Hurricane Dora (2011)

Hurricane Dora

Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Dora at peak intensity on July 21
Formed	July 18, 2011
Dissipated	July 26, 2011
(Remnant low after July 24)
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 155 mph (250 km/h)
Lowest pressure	929 mbar (hPa); 27.43 inHg
Fatalities	None
Damage	Minimal
Areas affected	Southwestern and Western Mexico, Baja California Peninsula, Southwestern United States
Part of the 2011 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Dora was the strongest tropical cyclone in the northeastern Pacific in 2011. Dora developed from a tropical wave south of Honduras on July 18. Moving northwestward in favorable conditions, the system quickly intensified to tropical storm status and attained hurricane intensity the next day. Rapid intensification ensued shortly thereafter, bringing the storm to its peak intensity on July 21 as a Category 4 hurricane, with a minimum barometric pressure of 929 mbar (hPa; 27.43 inHg) and maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (250 km/h). However, the storm's path into an area with cool sea surface temperatures and wind shear caused Dora to quickly deteriorate and weaken. By July 24, Dora had degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area west of the Baja California Peninsula. Dora brought stormy conditions to the southwestern Mexico coast and the Baja California Peninsula throughout its existence. Remaining off the coast from its formation to dissipation, Dora's effects on land were slight. However, the outer rainbands of the hurricane caused flooding and mudslides in southern Mexico and Guatemala, while rough surf toppled a lighthouse and damaged 60 restaurants along the coast. The hurricane's remnants contributed to heightened shower and thunderstorm activity across New Mexico and Arizona in late July.