Lidia — 2023

A tropical depression formed about 500 nautical miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico, around 0000 UTC on 3 October 2023 from a tropical wave that crossed Central America. The system drifted generally westward through 6–9 October while slowly strengthening, then turned north-northeast and intensified into a hurricane around 1800 UTC 9 October. Lidia underwent rapid strengthening on 10 October and moved quickly east-northeast toward the Mexican coast before making landfall early on 11 October. The circulation weakened rapidly over Mexico and became a remnant low by about 1200 UTC 11 October. Lidia made its only reported landfall near Las Peñitas in the state of Jalisco at approximately 0000 UTC 11 October (just before or around midnight local time), about 35 nautical miles southwest of Puerto Vallarta. After crossing the coast, the cyclone moved inland across mountainous terrain and weakened below tropical storm strength by about 0600–1200 UTC on 11 October. The storm’s maximum sustained winds at peak were estimated at 120 knots (138 mph), with a minimum central pressure of 942 mb, making Lidia a high-end Category 4 hurricane at peak intensity at landfall. Aircraft observations recorded flight-level winds and surface estimates that supported the peak intensity shortly before landfall. No direct storm surge measurements were available near the landfall site, though substantial coastal inundation was considered likely near and just south of where the center crossed the coast. The highest reported rainfall total tied to Lidia was 11.95 inches (303.6 mm) at Suchitlán, in the state of Colima. Heavy rains and flooding affected areas around Puerto Vallarta and parts of Jalisco, Colima, and Nayarit. Three direct deaths in Mexico were attributed to Lidia: one person drowned attempting to cross an overflowing stream in Jalisco, one person was killed when a tree fell on a car near Punta Mita in Nayarit, and one person died in a bridge collapse in Villa de Álvarez, Colima. Significant local damage included downed trees, roof damage near Puerto Vallarta, blocked sections of Federal Highway 200 from landslides, and particularly notable damage in the municipality of Tomatlán. The governor of Jalisco reported estimated damages of about $77.6 million (U.S.), an incomplete figure. Noteworthy items include that Lidia’s rapid intensification on 10 October prior to landfall was underestimated by forecasts, and no storm-surge observations were recorded at the coast. Watches and warnings, including hurricane watches and warnings, were issued 31–50 hours before the onset of tropical-storm-force winds in the landfall area.