| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Linda near peak intensity | |
| Formed | September 7, 2009 |
| Dissipated | September 11, 2009 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 80 mph (130 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 985 mbar (hPa; 29.09 inHg) |
| Fatalities | None reported |
| Damage | None |
| Areas affected | No land areas |
| Part of the 2009 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Linda was a low-end Category 1 hurricane that remained over open waters throughout its existence. The 15th tropical cyclone, 13th named storm, and 6th hurricane of the 2009 Pacific hurricane season, Linda originated out of a tropical wave on September 7 several hundred miles west-southwest of the Baja California Peninsula. Tracking generally towards the west, Linda steadily intensified within a region only slightly favorable for intensification. By September 9, the storm turned northward in response to a weakening subtropical ridge to its north and a new ridge forming to the east. Early on September 10, Linda attained its peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 985 mbar (hPa; 29.09 inHg) following the formation of an eye close to the center of circulation.
However, increasing wind shear displaced the center to the northeast of the low-level circulation. Linda began to weaken and deteriorated into a tropical storm early on September 11. Lacking deep convection, the storm degenerated into a remnant low pressure area later that day. The remnants of the former hurricane persisted for several more days, dissipating roughly 1,195 mi (1,925 km) east of the Hawaiian Islands on September 15.
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Hurricane Linda originated out of a tropical wave that moved off the west coast of Africa into the Atlantic Ocean on August 18, 2009. Traveling westward, the wave eventually split into two systems. One of the systems tracked towards the northwest, eventually becoming Tropical Storm Danny. The other wave continued westward with little development, eventually crossing Central America and entering the Pacific Ocean on August 28. Convection associated with the wave remained minimal until September 3, at which time the system began to become better organized. An area of low pressure developed out of the wave on September 6 and deep convection started to consolidate around the center of circulation. Early on September 7, the low had become sufficiently organized for the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to designate the system as Tropical Depression Fifteen-E. At this time, the depression was located roughly 1,130 miles (1,820 kilometres) west-southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.[1]
Located within an environment characterized by moderately warm sea surface temperatures and modest wind shear, gradual intensification was anticipated as the depression slowly tracked westward.[2] The main steering factor during the early part of the storms' track was a weakening subtropical ridge to the north which gradually collapsed, leading to a slow, northward movement of the tropical cyclone. Several hours after being classified a tropical depression, the system was upgraded to a tropical storm, at which time it received the name Linda, the thirteenth named storm of the season. By September 9, a new ridge developed east of Linda, causing the storm to turn towards the north.[1] Although Linda was maintaining winds of 65 mph (100 km/h), the system was not aligned; the mid and upper-level circulations were displaced from the low-level circulation. However, expansive outflow had established itself to the south and east of the storm.[3]
Late on September 9, Linda became slightly better organized and obtained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h), a low-end Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Shortly after, an eye developed within the hurricane's deep convection; however, this feature was not situated over the center of circulation due to increasing wind shear. Early on September 10, Linda attained its peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a barometric pressure of 985 mbar (hPa; 29.09 inHg).[1] Operationally, however, the NHC assessed Linda to have been slightly stronger, with peak winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) occurring several hours later.[4] Persistent wind shear caused the eyewall to erode and led to overall weakening despite the storm maintaining a well-defined mid-level eye.[5] The combination of decreasing sea surface temperatures and moderate to strong wind shear eventually caused Linda to weaken to a tropical storm by the morning of September 11.[1]
Upon being downgraded to a tropical storm, Linda's center became exposed and lacked deep convection.[6] Entering an increasingly unfavorable environment, with the addition of dry air, all deep convection associated with the storm had dissipated and regeneration was unlikely.[7] Late on September 11, the NHC issued their final advisory on Linda, stating that it had degenerated into a remnant low pressure system.[8] At this time, the system also weakened below tropical storm intensity, with maximum winds reaching 35 mph (55 km/h). The remnants of Linda persisted for several more days, initially tracking southwest before turning due westward. The system eventually dissipated on September 15 roughly 1,195 mi (1,925 km) east of the Hawaiian Islands.[1]
Throughout its existence, Hurricane Linda was never a threat to any landmasses. As such, the National Hurricane Center did not issue any tropical storm watches or warnings and there was no impact associated with the storm. Additionally, no ships recorded tropical storm-force winds in the vicinity of Linda.[1]