Preliminary Report
Tropical Depression Two
2 - 3 July, 1999

This depression formed from a tropical wave that was tracked from the coast of Africa on 20 June. The system was accompanied by a surge in the lower-tropospheric flow, as evidenced by upper-air data over the Caribbean Sea. As the wave moved into the extreme western Caribbean on 30 June, a broad area of lower- to mid-tropospheric cyclonic turning was noted. The system moved over the Yucatan peninsula on 1 July. Surface observations suggested that a weak surface low moved from Yucatan into the Bay of Campeche early on 2 July. Later that day, deep convection became more organized over the extreme southwest Gulf of Mexico, and reports from a ship, call sign 9VBK, of northwesterly winds of 20-25 knots about 60 n mi west-southwest of the estimated center, indicates that a tropical depression had formed by 1800 UTC 2 July (Table 1 and Fig. 1). Around 0400 UTC 3 July, the center of the depression crossed the coast of Mexico about 35 n mi south-southeast of Tuxpan. A few hours later, the cyclone weakened to dissipation over the mountains of Mexico. Reported rainfall totals (24 hr) ranged from 105 to 317.3 mm (4.13 to 12.49 in). There were no known casualties or damages.

 

Table 1. Best track, Tropical Depression Two, 2-3 July, 1999

Date/Time (UTC)	Position		Pressure (mb)	Wind Speed (kt)	Stage
	Lat. (°N)	Lon. (°W)
2/1800	20.2	95.0	1006	30	tropical depression
3/0000	20.6	96.3	1004	30	"
3/0600	20.4	97.3	1005	25	"
3/1200					dissipated
3/0000	20.6	96.3	1004	30	minimum pressure
3/0400	20.5	97.0	1004	30	landfall near Tecolutla, Mexico (about 35 nautical miles south-southeast of Tuxpan)