| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Newton | |
| Formed | September 18, 1986 |
| Dissipated | September 23, 1986 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 85 mph (140 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 984 mbar (hPa; 29.06 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Damage | Minimal |
| Areas affected | Mexico, inland United States |
| Part of the 1986 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Newton was one of the two storms that was intercepted by Hurricane Hunter flights during the moderately active 1986 Pacific hurricane season. A tropical depression formed near Central America on September 18. It did not reach tropical storm status until September 20. Moving towards to northwest, Newton strengthened into a hurricane on September 21. The hurricane reached its peak intensity at about 85 mph (145 km/h). On September 22, Newton move ashore near Cabo San Lucas and moved inland into the mainland the next day. Newton dissipated on September 23. However, the remnants of Newton continued across the United States and eventually entered the Atlantic Ocean. Damage in Mexico was minor and no fatalities were reported in association with Newton, though the remnants produced heavy rains in the Central United States.
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The origins of Newton are from an area of disturbed weather near Nicaragua in mid-September. Steered by an upper-level trough, the system moved westward and developed into a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on September 18. It was located beneath an anticyclone and over sea surface temperatures of 84 °F (29 °C).[1][2] The system intensified as it paralleled the Mexican coast, and was upgraded into Tropical Storm Newton early on September 20. After continued intensification, Newton attained hurricane strength at 0600 UTC September 21.[2][3]
From 1800 UTC September 21 to 0000 UTC September 22, a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigated the hurricane, observing winds of 74 mph (119 km/h) to 79 mph (127 km/h) and a pressure of 984 mb. Newton was one of the two storms of the season to receive such a flight; the other storm was Hurricane Paine later that month. At 1800 UTC September 22, Hurricane Newton made landfall just east of Cabo San Lucas as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. After emerging into the Gulf of California, the storm reached its peak wind speed of 85 mph (137 km/h) about 60 mi (97 km) north of La Paz, Baja California Sur.[3] By 1800 UTC, the hurricane moved ashore near Punta Rosa and quickly dissipated.[2] The remnants of the cyclone moved into New Mexico and then the Central United States until entering the Atlantic Ocean from the Mid-Atlantic States late in the month.[1]
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center noted the threat high waves, storm surge, and flooding. In addition, the navy, army, and police were on high alert in populated areas such as La Paz due to the hurricane. While they were no emergencies, moderate rainfall was recorded,[4] with a country-wide peak of 9.23 inches (234 mm) in Jopala.[1] Damage in Mexico was minor with roofs being ripped off and high winds blowing down trees and utility poles. No injuries or fatalities were reported in association with Newton.[5][6] Along with a cold front over the Great Plains, Newton was predicted to cause heavy rains over New Mexico and western Texas, so flash flood warnings and watches were issued by the National Weather Service for parts of western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.[7][8] The highest rainfall total was 5.88 inches (149 mm) in Edwardsville, Kansas. The rainfall extended as far east as Pennsylvania.[1] Across Kansas City, Missouri, 20,000 customers were without power since heavy rainfall downed power lines.[9]