The cyclone John caught the attention of meteorologists and experts by becoming what is called a “zombie” hurricanea phenomenon that occurs when a tropical storm or hurricane weakens, dissipates and then strengthens againas if he “returned from the dead.”
This phenomenon, although uncommonhas been recorded on previous occasions, and now John is the protagonist of this type of climatic event, seriously affecting the southwest coast from Mexico.
​​Since Monday, the hurricane John hovered dangerously close to the mexican coastparticularly affecting the states of Michoacán and Guerrero.
After showing signs of weakening, the hurricane regenerated and became stronger again on Thursday, just when it had already caused significant damage in the region.
The rains torrential that it carries with it have caused landslides, the death of at least five people and the interruption of operations in local ports and airportsleaving many communities cut off and without electricity.
What is a ‘zombie’ hurricane?
The term “zombie hurricane” was coined by the National Weather Service of the United States in 2020, following the unexpected resurgence of the tropical storm Paulette.
this storm had previously affected Bermudadissipating later, only to strengthen again near the Azores Islands days later.
Since then, the term has been used to describe storms that follow a similar pattern of weakening and regeneration.
An example before Paulette it was the hurricane Ivan in 2004, which lasted almost a month. Ivan hit the Caribbean hard and, after dissipating, it regained strength, causing devastation in the United Stateswith damages estimated at 26 billion dollars.
This phenomenon generally occurs when atmospheric and oceanic conditions allow the storm to maintain its basic structureeven after having weakened, and then revived under favorable weather circumstances.
John: an erratic and devastating hurricane
The hurricane John proved to be particularly erratic in their behavior, generating concern among experts.
According to the AccuWeather meteorologist, Jesse Ferrell, John It is a clear example of a zombie hurricane due to its unpredictable behaviorfluctuating between periods of weakening and strengthening.
This pattern complicated the forecast of your career and the damage it could cause as it continues to affect the Mexican coast.
Christopher Rozoff, atmospheric scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, explained that John has moved slowlywhich makes it vulnerable to conditions that facilitate its intensification.
The lack of large atmospheric forces that can divert their coursecombined with its location near the coast, have made it a constant threat for local communities.
Rozoff warned that John could intensify further as it continues to move northwestward, increasing the possibility that cause more extreme rainfall and other natural disasters in the region.
The authorities issued a warning hurricane for a large part of the coast of Michoacán and surrounding areas in Guerrero, which were already severely affected due to the storm earlier in the week.
In Guerrero, John left a trail of destruction: downed trees, tens of thousands of people without power and landslides that caused the death of several people by crushing their homes.
​M.O.
