20|in|mm}} of rainfall, resulting in mudslides and flash flooding. The National Emergency Commission of Costa Rica activated emergency shelters prior to the arrival of the storm; 250 people in Parrita evacuated from their homes.{{cite news|author=El País|date=2008-05-30|title=Alma deja un muerto y cientos de evacuados a su paso por Centroamérica|access-date=2011-04-30|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/tormenta/Alma/deja/muerto/cientos/evacuados/paso/Centroamerica/elpepuint/20080530elpepuint_9/Tes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520094454/http://www.elpais.com/articulo/internacional/Alma/disipa/deja/muertos/cientos/evacuados/Centroamerica/elpepuint/20080530elpepuint_9/Tes|archive-date=2011-05-20|url-status=live|language=es}} In Nicaragua, officials evacuated about 5,000 people, while 3,000 troops were mobilized to assist in the aftermath of the storm.{{cite news|author=Filadelfo Aleman|date=2008-05-29|title=Tormenta tropical Alma golpea Centroamérica|publisher=El Nuevo Herald|access-date=2008-05-29|language=es|url=http://www.elnuevoherald.com/167/story/216695.html}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

When Tropical Storm Alma made landfall, it produced moderate to heavy rainfall across Central America. The city of David, Chiriquí in western Panama reported {{convert|5.75|in|mm}} of precipitation in 48 hours. Additionally, the capital city of San José, Costa Rica reported {{convert|3.07|in|mm}} of rainfall in a 48‑hour period.{{cite web|author=Berg|year=2008|title=May 29 Atlantic Tropical Weather Discussion|publisher=National Hurricane Center|access-date=2008-05-29|url=ftp://ftp.met.fsu.edu/pub/weather/tropical/Atl-Dis/2008052923.AXNT20}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }} In Costa Rica, the precipitation caused river flooding, threatening 17 communities. It also caused widespread mudslides, which closed at least eight roads. The storm downed trees and power lines, leaving about 42,000 people without electricity in the country. Two deaths were reported in the country, and damage in Costa Rica was estimated at ₡20 billion colónes ($35 million 2008 USD).{{cite web|author1=Werner Stolz |author2=Gabriela Chinchilla |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Instituto Meteorólogico Nacional|language=es|title=Tormenta Tropical Alma y sus efectos en Costa Rica (27-30 de mayo de 2008)|access-date=2009-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716143353/http://www.imn.ac.cr/publicaciones/ttalma.PDF|archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead |url=http://www.imn.ac.cr/publicaciones/ttalma.PDF|format=PDF}}

In León near where it moved ashore in Nicaragua, the passage of Alma left the city without power. Several buildings were destroyed in the city, and some roads were damaged. Much of the departments of León and Chinandega experienced power outages, due to the strong winds. One person died from electrocution, due to a downed high-tension cable, and another person died in a similar manner.{{cite news|title=Tropical Storm Alma dies out over Central America|publisher=Reuters UK|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUKN30448773._CH_.242020080531|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601215146/http://uk.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUKN30448773._CH_.242020080531|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-06-01|date=2008-05-31|access-date=2008-05-31 | first=Mica | last=Rosenberg}} Offshore, one person drowned when he rode out the storm in his boat.{{cite news|author=Agence France-Presse|date=2008-05-29|title=Un muerto y daños por paso de tormenta "Alma"|access-date=2008-05-30|url=http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/nacionales/17054|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929172118/http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/nacionales/17054|url-status=live|archive-date=2011-09-29}} In Tegucigalpa, TACA Flight 390 skidded off a runway sodden by torrential rain, killing three passengers (plus two more on the ground) and injuring over eighty. One other fatality was reported in Honduras when a young girl was swept away in a raging stream.

Forming at 86.5ºW, Alma developed farther east than any other Pacific tropical cyclone on record. Alma made landfall farther east than any other Pacific tropical cyclone, and it was the only to do so on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. Alma's remnants contributed to the formation of Tropical Storm Arthur in the Atlantic.{{cite web|url=http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E15.html|author1=Stephen Caparotta |author2=D. Walston |author3=Steven Yound |author4=Gary Padgett |name-list-style=amp |publisher = Hurricane Research Division, Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory|work = Frequently Asked Questions| access-date=2008-05-31|title=Subject: E15) What tropical storms and hurricanes have moved from the Atlantic to the Northeast Pacific or vice versa?}}

In April 2009, the World Meteorological Organization retired the name Alma from its rotating name lists on account of the heavy rain and strong winds that impacted Central America. It was replaced with Amanda for the 2014 season.{{cite report|title=RA IV Hurricane Committee Thirty-First Session Final Report|page=11|url=https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/FINALREPORT_HC-31.pdf|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|year=2009|access-date=September 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214851/https://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/FINALREPORT_HC-31.pdf|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}{{cite news|title=Storm committee drops Gustav, Ike, Paloma and Alma|date=May 2, 2009|url=https://www.sunjournal.com/2009/05/02/storm-committee-drops-gustav-ike-paloma-alma/|newspaper=Sun Journal|location=Lewiston, Maine|access-date=January 11, 2024}}

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Tropical Storm Alma

Tropical Storm Alma

Alma