Tropical Storm Max Slams Guerrero Coast With Flooding Rain
Tropical Storm Max formed as a tropical depression at 1800 UTC on October 8, 2023, over the Eastern Pacific near 14.7°N and 100.1°W. The system strengthened into a tropical storm at 0000 UTC on October 9, reaching peak intensity later that day with maximum sustained winds of 60 kt and a minimum central pressure of 990 mb. Max made landfall near Puerto Vicente, Guerrero, Mexico, at 17.4°N and 101.2°W on October 9, 2023. The cyclone produced rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches, with local amounts reaching 12 inches, caused two deaths, and generated approximately $38.6 million in damage before dissipating at 0600 UTC on October 10, 2023.
Genesis Over Eastern Pacific: Max Organizes Near Mexico Coast
Tropical Storm Max originated from a tropical disturbance over the Eastern Pacific near the southwestern coast of Mexico in early October 2023. The National Hurricane Center’s final best track identifies the system as a tropical depression at 1800 UTC on October 8 near 14.7°N and 100.1°W.
At formation, the depression had maximum sustained winds of 25 kt and a central pressure of 1007 mb. The system moved northward near the Mexican coast while convection increased around the developing circulation. At 0000 UTC on October 9, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Max.
Max continued strengthening during October 9 as it moved toward the Guerrero coastline. The storm reached its maximum intensity at 1800 UTC on October 9 near 17.3°N and 101.1°W, with maximum sustained winds of 60 kt and a minimum central pressure of 990 mb in the final best track dataset.
The cyclone reached peak strength shortly before reaching the coast. Its period as a tropical storm lasted from 0000 UTC October 9 until weakening after landfall over southern Mexico.
Guerrero Landfall: Torrential Rain Triggers Deadly Flooding
Tropical Storm Max made landfall on October 9, 2023, near Puerto Vicente, Guerrero, Mexico. The National Hurricane Center’s final best track places the landfall position at 17.4°N and 101.2°W, where the storm arrived with maximum sustained winds near its peak intensity.
Rainfall emerged as the most destructive force from Max. The cyclone produced widespread rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches across affected areas, with isolated maximum amounts reaching 12 inches. Heavy precipitation caused flooding across portions of Guerrero and surrounding areas, particularly where mountainous terrain increased runoff rates.
The National Hurricane Center reported two fatalities associated with the storm’s impacts. Flooding, heavy rainfall, and storm conditions affected communities in southwestern Mexico as Max moved inland after crossing the coast.
The storm’s effects were concentrated along the Guerrero coastline and nearby inland areas, where steep terrain and river systems increased the risk of rapid flooding. Max produced significant rainfall impacts despite remaining below hurricane strength throughout its lifecycle. The cyclone caused approximately $38.6 million in damage across the affected region.
Mountainous Terrain Halts Max: Cyclone Dissipates Over Southern Mexico
After making landfall near Puerto Vicente, Guerrero, Max moved inland across southern Mexico and weakened as its circulation interacted with mountainous terrain. The storm rapidly lost organization after crossing the coast, with decreasing winds and weakening convection.
The National Hurricane Center’s final best track shows Max dissipating at 0600 UTC on October 10, 2023. The final recorded position of the cyclone was near 17.9°N and 100.8°W, where the system no longer maintained tropical cyclone intensity.