1986 Pacific hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1986 Pacific hurricane season was less active than the 1985 Pacific hurricane season
1985 Pacific hurricane season
The 1985 Pacific hurricane season was an event in tropical cyclone meteorology. It officially started on May 15, 1985 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1985 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1985...

. It officially started May 15, 1986 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1986 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1986. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when almost all tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. They were four notable storms this year. Hurricane Estelle passed south of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...

, producing $2 million damage and 2 deaths. Hurricanes Newton
Hurricane Newton (1986)
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...

, Paine
Hurricane Paine (1986)
Hurricane Paine in 1986 contributed to one of the most significant flooding events in Oklahoma history. The 16th tropical storm and 8th hurricane of the 1986 Pacific hurricane season, Paine formed on September 28 off the southeast coast of Mexico. It moved around a ridge, later turning to the north...

, and Roslyn
Hurricane Roslyn (1986)
Hurricane Roslyn was the strongest hurricane in the 1986 Pacific hurricane season. The 17th and final named storm of the season, Roslyn developed on October 15 to the south of Mexico. Its movement was initially guided by a ridge to its north, and it became a tropical storm on October 16 and a...

 also struck Northwestern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, but damage was minimal from these three systems. However, Hurricane Paine caused major flooding in the Great Plains
Great Plains
The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S...

 of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, especially in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...

. Paine produced the highest daily rainfall for any station in Oklahoma. The overall flooding event caused $350 million in damage (1986 USD).

Seasonal summary

Activity in the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was formerly the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center responsible for forecasting Pacific hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific east of 140°W...

's (EPHC) area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...

 was above average. There were 25 tropical depressions, one short of the record set in 1982
1982 Pacific hurricane season
The 1982 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 1982 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1982 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1982. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.The...

, which had 26 depressions. The season began with the formation of Agatha on May 22 and the dissipation of Tropical Depression Twenty Five-E on October 25, spanning 147 days. Although it was nearly two weeks shorter than the 1985 Pacific hurricane season
1985 Pacific hurricane season
The 1985 Pacific hurricane season was an event in tropical cyclone meteorology. It officially started on May 15, 1985 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1985 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1985...

, it was six days longer than the long term average. The EPHC issued 406 tropical cyclone advisories, which were issued four times a day at a regular base 0000, 0600, 1200, 1800 UTC. Hurricane Hunters
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...

 also flew in to three storms, Newton, Roslyn, and Estelle. In the former, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...

 conducted an environmental research in to the cyclone. The National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...

 Field Service Station provided the East Pacific with excellent satellite coverage
Weather satellite
The weather satellite is a type of satellite that is primarily used to monitor the weather and climate of the Earth. Satellites can be either polar orbiting, seeing the same swath of the Earth every 12 hours, or geostationary, hovering over the same spot on Earth by orbiting over the equator while...

. Three tropical cyclones made landfall in 1986, with the worst effects were from Roslyn
Hurricane Roslyn (1986)
Hurricane Roslyn was the strongest hurricane in the 1986 Pacific hurricane season. The 17th and final named storm of the season, Roslyn developed on October 15 to the south of Mexico. Its movement was initially guided by a ridge to its north, and it became a tropical storm on October 16 and a...

.

However, only one storm formed in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center of the United States National Weather Service is the official body responsible for tracking and issuing tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for the Central North Pacific Basin...

's (CPHC) area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...

, Tropical Depression One-C. Six other cyclones entered the CPHC area of responsibility from the EPHC area of responsibility, most notably Estelle.

Hurricane Agatha

The 1986 Pacific hurricane season's first tropical disturbance formed 864 mi (1,390.5 km) from the tip of Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...

 on May 20. By 0000 UTC May 22, the circulation began to come together and the EPHC
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was formerly the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center responsible for forecasting Pacific hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific east of 140°W...

 upgraded the disturbance into Tropical Depression One-E that morning. Roughly 48 hours after becoming a tropical depression, Tropical Depression One-E becomes Tropical Storm Agatha, the first storm of the season. Agatha made an abrupt change in direction, going towards the north. Agatha strengthened into a hurricane on May 25 near the coast of Mexico, peaking at 75 mph (115 km/h). Agatha changed direction again, towards the southeast. Agatha quickly weakened into a tropical depression, but regained tropical storm strength on May 28 and May 29, only to dissipate that day. Rainfall spread around both the Mexican coasts
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, peaking at 10.75 in (273.1 mm) at Xicotepec de Juarez.

Tropical Depression Two-E

Tropical Depression Two-E was a short-lived cyclone, a lifetime of only 12 hours. The depression began as a disturbance on May 30 in the eastern Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec is a large body of water on the Pacific coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, southeastern Mexico, at . Most of the hurricanes that form in the Eastern Pacific organize in or near this body of water...

. The disturbance became close to being stationary when it was upgraded to Tropical Depression Two-E on May 31. The depression began to weaken six hours later and the final advisory by the EPHC
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was formerly the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center responsible for forecasting Pacific hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific east of 140°W...

 was released on June 1. Most of Mexico received rainfall, with over 3 in (76.2 mm) totaling on Yucatán Peninsula
Yucatán Peninsula
The Yucatán Peninsula, in southeastern Mexico, separates the Caribbean Sea from the Gulf of Mexico, with the northern coastline on the Yucatán Channel...

. The worst rain was in central Mexico, where over 15 in (381 mm) rain fell, peaking at 18.63 in (473.2 mm) in Tenosique. The rest of Mexico was hit by 1–3 in (25.4–76.2 mm) of rainfall.

Tropical Storm Blas

Tropical Storm Blas formed on June 17 from a tropical disturbance that had originated the day before in the Intertropical Convergence Zone
Intertropical Convergence Zone
The Intertropical Convergence Zone , known by sailors as The Doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together....

 (ITCZ). The disturbance moved at 13 mi/h below a weak upper-level high, strengthening into the third tropical depression of the 1986 season. Winds reached 40 mph (60 km/h) on June 18, indicating that the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Blas. It kept that strength for only six hours, weakening into a depression again as it moved into weaker waters. The EPHC
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was formerly the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center responsible for forecasting Pacific hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific east of 140°W...

 ceased advisories on June 19 after Blas's convection dissipated. Blas did not affect land.

Hurricane Celia

Five days after Tropical Storm Blas dissipated, a tropical disturbance developed south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec is a large body of water on the Pacific coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, southeastern Mexico, at . Most of the hurricanes that form in the Eastern Pacific organize in or near this body of water...

 on June 24. Later that day, its circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....

 had organized enough to upgrade the disturbance into Tropical Depression Four-E. Winds reached 40 mph (65 km/h), upgrading the system into Tropical Storm Celia on June 26. While located off the coast of Mexico, Celia strengthened into a hurricane at 1800 UTC June 27. An eye became evident and Celia reached its peak intensity of 90 mph (145 km/h) on June 28 at 1600 UTC. Celia moved into much cooler water, weakening the storm rapidly. By June 30, Celia had become a tropical depression. The EPHC
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was formerly the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center responsible for forecasting Pacific hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific east of 140°W...

 released its final advisory at 1800 UTC that day as Celia was dissipating. During its duration, Celia had passed by Socorro Island
Socorro Island
Socorro Island is a small volcanic island in the Revillagigedo Islands, a Mexican possession lying some 600 kilometers off the country's western coast at 18°48'N, 110°59'W. The size is 16.5 by 11.5 km, with an area of 132 km².- Geology :...

, however no damage was reported.

Tropical Storm Darby

Tropical Storm Darby, the fifth tropical cyclone of the season, formed as a tropical disturbance on July 2. Moving at about 13 mi/h, the disturbance entered warmer water and strengthening rapidly. The disturbance became Tropical Depression Five-E at 1800 UTC July 3. Depression Five-E turned to the west-northwestward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Darby on July 5. Darby peaked at 40 mph (60 mph). The stormed continued northwest for about six hours, when it reached 77 °F (25 °C) waters and began to a weakening trend. Clouds spread northward over the U.S. States of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

 and southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

 on July 6, only to dissipate on July 7.

Hurricane Estelle

At midday on July 16, a tropical depression formed, and within 12 hours it strengthened into a tropical storm. On July 18, Estelle intensified into a hurricane, and located in a favorable environment, Estelle continued strengthening to become the first major hurricane of the season on July 20. The hurricane entered the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center of the United States National Weather Service is the official body responsible for tracking and issuing tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for the Central North Pacific Basin...

's area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...

 near its peak strength of 135 mi/h. The hurricane veered to west and passed south of the islands. Estelle weakened to a tropical storm on July 23, and on July 25 it weakened to a depression. The storm dissipated two days later.

In advance of Hurricane Estelle, the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...

 issued a hurricane watch and high-surf advisory for the Island of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...

. More than 200 people evacuated from their homes. Huge waves crashed on the shores of the Big Island on the afternoon of July 22. The high waves washed away five beachfront homes and severely damaged dozens of others in Vacation Land. The total damage was around $2 million (1986 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....

; $  USD). However, the only deaths reported were two drowning on Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...

 that occurred on July 23, due to rough surf caused by Estelle.

Hurricane Frank

The EPHC
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was formerly the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center responsible for forecasting Pacific hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific east of 140°W...

 began monitoring a tropical disturbance located 315 km (195.7 mi) out south-west of San Salvador
San Salvador
The city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador...

 at 1800 UTC July 23. About 24 hours later, the disturbance was upgraded into a tropical depression. Initially moving towards the west-northwest due to an upper-level low and a ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....

 over Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

, the storm then turned to the west as the upper-level low changed direction. By July 28, the depression was upgraded into a tropical storm and received the name Frank. After turning back to the west-northwest, Frank reached hurricane intensity early on July 30. The storms quickly developed a well-defined eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...

 and three hours later, reached its peak intensity as a moderate Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...

. The storm maintained its intensity for 18 hours; subsequently, Hurricane Frank began to rapidly weaken over 76 °F (24.4 °C) sea surface temperatures. Wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...

 soon increased, thus accelerating the weakening process. On July 31, Frank was reduced to tropical storm intensity. Not long after weakening into a depression, the storm entered the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center of the United States National Weather Service is the official body responsible for tracking and issuing tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for the Central North Pacific Basin...

's area of responsibility
AOR
-Entertainment:* Album-oriented rock, an American FM radio format* Anukokunda Oka Roju, a 2005 Tollywood film starring Charmy Kaur* AOR – Spirit of The Alarm, band* Arab On Radar, an American noise rock band...

. Wind shear increased further, and upon entering the region, Frank moved over slightly cooler water. It transitioned into an extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...

 on August 3.

Tropical Storm Georgette

On August 3, a tropical depression organized in the open ocean. Twelve hours later, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Georgette before weakening to a depression six hours later. It then accelerated to a very rapid speed of 23-45 mph (37-75 km/h). Due to its fast speed, Georgette could not maintain a closed circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....

, and the tropical storm degenerated into a non-cyclonic disturbance. The disturbance kept up its rapid forward motion, crossed the dateline and entered the western Pacific
Tropical cyclone basins
Traditionally, areas of tropical cyclone formation are divided into seven basins. These include the north Atlantic Ocean, the eastern and western parts of the northern Pacific Ocean, the southwestern Pacific, the southwestern and southeastern Indian Oceans, and the northern Indian Ocean. The...

, where it reformed and reached it's peak intensity as Typhoon Georgette.

Tropical Storm Howard

A tropical disturbance developed about 52 mi (83.7 km) south of Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...

 on August 15. Moving west-northwest south of an upper-level high
High pressure
High pressure in science and engineering is studying the effects of high pressure on materials and the design and construction of devices, such as a diamond anvil cell, which can create high pressure...

, the system was classified as a tropical depression the next day about 127 mi (204.4 km) south of Manzanillo
Manzanillo, Colima
The name Manzanillo refers to the city as well as its surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Colima. The city, located on the Pacific Ocean, contains Mexico's busiest port. Manzanillo was the third port created by the Spanish in the Pacific during the New Spain period...

. Several hours later, the depression reached tropical storm intensity. Turning towards the northwest due to a trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...

, it failed to intensify beyond minimal tropical storm strength. Passing south of the Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...

, the storm rapidly moved over cooler waters, weakening into a tropical depression at 0600 UTC August 18. Transversing over 75 °F (23.9 °C) water, Howard dissipated.

Tropical Storm Isis

A tropical disturbance developed 265 mi (426.5 km) south of Socorro Island
Socorro Island
Socorro Island is a small volcanic island in the Revillagigedo Islands, a Mexican possession lying some 600 kilometers off the country's western coast at 18°48'N, 110°59'W. The size is 16.5 by 11.5 km, with an area of 132 km².- Geology :...

 at 1800 UTC August 18. Twenty-four hours later the disturbance was upgraded into a tropical depression. Over 84 °F (28.9 °C) waters, the depression soon intensified into Tropical Storm Isis. After peaking as a moderate tropical storm at 1200 UTC August 23, Isis weakened into a depression over 74 °F (23.3 °C) early on August 24. While located some 1500 mi (2,414 km) west of the Mexican coast, the tropical cyclone
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...

 dissipated later that day.

Hurricane Javier

On August 19, a tropical disturbance formed 741 km (460.4 mi) south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec is a large body of water on the Pacific coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, southeastern Mexico, at . Most of the hurricanes that form in the Eastern Pacific organize in or near this body of water...

 and 514 km (319.4 mi) south of Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas , commonly called Cabo, is a city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,463 people...

. Satellite imagery
Satellite imagery
Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made by means of artificial satellites.- History :The first images from space were taken on sub-orbital flights. The U.S-launched V-2 flight on October 24, 1946 took one image every 1.5 seconds...

 began to show signs of an atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....

, and the disturbance became a tropical depression. Steadily moved towards the west over 85 °F (29.4 °C) sea surface temperatures, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Javier hours later. Southwest of a ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....

, Javier began to turn towards the west-northwest. Despite an increase in forward speed, Tropical Storm Javier underwent rapid intensification, reaching hurricane intensity at 0900 UTC August 21. About three hours later, Javier reached Category 2 strength, and briefly became a major hurricane on August 22, only to rapidly weaken into a Category 2 hurricane at 1200 UTC and a Category 1 hurricane late on August 23.

Meanwhile, the storm's motions slowed and sharply turned towards the north and eventually towards the northwest. Early on August 24, Javier resumed intensification, regaining Category 3 intensity at 0600 UTC, bypassing the Category 2 stage. Passing midway between Socorro Island
Socorro Island
Socorro Island is a small volcanic island in the Revillagigedo Islands, a Mexican possession lying some 600 kilometers off the country's western coast at 18°48'N, 110°59'W. The size is 16.5 by 11.5 km, with an area of 132 km².- Geology :...

 and Clarion Island
Clarion Island
Isla Clarión, formerly called Santa Rosa, is the second largest, westernmost and most remote of the Revillagigedo Islands, west of Socorro Island and over from the Mexican mainland and an area ². It has three prominent peaks. The westernmost and tallest peak, Monte Gallegos, is high...

, the storm reached its peak intensity of 135 mph (215 km/h). Moving beneath the ridge, Hurricane Javier turned to the west and weakened back into a Category 3 hurricane over 78 °F (25.6 °C) water.

After briefly re-intensifying into a Category 4, the storm resumed weakening due to increasing wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...

, and by late on August 25, Hurricane Javier had weaken directly into a Category 2 hurricane, bypassing the Category 3 stage. Shortly thereafter, Javier was downgraded into a Category 1 hurricane. Even though the hurricane continued to weaken, it managed to maintain marginal hurricane intensity for 24 hours. By 1200 UTC August 28, Javier finally weakened back into a tropical storm. Shortly after that, Javier turned towards the west-northwest due an upper-level trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...

. Now over 74 °F (23.3 °C) waters, the system continued to weaken as wind shear increased further. On August 30, Javier weaken into a depression and dissipated the next day.

Hurricane Javier brought the highest waves of the summer to southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

. This created a dangerous hazard for swimming, but excellent surfing conditions, thus prompting high surf advisories and lifeguards were put on high alert. Some waves were as high as 15 ft (4.6 m). The increased swells collided with an international surfing event and Labor Day Weekend. Due to the former, 600,000 people went to the beaches.

Tropical Storm Kay

A tropical disturbance formed 725 mi (1,166.8 km) east-southeast of Hurricane Javier and nearly 370 mi (595.5 km) south of the Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...

. Moving slowly west over 84 °F (28.9 °C) sea surface temperatures, the disturbance began to develop an atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....

, and was respectively upgraded into a tropical depression on August 23. Passing 12 mi (19.3 km) south of Clarion Island
Clarion Island
Isla Clarión, formerly called Santa Rosa, is the second largest, westernmost and most remote of the Revillagigedo Islands, west of Socorro Island and over from the Mexican mainland and an area ². It has three prominent peaks. The westernmost and tallest peak, Monte Gallegos, is high...

, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Kay. Before reaching its peak intensity, which it maintained for 18 hours, the storm's forward speed increased. Upon moving into cooler water, Kay rapidly weakened, and was downgraded into a depression at 0000 UTC September 2. Kay dissipated the next day several hundred miles west of the Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...

.

Tropical Storm Lester

A westward-moving tropical wave
Tropical wave
Tropical waves, easterly waves, or tropical easterly waves, also known as African easterly waves in the Atlantic region, are a type of atmospheric trough, an elongated area of relatively low air pressure, oriented north to south, which move from east to west across the tropics causing areas of...

 organized into a tropical depression west of 125°W after an increase in thunderstorm activity. Moving westward, the depression soon intensified into Tropical Storm Lester. After turning towards the west-northwest, Lester peak in intensity. Due to a combination of strong wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...

 and cold sea surface temperatures, Lester began a slow weakening trend. When Lester emerged into the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center of the United States National Weather Service is the official body responsible for tracking and issuing tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for the Central North Pacific Basin...

's area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...

, it was already a depression. Unable to maintain a closed atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation
Atmospheric circulation is the large-scale movement of air, and the means by which thermal energy is distributed on the surface of the Earth....

, the final advisory was issued at 1800 UTC September 17.

Tropical Storm Madeline

A tropical disturbance developed on September 13 and 14 over the warm waters south of Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...

. On September 15, the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was formerly the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center responsible for forecasting Pacific hurricanes in the eastern north Pacific east of 140°W...

 first classified the system as a tropical depression. Rapidly moving towards the west, the depression was embedded in deep easterly flow
Ocean current
An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of ocean water generated by the forces acting upon this mean flow, such as breaking waves, wind, Coriolis effect, cabbeling, temperature and salinity differences and tides caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun...

. The system attained tropical storm intensity on 1800 UTC September 1, thus receiving the name Madeline. After turning towards the west-northwest, Tropical Storm Madeline accelerated. It began a slow intensification trend, and peak as a high-end tropical storm on 0600 UTC September 18. An upper-level low introduced strong wind shear
Wind shear
Wind shear, sometimes referred to as windshear or wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere...

, and Madeline began to fall apart almost immediately thereafter. After turning towards the north, and slowing down, Madeline dissipated on September 22.

Hurricane Newton

One of four storms to have major affect on the land, a disturbance became the twentieth depression of the 1986 season on September 18. Intensification was slow as Tropical Depression Twenty-E did not reach storm status until September 20. Now Tropical Storm Newton, the cyclone began to parallel the Mexican coast
Mexican Riviera
The Mexican Riviera refers collectively to twenty cities and lagoons lying on the western coast of Mexico. Although there are long distances between these cities, they are often referred to as the Mexican Riviera because of their popularity among tourists. Cruise ships often visit three or four of...

. Newton strengthened into a hurricane on September 21. Hurricane Newton peaked at about 90 mph (145 km/h) and a minimal pressure of 984 millibars (29.1 inHg). On September 22, Newton slammed into Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas , commonly called Cabo, is a city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,463 people...

 and moved inland into New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...

. Newton dissipated on September 23. However, the remnants of Newton continued across the United States until September 26.

Damage in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

 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. Across Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...

 20,000 customers were without power.

Hurricane Orlene

The 22nd cyclone of the 1986 season formed as a tropical disturbance on September 19. The disturbance was quasi-stationary for about 30 hours, when it strengthened into Tropical Depression Twenty-Two-E on September 21. The depression strengthened at a very rapid rate, become Tropical Storm Orlene 12 hours later and Hurricane Orlene 9 hours after that. The next advisory would be released by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center of the United States National Weather Service is the official body responsible for tracking and issuing tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for the Central North Pacific Basin...

 in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...

 as it moved past the 140°W border line. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center's first advisory had winds at 75 mph (115 km/h). Orlene gained more strength, peaking at 80 mph (130 km/h). Orlene moved into area of strong wind shear, causing rapid weakening. Orlene weakened into a tropical depression on September 24 and advisories ceased soon after. Orlene did not affect land in anyway.

Hurricane Paine

The 23rd cyclone of the 1986 season formed as a tropical disturbance on September 27. The disturbance strengthened into Tropical Depression Twenty-Three-E that night (0000 UTC September 28). Tropical Depression Twenty-Three-E moved northwestward and began to veer around due to an upper-level trough near northern Mexico. At 0000 UTC September 30, the depression became Tropical Storm Paine, southwest of Acapulco. 21 hours later, a NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight found winds of 90 mph (145 km/h), upgrading Paine into hurricane. Paine peaked as a Category 2 hurricane on October 1 as it headed towards the Sea of Cortez. Paine turned northwestward and crossed the coast at San Jose with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). Paine weakened as it moved over land going through Mexico and then entering the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. Paine dissipated over land on October 2. The system continued however, dissipating on October 4 over Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...

.

Rainfall from Paine was significant in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

 and the United States. One to three inches (76 mm) of rain fell in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas , commonly called Cabo, is a city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,463 people...

 with rains around the Mexican mainland peaking at 12 in (300 mm) in Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...

. Near the area around where it made landfall, strong winds knocked down trees and caused disruptions to city services. Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott, Kansas
Fort Scott is a city in and the county seat of Bourbon County, Kansas, United States, south of Kansas City, on the Marmaton River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,087. It is the home of the Fort Scott National Historic Site and the Fort Scott National...

 reported the peak total in the U.S. with 11.35 inches (288.3 mm). In Barnsdall, Oklahoma
Barnsdall, Oklahoma
Barnsdall is a city in Osage County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,325 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was founded in 1905 and originally named Bigheart, for the Osage Chief James Bigheart. It was initially a 160-acre site along the Midland Valley Railroad in March, 1905...

, a station recorded 10.42 inches (26.5 cm) on September 29, which was the highest daily precipitation for any station in the state. Throughout the state, flooding from Paine worsened flooding issues; the flooding affected 52 counties in Oklahoma, which resulted in a total of $350 million in damage. Overall, Paine was described as one of the worst floods in Oklahoma history. About 1,200 people in East Saint Louis, Illinois where left homeless. Many reservoirs were nearly filled to capacity. The Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...

 in St. Louis reached the fifth highest flood stage
Flood stage
Flood stage is the level at which the surface of a river, creek, or other body of water has risen to a sufficient level to cause damage or affects use of man-made structures...

 on record.

Hurricane Roslyn

Tropical Depression Twenty-Four originated as a tropical disturbance which moved westward offshore Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...

. During the early afternoon of the next day, ship reports indicated the formation of a tropical depression close to land. The cyclone moved at a quick pace towards the west-northwest south of a warm-core ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....

. Early on the morning on October 16, Roslyn became a tropical storm. By the morning of the October 17, Roslyn had developed into a hurricane south of Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...

. A vigorous upper trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...

 was deepening offshore Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...

, and Roslyn began to re-curve within a few hundred miles of Manzanillo
Manzanillo, Colima
The name Manzanillo refers to the city as well as its surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Colima. The city, located on the Pacific Ocean, contains Mexico's busiest port. Manzanillo was the third port created by the Spanish in the Pacific during the New Spain period...

. The system struck Mazatlán
Mazatlán
Mazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipio for which the city serves as the municipal seat is Mazatlán Municipality. It is located at on the Pacific coast, across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning...

 as a marginal hurricane on October 20.

Affecting a sparsely-populated area, the highest reported winds from a land station were 44 mph (70.8 km/h). Roslyn produced some flooding, but no serious damage. Impact was limited to flooded homes and factories, as well as some crop damage and beach erosion and only one yacht sunk. The remnants of Hurricane Roslyn produced heavy rainfall across the central and southern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. In Matagorda, Texas
Matagorda, Texas
Matagorda is an unincorporated community in Matagorda County, Texas, United States. It had a population of approximately 710 in 2000. Matagorda is at the end of State Highway 60 and beginning of Farm to Market Road 2031, which runs over the Intracoastal Waterway and south to the Gulf of Mexico...

, a total of 13.8 in (35.1 cm) were reported.

Other storms

Tropical Depression Seven-E began as a giant area of thunderstorms near the large Hurricane Estelle. It strengthened into Tropical Depression Seven-E on July 17. Moving at about 12–13 mph (19.3–20.9 km/h), Depression Seven-E failed to intensify and peaked at 30 mph (50 km/h). Cool sea surface temperatures and the close distance to Hurricane Estelle
Hurricane Estelle (1986)
Hurricane Estelle was the first major hurricane of the above-average 1986 Pacific hurricane season. It formed as a tropical depression formed well southwest of the Baja California Peninsula on July 16, and strengthened into a tropical storm within 24 hours. Located within a favorable environment,...

 eventually caused the depression to dissipate late on July 18.

Tropical Depression Eight-E began over 81 °F (27.2 °C) water on July 21 near 117°W. The depression peaked with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). Eight-E slowed after turning to the west-northwest and dissipated on July 24. Tropical Depression Ten-E had been a steady state tropical depression for about three days before moving into the CPHC
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center of the United States National Weather Service is the official body responsible for tracking and issuing tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for the Central North Pacific Basin...

's area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...

. Tropical Depression Ten-E crossed 140°W near 12°N on July 27 at about 1000 UTC. A slow weakening began as the depression continued to move west at near 30 mph (45 km/h). By 1800 UTC on July 29, it had become poorly organized near 12°N and 148°N, and the final advisory was issued.

Tropical Depression One-C was tracked westward along 11°N at a fairly rapid forward speed of 35 mph (55 km/h) on July 27. The data is sketchy, but it is possible that the depression was formed from the remnants of Tropical Depression Eight-E, which had dissipated a few days earlier well to the east of 140°W. Tropical Depression One-C failed to develop past the depression stage. It passed well south of the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...

 on July 28 with no noticeable effects on the weather. On July 29 at 0000 UTC, it was dissipating to the southwest of the Hawaiian Islands and the final advisory was issued.

Tropical Depression Twelve-E formed near 700 mi (1,126.5 km) south of the Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...

 on August 12. It drifted slowly north-west until it dissipated near 22 °N 110 °W on August 14. Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 35 mph (56 km/h). Tropical Depression Seventeen-E formed on September 8 and dissipated on September 9 without becoming a tropical storm
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...

. Its maximum wind speed was 30 mph (45 km/h).

The twenty-first cyclone of the season formed from a tropical disturbance in the ITCZ. The disturbance moved at about 10 mi/h. The disturbance was declared Tropical Depression Twenty-One-E at 600 UTC September 19. However the depression lasted a short time, only six hours, when it dissipated, possibly due to the close distance between it and Tropical Storm Madeline. Tropical Depression Twenty-five-E was the final tropical depression of the 1986 season. It formed on October 22 at 1800 UTC near the 140°W latitude
Latitude
In geography, the latitude of a location on the Earth is the angular distance of that location south or north of the Equator. The latitude is an angle, and is usually measured in degrees . The equator has a latitude of 0°, the North pole has a latitude of 90° north , and the South pole has a...

 line. A low pressure trough extended a large area, making development very unlikely. 30 hours after forming, the stationary storm dissipated.

Storm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the eastern Pacific in 1986. No names were retired, so it was used again in the 1992 season
1992 Pacific hurricane season
The 1992 Pacific hurricane season was the most active Pacific hurricane season on record. The most notable storm was Hurricane Iniki, which caused billions of dollars of damage to the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricanes Lester, Virgil, Winifred, and Orlene also made landfall and killed several people, but...

. This is the same list used for the 1980 season
1980 Pacific hurricane season
The 1980 Pacific hurricane season was an ongoing event in tropical cyclone meteorology. This season may be described through a series of negatives: no one was killed; no damage was inflicted; and no tropical cyclones made landfall...

. Storms were named Paine and Roslyn for the first time in 1986, although Orlene had been used on the old four-year lists. No central Pacific names were used; the first name used would have been Oka. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.
  • Agatha
  • Blas
  • Celia
  • Darby
  • Estelle
  • Frank
  • Georgette
  • Howard
  • Isis
  • Javier
  • Kay
  • Lester
  • Madeline
  • Newton
  • Orlene
  • Paine
    Hurricane Paine (1986)
    Hurricane Paine in 1986 contributed to one of the most significant flooding events in Oklahoma history. The 16th tropical storm and 8th hurricane of the 1986 Pacific hurricane season, Paine formed on September 28 off the southeast coast of Mexico. It moved around a ridge, later turning to the north...

  • Roslyn
    Hurricane Roslyn (1986)
    Hurricane Roslyn was the strongest hurricane in the 1986 Pacific hurricane season. The 17th and final named storm of the season, Roslyn developed on October 15 to the south of Mexico. Its movement was initially guided by a ridge to its north, and it became a tropical storm on October 16 and a...


  • See also

    • List of Pacific hurricanes
    • List of Pacific hurricane seasons
    • 1986 Atlantic hurricane season
      1986 Atlantic hurricane season
      The 1986 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, 1986, and lasted until November 30, 1986. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin...

    • 1986 Pacific typhoon season
      1986 Pacific typhoon season
      A total of 32 tropical depressions formed in 1986 in the Western Pacific over an eleven month time span. Of the 32, 30 became tropical storms, 19 storms reached typhoon intensity, and 3 reached super typhoon strength...

    • 1986 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
    • Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons: 1985–86, 1986–87

    External links

    The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
     
    x
    OK