Hurricane Raymond (2013)

Hurricane Raymond

Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Raymond at peak intensity on October 21, 2013
Formed	October 20, 2013
Dissipated	November 1, 2013
(Remnant low after October 30)
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 125 mph (205 km/h)
Lowest pressure	951 mbar (hPa); 28.08 inHg
Fatalities	None
Damage	Minimal
Areas affected	Southwestern Mexico
Part of the 2013 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Raymond was the only major hurricane in the eastern Pacific in 2013 and briefly threatened the southwestern coast of Mexico before recurving back out to sea. The seventeenth named storm and eighth hurricane of the annual cyclone season, Raymond developed from a tropical wave on October 20 south of Acapulco, Mexico. Within favorable conditions for tropical cyclone development, Raymond quickly intensified, attaining tropical storm intensity and later hurricane intensity within a day of cyclogenesis. On October 21, the hurricane reached its peak intensity with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h). A blocking ridge forced the hurricane to the southwest, while at the same time Raymond began to quickly weaken due to wind shear. The following day, the tropical cyclone weakened to tropical storm status. After tracking westward, Raymond reentered more favorable conditions, allowing it to intensify back to hurricane strength on October 27 while curving northward. The hurricane reached a secondary peak intensity with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) several hours later. Deteriorating atmospheric conditions resulted in Raymond weakening for a final time, and on October 30, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) declared the tropical cyclone to have dissipated.

Despite remaining offshore, Raymond's close proximity to the Mexican coast was enough to prompt tropical cyclone warnings and watches. Due to the threat of rainfall, residents from 81 municipalities in Mexico were ordered to evacuate out of flood-prone regions. Precipitation from Raymond peaked at 7.63 in (194 mm) near Acapulco within a two-day period. Minor flooding resulted from the outer rainbands of the hurricane. Though no deaths were reported, 585 people were rendered homeless. Following the storm, the Mexican government declared a state of emergency for 10 municipalities in Guerrero.