Weather Report for Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico

WEATHER REPORT FOR LORETO, B.C.S. MEXICO
updated on: February 11, 2010

SEAS OFF LORETO

Seas have been moderate rough off Coronado Island and Punta Colorado where we've been fishing lately. North winds are prevailing on most days and cause seas to build up. Periods of 3-5 days with wind and rough seas are interrupted by one or two calm days. Usually one day is required for sea surface to recover after a windy period. The seas are quite high the further you go out to sea and this is one reason we're sticking close to shore (the other is we're finding fish close to shore too). Cloud cover and occasional showers will precede cold fronts. We've already had a series of cold fronts so far this season and expect more. Cold fronts bring cold air and winds with them and usually come from the North or Northwest. This is typical December-January-February-early March weather.

Current Sea Surface Temperatures (based on the satellite taken at 02:12 February 6, 2010 with four stars):

Inshore 67 - 71 F (19 - 22 C)
Offshore n/a (we're fishing offshore for the season)

For description of the locations discussed in this report, please visit our maps section.

CURRENT AMBIENT CONDITIONS

Winter is here and we're feeling it! We've already had a series of cold fronts pass through bringing cold air and wind. Our sea surface temperatures are bottoming out for the yearly cycle which is contributing to our low air temperatures. At this point in the year, North winds are prevailing and we're experiencing the cyclic North wind patterns that are typical of winter here. Highs won't go much past 70F (21C), but as long as you're in the sun with the wind blocked you'll be comfortable. The moment the sun is covered by clouds, sets behind the mountains or you're exposed to the winds it will feel like winter again. Nights are cool and temperatures can approach freezing.

Periodic cold fronts will affect Loreto's climate through February and early March. This is the coldest time of year here and the conditions we're reporting are typical for this season. When cold fronts come through we may receive light rainfall throughout the day with periods of heavy precipitation, overcast skies and cold air with wind. Clear skies and high atmospheric pressure generally bring on strong winds from the North or Northwest. North winds generally start to build in the late morning and are preceded by very cold still nights and early morning fog.

Current Air Temperature Ranges:
Daytime temperature range: 64 - 74 F, 18 - 23 C
Night time temperature range: 42 - 59 F, 5 - 15 C
Relative humidity: 0 - 20%

LORETO, B.C.S.: SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS OF THE PAST

NEW! Hurricane Jimena (29 August - 4 September, 2009): Hurricane Jimena traveled over the baja peninsula from Magdelena Bay to the Sea of Cortez destroying several cities in its path; San Carlos, Lopez Mateos, Santo Domingo valley, Villa Insurgentes, Ciudad Constitucion, San Ignacio, Santa Rosalia and Mulege were all affected by the high winds and flood waters of this powerful storm. Loreto was spared and experienced very little damage.

Hurricane Jimena from the Space Shuttle

archived: Hurricane Henriette (3 September, 2007): Hurricane Henriette's eye got within 60 miles to the south of Loreto on Wednesday September 3, 2007. No damages were reported.

archived: Hurricane John (28 August - 5 September, 2006): Hurricane John brushed by the West side of Loreto on Saturday September 2, 2006. The town of Loreto was spared from major damage and loss of life. Loreto has recovered from the damages of the hurricane and its actually difficult to tell that we had a storm of this size here.

Wikipedia link: Hurricane Marty (18 - 22 September, 2003): The next time a timeshare agent mis-informs you about Loreto not being at risk for major tropical cyclones, this one was the most destructive storm in recent memory for Loreto. Marty was borderline category 2 when it passed by Loreto on its way North right up the Sea of Cortez. The eye of the storm was within 30 miles of town. The winds were extremely strong and the rains created torrents of water throughout town. I was fool enough to go out in it right when it was approaching and after that experience (where I almost lost my life) I will NEVER go out in a storm again. I have photos in the archives taken the following day of the damage that was done around town and the marina and will repost these soon. I have never written about my experience in Hurricane Marty because just thinking of what almost happened during that storm scares the crap outta me!

Wikipedia link: Hurricane Liza (25 September - 1 October, 2003): This destructive and deadly storm formed in the Eastern Pacific ocean about 450 miles South of Acapulco. It intensified into a category 4 storm and slowly made its way North eventually making landfall near Guaymas, Sonora. Although Loreto didn't receive a direct hit we did experience major flooding from rains, in fact the estero in front of Hotel Oasis was formed by this storm. In La Paz it is reported that thousands died when a levy broke. Unofficial reports from witnesses say thousands of people were washed into the sea then eaten by sharks. This is the result of a category 4 coming into the Sea of Cortez and careless building in areas that are prone deluge rainfall.

Wikipedia link: The Hurricane of 1959 (mid September, 1959): After Hurricane Jimena (2009) spared us but devistated surrounding towns, the old timers started to discuss past storms that affected Loreto. Wikipedia does not have much information but I will investigate this more. From what I gather, Loreto was virtually wiped out from flooding and high winds. The Wiki link does not go into detail on this storm but likely this was not the famous "Mexico" storm that hit near Manzanillo as a category 5 in the same year. The image shows the path of the 1959 storms and the one that appears to have made landfall near Cabo San Lucas is probably the "hurricane of '59" that the old timers are referring to. From the map is appears to have stayed to the East of the Sierra de la Giganta mountains which is why the storm produced so much rain. The effect the "hurricane of '59" had on Loreto was likely very much like Hurricane John in 2006.