Hurricane Andres (2009)

Meteorological history

The system that became Andres originated from a disturbance over the tropical eastern Pacific. Favorable conditions such as warm sea surface temperatures and initially low vertical wind shear allowed the system to organize and develop deep convection. The storm briefly reached hurricane intensity while located well offshore of Mexico. A relatively sharp increase in adverse environmental factors — including stronger wind shear, possible entrainment of drier air, and movement over cooler waters — best explains the rapid weakening observed on June 24.

Development timeline

1. Early June 2009: a tropical disturbance consolidates over the eastern Pacific and is monitored for development.
2. Mid-June: the disturbance intensifies and is designated Tropical Storm Andres, the first named storm of the season.
3. Prior to June 24: Andres reaches hurricane strength while still over open water.
4. Morning of June 24: Andres quickly weakens to tropical storm status.
5. Afternoon of June 24: downgraded to a tropical depression and soon thereafter begins to dissipate.

Characteristics and behavior

Andres displayed features typical of short-lived eastern Pacific hurricanes: a compact core of deep convection that can intensify rapidly when environmental conditions are favorable, and sensitivity to changes in wind shear and ocean heat content. Its life cycle underscores how quickly tropical cyclones in the region can strengthen or decay depending on local atmospheric and oceanic factors.

Impacts and preparedness

Because Andres remained primarily over the open ocean, there were no widely reported catastrophic impacts on land. Offshore, such systems can produce hazardous seas, high surf, and gusty conditions along nearby coastlines, and maritime interests are routinely advised to monitor forecasts. Local authorities and meteorological agencies typically issue watches, warnings, or advisories when a storm threatens coastal areas or shipping lanes.

Significance

As the first named storm of the 2009 eastern Pacific season, Andres marked the beginning of that year's tropical activity in the basin. The eastern Pacific hurricane season officially runs from May 15 to November 30, and early-season storms like Andres are reminders of the season's potential to produce rapid changes in storm intensity. Studying such short-lived hurricanes helps meteorologists improve forecasts of rapid intensification and weakening in tropical cyclones.