Hurricane John (2024) facts for kids
John at peak intensity while it approached the coast of Mexico early on September 24
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| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 22, 2024 |
| Category 3 tropical cyclone | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 120 mph (195 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 959 mbar (hPa); 28.32 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 3 total |
| Areas affected | Southern Mexico (especially Oaxaca and Guerrero) |
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Part of the 2024 Pacific hurricane season |
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Hurricane John is currently an active tropical cyclone that re-formed off the Pacific coast of Mexico. The eleventh tropical storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2024 Pacific hurricane season, John originated from a low-pressure area offshore Southern Mexico. This low would develop into Tropical Depression Ten‑E on the afternoon of September 22, strengthening into Tropical Storm John the following morning. Undergoing rapid intensification, John would develop from a moderate tropical storm into a Category 3 hurricane on September 24. It was at that intensity that John made landfall in Marquelia, Guerrero later that day. Once inland, John rapidly weakened, dissipating over Mexico later that day. However, the mid-level remnants of John moved back over water; the following day, the cyclone reformed into a tropical storm offshore southern Mexico.
Upon the formation of John as a tropical cyclone at 21:00 UTC on September 22, tropical storm watches and warnings were issued in Guerrero and Oaxaca. As John rapidly intensified, some of these were upgraded into hurricane warnings. More than 80 emergency shelters were prepared and 3,000 people were evacuated. Once John made landfall, Areas along the coast experienced mudslides as over 250 mm (10 in) of rain fell across parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca. Over 98,000 people lost power in Oaxaca, and as of September 25, three deaths have been reported.
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Meteorological history
On September 21, an area of low pressure producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms formed off the coast of southern Mexico. The system became better organized the following day and attained a closed surface circulation, resulting in the formation of Tropical Depression Ten‑E on the afternoon of September 22, about 175 mi (280 km) south of Punta Maldonado, Guerrero. The system continued to develop that night, and strengthened into Tropical Storm John at 06:00 UTC the following morning. While moving slowly to the north-northeast on September 23, caught in the southwesterly flow associated with the monsoon trough near Central America, John commenced to rapidly intensify. It became a Category 1 hurricane at 17:45 UTC that same day, and then, just nine hours later, reached Category 3 major hurricane intensity with sustained winds of 105 kn (121 mph; 194 km/h). It was at that intensity that John made landfall in Marquelia, Guerrero, about 25 mi (40 km) northwest of Punta Maldonado, at 03:20 UTC on September 24. John rapidly weakened inland, with its winds falling to tropical storm strength about 12 hours later. By 18:00 UTC on September 24, John dissipated over the rugged terrain of southern Mexico.
An elongated trough developed in association with John's remnants as the cyclone dissipated. The trough produced a large area of shower and thunderstorm activity, and began showing signs of organization on September 25. Ship observations indicated significant pressure falls within the system, and by 15:00 UTC, John reformed into a tropical storm.
Preparations
Upon the formation of John as a tropical cyclone at 21:00 UTC on September 22, a Tropical Storm Watch was issued from Punta Maldonado, Guerrero, to Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. At 09:00 UTC the following day, this was changed to a Tropical Storm Warning from Punta Maldonado to Huatulco, with a Tropical Storm Watch extending to Salina Cruz. A Hurricane Watch was declared within the Tropical Storm Warning area. The Hurricane Watch was upgraded to a Hurricane Warning a few hours later. A red emergency alert was issued for Guerrero and Oaxaca. John threatened parts of Mexico still recovering from Hurricane Otis the previous year, which underwent a similar rapid intensification phase. Tourists in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, were expected to be evacuated by the Secretariat of Civil Protection (SSPC). Businesses across the city were closed. The Puerto Escondido International Airport also closed for the duration of the storm. More than 80 emergency shelters were prepared and 3,000 people were evacuated. The Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) deployed over 1,400 electricians and several cranes and emergency power plants to respond to power outages in affected regions. Schools were closed in Guerrero and Oaxaca.
Impact
At a presidential news briefing the morning after landfall, Governor of Guerrero Evelyn Salgado reported two deaths caused by a landslide in the municipality of Tlacoachistlahuaca. Areas along the coast experienced mudslides while tin roofs were blown off several houses. Over 250 mm (10 in) of rain fell across parts of Guerrero and Oaxaca within the first few hours after John's landfall. Over 98,000 people lost power in Oaxaca, where 18,000 armed services members and government workers were deployed to assist in emergency response operations. Torrential rains also fell across the neighboring states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Michoacán and Puebla.
See also
- Weather of 2024
- Tropical cyclones in 2024
- Hurricane Pauline (1997) – deadly storm that followed a similar track
- Hurricane Carlotta (2012) – followed a similar track
- Hurricane Agatha (2022) – affected the same area
