Hurricane Juliette (2001)

Hurricane Juliette

Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Juliette off the coast of Mexico
Formed	September 21, 2001
Dissipated	October 3, 2001
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 145 mph (230 km/h)
Lowest pressure	923 mbar (hPa); 27.26 inHg
Fatalities	12 total
Damage	$400 million (2001 USD)
Areas affected	Baja California, Northwestern Mexico
Part of the 2001 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Juliette was a long-lasting Category 4 hurricane in the 2001 Pacific hurricane season. It caused 12 deaths and $400 million (2001 USD; $541 million 2017 USD) in damage when it hit Baja California in late September.

The tropical wave that later produced Juliette first produced Tropical Depression Nine in the Atlantic Ocean. Forming in the Caribbean Sea, the depression dissipated over Central America on September 20, a day after formation. By early on September 21, the remnants of Nine had re-organized in Pacific, and was then upgraded into a tropical depression. Six hours later, the depression was upgraded into a tropical storm. However, the storm was not named Juliette until later that day, when the storm was operationally believed to have formed (which came after reports from a Hurricane Hunter aircraft).

In an environment of light wind shear, meteorologists predicted to new system to reach hurricane intensity within two days. Within 100 mi (160 km) off the coast of Guatemala, the system moved generally west-northwest over the next five days, paralleling the Mexican Riviera. While a major decrease in thunderstorm activity initially inhibited intensification it became better organized on September 22. By the afternoon of September 23, Juliette had become a hurricane, with maximum sustained winds reaching 75 mph (120 km/h).

Upon becoming a hurricane, infrared imagery suggested that the hurricane had developed a pinhole eye. Forecasters were also expecting Juliette to reach major hurricane status, Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Steadily moving west, the storm underwent rapid deepening. By 1800 UTC September 23, Juliette had reached Category 2 status, with winds of 100 mph (145 km/h). Shortly thereafter, the hurricane intensified into a Category 4 storm; bypassing the Category 3 stage, an unusual occurrence for a tropical cyclone. In all, Juliette had intensified 60 mph (130 km/h) in 18 hours.