1987 Pacific hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1987 Pacific hurricane season was the last year in which the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center
was the primary warning center for tropical cyclones in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The season officially started May 15, 1987 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1987 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1987. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when the vast majority tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
Despite there being twenty named systems, there were very few notable storms this year. Only three storms came anywhere near to threatening land. Hurricane Eugene was the first Pacific hurricane
to make landfall in Mexico in July since the 1954 season and caused the all of the season's three deaths and $2.6 million of the seasons $4.7 million in damage. Tropical Storm Pilar and Hurricane Norma also came close to land, with the former producing record rain in Baja California Sur
. The remnants of Hurricanes Ramon and Norma caused rain in the Continental United States. Elsewhere, Peke was a central north Pacific hurricane that crossed the International Dateline and became a typhoon of the 1987 Pacific typhoon season
.
's area of responsibility
, one storm peaked at hurricane strength (Peke) and one peaked as a tropical storm (Oka). Two tropical storms entered this area of responsibility from the east by crossing 140°W. The season lasted a total 171 days beginning with the formation of Adrian and early June and the dissipation of Tropical Depression Twenty on November 25. There was a total of 924 storms hours and 631 hurricane hours. By comparison, the long-term averages at that time were 161 season days, 875 tropical storm hours, and 664 hurricane hours. 397 advisories were issued, which was below the 1977-1987 average of 428. The Hurricane Hunters
did not fly into any of the storms in 1987. This was also the first year where tropical storm watches and warnings were issued instead of gale watches and warnings for tropical cyclone
s.
The first storm of the season, Adrian, was a tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale
. It was the only tropical storm in June. In July, six named storms formed: Beatriz, Calvin, Dora, Eugene, Fernanda, Greg, and Hilary. Out of these storms, Hilary was the only storm to reach major hurricane status. Hurricane Eugene, a Category 2 hurricane, is responsible for significantly damaging about 15 sq. mi of fruit crop, where damage estimated were at $2.6 million (1987 USD). The month of August had a total of five named storms formed, four of which became hurricanes. However, August did not feature any major hurricanes, though Hurricane Jova came close peaking as a moderate Category 2. One storm, Tropical Storm Irwin, paralleled the coast of Mexico, causing flooding near Acapulco
. Damage was totaled at $2.1 million (1987 USD). The month of September held the same number of named storms as August, with five named storms. The month also was the carrier of the strongest hurricane on record at that time (that had its intensity estimated from satellite imagery
), Hurricane Max, a strong Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Norma was a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, which dissipated to the south of the Baja California Peninsula
. Norma produced rainfall over Baja California
and its remnants later moved into the Southwestern United States
. The remnants of Pilar also produced heavy rain
over Baja California Sur
. The month of October featured only two tropical cyclones. The first system, Ramon, was a Category 4 hurricane.
s of 45 mph (75 km/h) on June 8, Adrian slowly weakened. It fell to tropical depression status on June 9 and dissipated later that day. During its life, Adrian paralleled the Mexican shoreline far offshore before looping counter-clockwise over its path when it was a depression.
on July 5 and immediately strengthened into a tropical storm the next day. Calvin headed generally east. On July 8, as a strong tropical storm. It then gradually weakened, falling to a depression on July 9 and dissipating the next day while located 440 mi (708.1 km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas
.
..
in Mexico
in the year 1987. It developed on July 22 from a tropical disturbance centered well offshore of Mexico. Later that day, the system intensified into a tropical storm, as it was curving northwestward. Further strengthening was gradual, and Eugene eventually reached hurricane status on July 24. Eugene briefly peaked as a Category 2 hurricane on July 26, but weakened back after land interaction with Mexico. Shortly after deteriorating to a Category 1 hurricane, Eugene made landfall near Manzanillo, Colima
. Eugene rapidly weakened inland, and was only a tropical depression when it reemerged into the Pacific Ocean
.
Throughout Mexico, Eugene produced high winds and heavy rainfall, especially in the southwestern portions of the country. The amount of rainfall dropped by Eugene caused it to be the wettest tropical cyclone in five Mexican states. Over 5,000 people were left homeless, and heavy crop damage occurred during the passage of Eugene. Overall, Eugene caused three fatalities and $2.6 million (1987 USD) in damage.
approached. The trough caused wind shear
, which weakened the cyclone into a tropical depression on July 28. Fernanda dissipated three days later.
left the coast of Panama on July 26. It organized into Tropical Depression Ten on July 28 while located 802 mi (1,290.7 km) and it strengthened into a tropical storm the day after the system formed. Over 84 °F (28.9 °C) water, the cyclone steadily intensified as it roughly paralleled the Mexican coast while remaining far offshore. Greg became a hurricane on 1800 UTC July 31 and peaked with wind speeds of 80 mph (130 kmh) on August 1. It then weakened as it moved over cooler water, falling to tropical storm intensity later on August 1. At this time, Greg was located 569 mi (915.7 km) away from Baja California. It then weakened into depression intensity on August 2, and completely dissipating the next day over 22 °C (71.6 °F).
on July 30 and July 31. Steered by a large deep layer ridge that extend as far southwest as Hawaii
and as far northeast as Oklahoma
, the waved moved steadily west-northwest over sea surface temperatures of 84 °F (28.9 °C) and 86 °F (30 °C). Thunderstorm activity increased considerably after 0000 UTC July 31. A tropical depression formed at 1800 UTC July 31 while located 774 mi (1,245.6 km) south of Cabo San Lucas. The cyclone strengthened at a steady pace and reached hurricane intensity on August 1. Hilary continued strengthening, and became a hurricane on August 2. On August 3, the cyclone reached Category 3 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
, making it the first major hurricane of the season. At its peak strength, which it reached on August 4, Hilary had winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). It then weakened, and had fallen to Category 1 intensity on August 5. The hurricane then restrengthened, maintaining Category 2 intensity until August 6. The system then began a terminal weakening trend. By August 7 it was only a tropical storm. After falling to depression strength, Hilary dissipated on August 9 over 21 °C (69.8 °F) waters. In Southern California
, officials hoped that Hilary would produced a major increase in waves in time for a surfing tournament finals and the weather service noted the possibility of a small increase in wave action as well.
. In addition, the storm produced heavy rain
fall in Mexico
, causing $2.1 million in damage. Although many business and homes received damage, no deaths were reported.
. The cyclone intensified into Tropical Storm Jova the next day. the depression initially moved south-southwest due to a ridge
north of the system. It slowly strengthened and reached hurricane intensity on 1800 UTC August 16. The intensifying hurricane then turned west-northwest. When it peaked on August 17, Jova was a moderate Category 2 hurricane over 26 °C (78.8 °F) and 81 °F (27.2 °C) waters. After peaking, Jova slowly weakened as it turned westbound. It was in a moderately declining state when it crossed 140°W and entered the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
's area of responsibility
. Jova continued to weaken, and was a depression by August 20. Jova dissipated two days later while due south of the Big Island of Hawaii over 70 °F (21.1 °C), although it remnants were still visible south of Johnston Atoll
until at least August 24. Jova produced heavy surf for a few days in Southern California
.
organized into Tropical Depression One-C on August 26. Twelve hours later, it was upgraded to a tropical storm and named Oka, which is Hawaiian
for Oscar. Oka slowly moved west-northwest and reached its peak wind speed of 60 mph (95 kmh) on August 27. The next day, a nearby trough
caused wind shear
, which weakened Oka to a depression on August 29 and subsequently destroyed it.
Knut's impact is unknown. However, its name was retired in 1992. Among the official reasons given for this happening include "practical reasons such as a pronunciation
ambiguity or a 'socially unacceptable' meaning in one of the languages", or "because they
represented a significant human disaster not related to the storm."
was located around 858 mi (1,380.8 km) away from the Mexican State of Baja California Sur. Lidia moved northwest, paralleling the Mexican coast. It edged in a more westerly direction for a day before resuming its northwesterly path, and reached hurricane intensity on 0600 UTC September 1. At its strongest, which was attained on September 1 based on intensity estimates via Dvorak classifications, Hurricane Lidia had a wind speed of 85 mph (140 km/h). Shortly thereafter, Lidia began weakening began a weakening phase and lost hurricane intensity on September 2. Lidia weakened very rapidly over cold water. Early the next day, Lidia weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated over 76 °F (24.4 °C) waters on 1200 UTC September 3. As a rapidly dissipating tropical cyclone, forecasters noted the possibly of a slight chance of rain and high waves in Southern California
.
. While located 937 mi (1,508 km) from Cabo San Lucas
, the depression intensified into a tropical storm and was named Max. Heading west-northwest, Max rapidly intensified. It became a hurricane on September 11, 30 hours after begin named.
Turning northeast, Max continued to intensify. By September 20, the intensifying cyclone reached Category 2
intensity, and became a major hurricane several hours later. On September 12, Hurricane Max reached Category 4 intensity. The cyclone reached its maximum windspeed of 155 mph (250 km/h) on September 13.. While attaining its peak intensity, a then-record was set for the highest satellite estimates for a Pacific hurricane
. At that time, Dvorak classifications, a tool to measure a tropical cyclone
s intensity were at 7.0, which was the highest ever at that time. By comparison, Hurricane Linda
of the 1997 Pacific hurricane season
, the strongest Pacific hurricane
ever, had classifications at 7.5 and 9.0 respectively. This also made Max the highest storm of the season. However, its intensity was later matched by Hurricane Hernan of the 1990 Pacific hurricane season
which itself was outstripped by Trudy in October of 1990.
Max maintained its then unprecedented intensity for 24 hours. However, the storm entered the 78 °F (25.6 °C) isotherm
and began to weaken. rapidly. The hurricane's track then shifted north for a time, before turning to the west on September 15. That same day, the weakened to a tropical storm. The tropical cyclone dissipated at 1200 UTC September 16 while located 865 mi (1,392.1 km) north-northeast of Cabo San Lucas. The hurricane was forecasted to send 8 feet (2.4 m) waves
to Southern California
, though Max was well past its peak at that time.
became visible via infrared imagery
. Norma turned northbound and for a while it looked like Norma would move inland. However, this did not occur due to weak southwesterly flow from a cutoff low located west of Baja California Sur
; the cyclone stalled and then edged slightly east when it weakened back into a depression on September 19. Tropical Depression Norma dissipated a mere 93 mi (149.7 km) south of the Baja California Peninsula
; it never made landfall
.
Prior to the remains of Hurricane Norma's arrival in the Southwestern United States
, forecasters were anticipating cloudy skies over San Diego. Over the deserts and mountains near the area, there was also a possibility of heavy rainfall. The remnants ultimately caused rainfall and thunderstorm
s in California
on September 22 and September 23. The rainfall totaled to 0.7 in (17.8 mm) at Lindbergh Field, and 0.97 in (24.6 mm) at Lemon Grove
. There were numerous power outages, small fires, some road flooding, and some property damage. In San Diego and southern Orange County
, 200,000 homes and business lost power, but the power was quickly restored. However, there are no reports of damage or flooding in Baja California
from the storm; the area the tropical cyclone
stuck was sparsely populated.
. It moved over the warm waters south of the Mexican Riviera
from September 17 to September 19. At 0000 UTC September 20, the disturbance was upgraded into Tropical Depression Nineteen-E. Moving northwest to northwest, the storm was located over 86 °F (30 °C) sea surface temperatures. It strengthened into a tropical storm later that day while located 952 mi (1,532.1 km) southwest of La Paz, Baja California Sur
. Eighteen hours later, on September 21, Otis became a hurricane. It also began to turn back to the west and began to undergo period of Rapid deepening
. The hurricane would then reach Category 2 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale
. The next day, Otis reached its peak windspeed of 115 mph (185 km/h). It would oscillate irregularly between that strength and Category 2 intensity until September 24. That day, it began accelerating to the west as it lost strength. This was because of increased wind shear
and 26 °C (78.8 °F) water. Otis fell to tropical storm strength on September 25 and a depression on September 26, it dissipated shortly after that.
Hurricane/Typhoon Peke caused no damages or deaths. However, was also the first tropical cyclone of hurricane strength to cross the dateline since 1967's Hurricane/Typhoon Sarah to cross the dateline at that strength. In addition, Peke was the third tropical cyclone in three years to exist on both sides of the dateline, after 1985's Typhoon Skip and Typhoon Georgette.
. It headed north and peaked as a minimal tropical storm on October 1. After being a tropical storm for a mere six hours, Pilar weakened to a depression and dissipated that same day. It never made landfall, dissipating just south of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula
. It was a tropical cyclone
for a total of 24 hours. The system caused no known damage on land, but Pilar dropped heavy precipitation on Baja California Sur
from 1200 UTC on September 30 till 000 UTC October 2. An observer station
reported 7.15 in (181.6 mm) of rainfall. This was the most the observe station had ever recorded since its founding in 1969.
south of a high pressure area
over Central Mexico
. The storm became better organized over 84 °F (28.9 °C) waters. By October 5, a tropical storm had developed 490 mi (788.6 km) southwest of Manzanillo, bypassing the tropical depression stage. It turned to the west-northwest from the west. It intensified into a hurricane on October 7 and reached major hurricane status on October 8. At its most intense, an event which was attained on October 9 and October 10, Hurricane Ramon had winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). After peaking, Ramon turned to the northwest due to interaction with subtropical jetstream wind
s and rapidly weakened over cooler sea surface temperatures. It became a tropical storm on October 11 and a depression on October 12. It dissipated shortly thereafter.
Forecasters noted the potential for the remains of Ramon to produce up to 5 in (127 mm) of rain and 5 ft (1.5 m) to California
. However, meteorologists were also unsure on the timing of the rainfall. The storm also produced waves along the Mexican coast. In Cabo San Lucas
, 3 ft (0.9144 m) waves were recorded.
The remains of this tropical cyclone
caused extremely heavy rains in Southern California
due to the subtropical jetstream and weterly winds. The highest amount noted was 2.14 in (54.4 mm) at Camp Pendelton with light rain in the San Fernando Valley and in three California counties (Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego). In the northern part of that county, some flooding was reported and storms help firefighters blaze a 16,000 acre wildfire. In Riverside, the system was responsible for heavy rains. As such, the Spring Creek overflowed its banks.
. Whatever effects Tropical Storm Selma might have had are unknown.
The season's next tropical cyclone
, Tropical Depression Three formed six days after the previous one dissipated. Moving west-northwest, it peaked at 35 mph (55 km/h). On June 20, it dissipated.
Tropical Depression Six developed on July 13 about 900 mi (1,448.4 km) southwest of Cabo San Lucas
. The depression had same peak intensity as Three and had dissipated on July 17.
The final tropical cyclone developed at 1800 UTC November 24 around 1000 mi (1,609.3 km) southwest of Baja California Sur
. A very weak cyclone, the depression dissipated on November 25, ending the above average season.
. This is the same list used for the 1981 season
. However, the names Xina, York, and Zelda were added to name lists for odd-numbered years sometime after 1985 due to that year's season
threatening to exhaust the list. Storms were named Pilar and Ramon for the first time in 1987, as the name Selma had been used on the older lists.
Two names from the Central Pacific list were used – Oka and Peke. This was the first usage for both names.
retired one Eastern Pacific name in the spring of 1992: Knut. It was replaced in the 1993 season
by Kenneth.
in Redwood City, California
was responsible for forecasting in this basin, a task it had performed since circa 1972. The EPHC was folded into the National Hurricane Center
, which took responsibility for this basin starting in spring, 1988.
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 the primary warning center for tropical cyclones in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The season officially started May 15, 1987 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1987 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1987. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when the vast majority tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
Despite there being twenty named systems, there were very few notable storms this year. Only three storms came anywhere near to threatening land. Hurricane Eugene was the first Pacific hurricane
Pacific hurricane
A Pacific hurricane or tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that develops in the northeastern part of the Pacific Ocean. For organizational purposes, the northern Pacific Ocean is divided into three regions: the eastern, , central , and western...
to make landfall in Mexico in July since the 1954 season and caused the all of the season's three deaths and $2.6 million of the seasons $4.7 million in damage. Tropical Storm Pilar and Hurricane Norma also came close to land, with the former producing record rain in Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
. The remnants of Hurricanes Ramon and Norma caused rain in the Continental United States. Elsewhere, Peke was a central north Pacific hurricane that crossed the International Dateline and became a typhoon of the 1987 Pacific typhoon season
1987 Pacific typhoon season
The 1987 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1987, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern...
.
Seasonal summary
In the season of 1987, there were 20 tropical storms, 10 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. In the Central Pacific Hurricane CenterCentral 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...
, one storm peaked at hurricane strength (Peke) and one peaked as a tropical storm (Oka). Two tropical storms entered this area of responsibility from the east by crossing 140°W. The season lasted a total 171 days beginning with the formation of Adrian and early June and the dissipation of Tropical Depression Twenty on November 25. There was a total of 924 storms hours and 631 hurricane hours. By comparison, the long-term averages at that time were 161 season days, 875 tropical storm hours, and 664 hurricane hours. 397 advisories were issued, which was below the 1977-1987 average of 428. The 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...
did not fly into any of the storms in 1987. This was also the first year where tropical storm watches and warnings were issued instead of gale watches and warnings for 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...
s.
The first storm of the season, Adrian, was a tropical storm 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...
. It was the only tropical storm in June. In July, six named storms formed: Beatriz, Calvin, Dora, Eugene, Fernanda, Greg, and Hilary. Out of these storms, Hilary was the only storm to reach major hurricane status. Hurricane Eugene, a Category 2 hurricane, is responsible for significantly damaging about 15 sq. mi of fruit crop, where damage estimated were at $2.6 million (1987 USD). The month of August had a total of five named storms formed, four of which became hurricanes. However, August did not feature any major hurricanes, though Hurricane Jova came close peaking as a moderate Category 2. One storm, Tropical Storm Irwin, paralleled the coast of Mexico, causing flooding near 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...
. Damage was totaled at $2.1 million (1987 USD). The month of September held the same number of named storms as August, with five named storms. The month also was the carrier of the strongest hurricane on record at that time (that had its intensity estimated from 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...
), Hurricane Max, a strong Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Norma was a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, which dissipated to the 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...
. Norma produced rainfall over 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 its remnants later moved into the Southwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The remnants of Pilar also produced heavy rain
Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is an interactive drama psychological thriller video game created by Quantic Dream exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The game is written and directed by Quantic Dream's founder and CEO David Cage....
over Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
. The month of October featured only two tropical cyclones. The first system, Ramon, was a Category 4 hurricane.
Tropical Storm Adrian
On June 7, a tropical depression formed 400 mi (643.7 km) southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. It strengthened into a tropical storm immediately thereafter. After peaking with maximum sustained windMaximum sustained wind
The maximum sustained winds associated with a tropical cyclone are a common indicator of the intensity of the storm. Within a mature tropical cyclone, they are found within the eyewall at a distance defined as the radius of maximum wind, or RMW. Unlike gusts, the value of these winds are...
s of 45 mph (75 km/h) on June 8, Adrian slowly weakened. It fell to tropical depression status on June 9 and dissipated later that day. During its life, Adrian paralleled the Mexican shoreline far offshore before looping counter-clockwise over its path when it was a depression.
Tropical Storm Beatriz
On July 3, a tropical depression formed 970 mi (1,561.1 km) south of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It strengthened into a tropical storm later that day. Beatriz slowly strengthened and moved generally northwest as it stayed far offshore. On July 5, Beatriz reached its peak wind speed of 50 mph (85 km/h). It weakened thereafter, falling to a depression on July 6 and dissipating the next day.Tropical Storm Calvin
A tropical depression formed 310 mi (498.9 km) south of MexicoMexico
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...
on July 5 and immediately strengthened into a tropical storm the next day. Calvin headed generally east. On July 8, as a strong tropical storm. It then gradually weakened, falling to a depression on July 9 and dissipating the next day while located 440 mi (708.1 km) southwest 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...
.
Tropical Storm Dora
A tropical depression that had organized on July 15 while located 708 mi (1,139.4 km) south of Cabo San Lucas. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm that same day while located 216 mi (347.6 km) west of Acapulco. Dora headed west-northwest and slowly strengthened. It reached its peak winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) on July 17. It then steadily weakened, becoming a depression two days later. Dora dissipated on July 20 while located 496 mi (798.2 km) west of Cabo San LucasCabo 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...
..
Hurricane Eugene
Hurricane Eugene was the only tropical cyclone to make landfallLandfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
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...
in the year 1987. It developed on July 22 from a tropical disturbance centered well offshore of Mexico. Later that day, the system intensified into a tropical storm, as it was curving northwestward. Further strengthening was gradual, and Eugene eventually reached hurricane status on July 24. Eugene briefly peaked as a Category 2 hurricane on July 26, but weakened back after land interaction with Mexico. Shortly after deteriorating to a Category 1 hurricane, Eugene made landfall near Manzanillo, Colima
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...
. Eugene rapidly weakened inland, and was only a tropical depression when it reemerged into the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.
Throughout Mexico, Eugene produced high winds and heavy rainfall, especially in the southwestern portions of the country. The amount of rainfall dropped by Eugene caused it to be the wettest tropical cyclone in five Mexican states. Over 5,000 people were left homeless, and heavy crop damage occurred during the passage of Eugene. Overall, Eugene caused three fatalities and $2.6 million (1987 USD) in damage.
Tropical Storm Fernanda
At a location more westerly than typical for eastern Pacific hurricanes, Tropical Depression Nine-E formed on July 24. Heading west, the cyclone reached tropical storm intensity on July 25. Fernanda strengthened and reached its peak strength near hurricane status on July 26, the same day it crossed 140°W and entered the central north Pacific. Fernanda headed in the general direction of the Hawaiian Islands as a troughTrough (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...
approached. The trough caused 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...
, which weakened the cyclone into a tropical depression on July 28. Fernanda dissipated three days later.
Hurricane Greg
A tropical waveTropical 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...
left the coast of Panama on July 26. It organized into Tropical Depression Ten on July 28 while located 802 mi (1,290.7 km) and it strengthened into a tropical storm the day after the system formed. Over 84 °F (28.9 °C) water, the cyclone steadily intensified as it roughly paralleled the Mexican coast while remaining far offshore. Greg became a hurricane on 1800 UTC July 31 and peaked with wind speeds of 80 mph (130 kmh) on August 1. It then weakened as it moved over cooler water, falling to tropical storm intensity later on August 1. At this time, Greg was located 569 mi (915.7 km) away from Baja California. It then weakened into depression intensity on August 2, and completely dissipating the next day over 22 °C (71.6 °F).
Hurricane Hilary
A tropical waved moved through Central AmericaCentral America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
on July 30 and July 31. Steered by a large deep layer ridge that extend as far southwest as 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...
and as far northeast as 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...
, the waved moved steadily west-northwest over sea surface temperatures of 84 °F (28.9 °C) and 86 °F (30 °C). Thunderstorm activity increased considerably after 0000 UTC July 31. A tropical depression formed at 1800 UTC July 31 while located 774 mi (1,245.6 km) south of Cabo San Lucas. The cyclone strengthened at a steady pace and reached hurricane intensity on August 1. Hilary continued strengthening, and became a hurricane on August 2. On August 3, the cyclone reached Category 3 status 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...
, making it the first major hurricane of the season. At its peak strength, which it reached on August 4, Hilary had winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). It then weakened, and had fallen to Category 1 intensity on August 5. The hurricane then restrengthened, maintaining Category 2 intensity until August 6. The system then began a terminal weakening trend. By August 7 it was only a tropical storm. After falling to depression strength, Hilary dissipated on August 9 over 21 °C (69.8 °F) waters. In Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, officials hoped that Hilary would produced a major increase in waves in time for a surfing tournament finals and the weather service noted the possibility of a small increase in wave action as well.
Tropical Storm Irwin
A tropical depression formed on August 3 over 1000 mi (1,609.3 km) south of Manzanillo. The depression quickly intensified into a tropical storm. Irwin fluctuated in strength as it closely paralleled the coast of Mexico. On August 6, Irwin reached its maximum winds of 65 mph (100 km/h); it maintained that velocity for over two days. During August 8, Irwin turned nearly due west and headed out to sea. Irwin weakened to a tropical depression on August 9 and immediately dissipated. Forecasters at one point in time noted the possibility of the storm impacting CaliforniaCalifornia
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...
. In addition, the storm produced heavy rain
Heavy Rain
Heavy Rain is an interactive drama psychological thriller video game created by Quantic Dream exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The game is written and directed by Quantic Dream's founder and CEO David Cage....
fall 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...
, causing $2.1 million in damage. Although many business and homes received damage, no deaths were reported.
Hurricane Jova
A tropical depression formed on August 13, while located 1093 miles (1,759 km) south-southeast from Baja California SurBaja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
. The cyclone intensified into Tropical Storm Jova the next day. the depression initially moved south-southwest due to a ridge
Ridge (meteorology)
A ridge is an elongated region of relatively high atmospheric pressure, the opposite of a trough....
north of the system. It slowly strengthened and reached hurricane intensity on 1800 UTC August 16. The intensifying hurricane then turned west-northwest. When it peaked on August 17, Jova was a moderate Category 2 hurricane over 26 °C (78.8 °F) and 81 °F (27.2 °C) waters. After peaking, Jova slowly weakened as it turned westbound. It was in a moderately declining state when it crossed 140°W and 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...
. Jova continued to weaken, and was a depression by August 20. Jova dissipated two days later while due south of the Big Island of Hawaii over 70 °F (21.1 °C), although it remnants were still visible south of Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll
Johnston Atoll is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean about west of Hawaii. There are four islands located on the coral reef platform, two natural islands, Johnston Island and Sand Island, which have been expanded by coral dredging, as well as North Island and East Island , an additional two...
until at least August 24. Jova produced heavy surf for a few days in 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...
.
Tropical Storm Oka
A disturbance in the intertropical convergence zoneIntertropical 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....
organized into Tropical Depression One-C on August 26. Twelve hours later, it was upgraded to a tropical storm and named Oka, which is Hawaiian
Hawaiian language
The Hawaiian language is a Polynesian language that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language of the state of Hawaii...
for Oscar. Oka slowly moved west-northwest and reached its peak wind speed of 60 mph (95 kmh) on August 27. The next day, a nearby 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...
caused 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...
, which weakened Oka to a depression on August 29 and subsequently destroyed it.
Tropical Storm Knut
On August 28, a tropical depression formed 1163 mi (1,871.7 km) west Manzanillo, Mexico. Twelve hours later, it strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Knut. Never attaining winds stronger than 40 mph (65 kmh), Knut stayed a tropical storm for one day. It weakened to a tropical depression on August 30 and dissipated later that day. The cyclone stayed out at sea for its entire life, and never threatened land.Knut's impact is unknown. However, its name was retired in 1992. Among the official reasons given for this happening include "practical reasons such as a pronunciation
ambiguity or a 'socially unacceptable' meaning in one of the languages", or "because they
represented a significant human disaster not related to the storm."
Hurricane Lidia
Lidia originated from a disturbance the entered the basin on August 28. It rapidly moved south of the Mexican coast in an area of warm sea surface temperatures and on 1800 UTC August 29, a tropical depression (numbered Fifteen) formed and intensified into a tropical storm six hours after development. At this time, the tropical cycloneTropical 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...
was located around 858 mi (1,380.8 km) away from the Mexican State of Baja California Sur. Lidia moved northwest, paralleling the Mexican coast. It edged in a more westerly direction for a day before resuming its northwesterly path, and reached hurricane intensity on 0600 UTC September 1. At its strongest, which was attained on September 1 based on intensity estimates via Dvorak classifications, Hurricane Lidia had a wind speed of 85 mph (140 km/h). Shortly thereafter, Lidia began weakening began a weakening phase and lost hurricane intensity on September 2. Lidia weakened very rapidly over cold water. Early the next day, Lidia weakened to a tropical depression and dissipated over 76 °F (24.4 °C) waters on 1200 UTC September 3. As a rapidly dissipating tropical cyclone, forecasters noted the possibly of a slight chance of rain and high waves in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
.
Hurricane Max
A tropical disturbance left Central America on September 8. On 1200 UTC September 9, a tropical depression formed over the warm waters south of the Gulf of TehuantepecGulf 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...
. While located 937 mi (1,508 km) from 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...
, the depression intensified into a tropical storm and was named Max. Heading west-northwest, Max rapidly intensified. It became a hurricane on September 11, 30 hours after begin named.
Turning northeast, Max continued to intensify. By September 20, the intensifying cyclone reached Category 2
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...
intensity, and became a major hurricane several hours later. On September 12, Hurricane Max reached Category 4 intensity. The cyclone reached its maximum windspeed of 155 mph (250 km/h) on September 13.. While attaining its peak intensity, a then-record was set for the highest satellite estimates for a Pacific hurricane
Pacific hurricane
A Pacific hurricane or tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that develops in the northeastern part of the Pacific Ocean. For organizational purposes, the northern Pacific Ocean is divided into three regions: the eastern, , central , and western...
. At that time, Dvorak classifications, a tool to measure a 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...
s intensity were at 7.0, which was the highest ever at that time. By comparison, Hurricane Linda
Hurricane Linda (1997)
Hurricane Linda was the strongest eastern Pacific hurricane on record. Forming from a tropical wave on September 9, 1997, Linda steadily intensified and reached hurricane status within 36 hours of developing. It rapidly intensified, reaching winds of and an estimated central pressure...
of the 1997 Pacific hurricane season
1997 Pacific hurricane season
The 1997 Pacific hurricane season was a very active hurricane season. With hundreds of deaths and billions of dollars in damage, this season was the costliest and one of the deadliest Pacific hurricane seasons. This was due to a strong El Niño...
, the strongest Pacific hurricane
Pacific hurricane
A Pacific hurricane or tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that develops in the northeastern part of the Pacific Ocean. For organizational purposes, the northern Pacific Ocean is divided into three regions: the eastern, , central , and western...
ever, had classifications at 7.5 and 9.0 respectively. This also made Max the highest storm of the season. However, its intensity was later matched by Hurricane Hernan of the 1990 Pacific hurricane season
1990 Pacific hurricane season
The 1990 Pacific hurricane season is the fifth most active season on record. The 1990 season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical...
which itself was outstripped by Trudy in October of 1990.
Max maintained its then unprecedented intensity for 24 hours. However, the storm entered the 78 °F (25.6 °C) isotherm
Isotherm
Isotherm may refer to:* Isotherm a type of contour line that connects points of equal temperature at a given date or time on a geographic map* Isotherm in thermodynamics, a curve on a p-V diagram for an isothermal process...
and began to weaken. rapidly. The hurricane's track then shifted north for a time, before turning to the west on September 15. That same day, the weakened to a tropical storm. The tropical cyclone dissipated at 1200 UTC September 16 while located 865 mi (1,392.1 km) north-northeast of Cabo San Lucas. The hurricane was forecasted to send 8 feet (2.4 m) waves
WAVES
The WAVES were a World War II-era division of the U.S. Navy that consisted entirely of women. The name of this group is an acronym for "Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service" ; the word "emergency" implied that the acceptance of women was due to the unusual circumstances of the war and...
to Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, though Max was well past its peak at that time.
Hurricane Norma
A tropical disturbance developed on September 13 while located 340 mi (547.2 km) southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. Moving northwest, a depression formed on September 14 far from land. It took over 24 hours to reach tropical storm strength. Norma paralleled the coast far offshore. The storm steadily intensified over 84 °F (28.9 °C) sea surface temperatures. On September 17, Norma turned to the north, and became a minimal hurricane for 12 hours as an EyeEye (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...
became visible via infrared imagery
Infrared
Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74 micrometres , and extending conventionally to 300 µm...
. Norma turned northbound and for a while it looked like Norma would move inland. However, this did not occur due to weak southwesterly flow from a cutoff low located west of Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
; the cyclone stalled and then edged slightly east when it weakened back into a depression on September 19. Tropical Depression Norma dissipated a mere 93 mi (149.7 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...
; it never made landfall
Landfall (meteorology)
Landfall is the event of a tropical cyclone or a waterspout coming onto land after being over water. When a waterspout makes landfall it is reclassified as a tornado, which can then cause damage inland...
.
Prior to the remains of Hurricane Norma's arrival in the Southwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, forecasters were anticipating cloudy skies over San Diego. Over the deserts and mountains near the area, there was also a possibility of heavy rainfall. The remnants ultimately caused rainfall and thunderstorm
Thunderstorm
A thunderstorm, also known as an electrical storm, a lightning storm, thundershower or simply a storm is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its acoustic effect on the Earth's atmosphere known as thunder. The meteorologically assigned cloud type associated with the...
s in 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 September 22 and September 23. The rainfall totaled to 0.7 in (17.8 mm) at Lindbergh Field, and 0.97 in (24.6 mm) at Lemon Grove
Lemon Grove, California
Lemon Grove is a city in San Diego County, California. The population was 25,320 at the 2010 census, up from 24,918 as of the 2000 census.-History:...
. There were numerous power outages, small fires, some road flooding, and some property damage. In San Diego and southern Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, 200,000 homes and business lost power, but the power was quickly restored. However, there are no reports of damage or flooding in 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...
from the storm; the area 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...
stuck was sparsely populated.
Hurricane Otis
Otis originated from the a tropical disturbance in the monsoon troughMonsoon trough
The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...
. It moved over the warm waters south of the Mexican Riviera
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...
from September 17 to September 19. At 0000 UTC September 20, the disturbance was upgraded into Tropical Depression Nineteen-E. Moving northwest to northwest, the storm was located over 86 °F (30 °C) sea surface temperatures. It strengthened into a tropical storm later that day while located 952 mi (1,532.1 km) southwest of La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
. Eighteen hours later, on September 21, Otis became a hurricane. It also began to turn back to the west and began to undergo period of Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening
Rapid deepening, also known as rapid intensification, is a meteorological condition that occurs when the minimum sea-level atmospheric pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. The National Weather Service describes rapid deepening as a decrease of...
. The hurricane would then reach Category 2 intensity 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 next day, Otis reached its peak windspeed of 115 mph (185 km/h). It would oscillate irregularly between that strength and Category 2 intensity until September 24. That day, it began accelerating to the west as it lost strength. This was because of increased 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 26 °C (78.8 °F) water. Otis fell to tropical storm strength on September 25 and a depression on September 26, it dissipated shortly after that.
Hurricane Peke
An area of disturbed weather situated southeast of Hawaii gathered enough convection and a closed circulation to become Tropical Depression Two-C on September 21. It immediately strengthened into a storm and was named Peke. Peke continued to strengthen as it tracked north just east of the International dateline. Peke intensified into a hurricane on September 23 and reached Category 2 intensity the next day. Peke continued heading north and shortly after weakening into a Category 1 hurricane, it turned to the northwest and crossed the dateline. It re-intensified, and peaked as a 115 mph (185 km/h) typhoon on September 23. It accelerated to the northwest and began to take in drier air. This weakened Peke. On October 2, Peke re-curved to the southeast. The last advisory on this tropical cyclone was issued on October 3 as it dissipated. Peke's remnants continued drifting erratically for over three days, first heading east, then northwest, and then southeast, at which time they were finally unidentifiable.Hurricane/Typhoon Peke caused no damages or deaths. However, was also the first tropical cyclone of hurricane strength to cross the dateline since 1967's Hurricane/Typhoon Sarah to cross the dateline at that strength. In addition, Peke was the third tropical cyclone in three years to exist on both sides of the dateline, after 1985's Typhoon Skip and Typhoon Georgette.
Tropical Storm Pilar
A tropical depression formed on September 30 while located 328 mi (527.9 km) south of the Baja California PeninsulaBaja 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...
. It headed north and peaked as a minimal tropical storm on October 1. After being a tropical storm for a mere six hours, Pilar weakened to a depression and dissipated that same day. It never made landfall, dissipating just south of the southern tip 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...
. It was a 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...
for a total of 24 hours. The system caused no known damage on land, but Pilar dropped heavy precipitation on Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
from 1200 UTC on September 30 till 000 UTC October 2. An observer station
Weather station
A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for observing atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind...
reported 7.15 in (181.6 mm) of rainfall. This was the most the observe station had ever recorded since its founding in 1969.
Hurricane Ramon
On October 3–4 an area of disturbed weather moved into the Pacific OceanPacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
south of a high pressure area
High pressure area
A high-pressure area is a region where the atmospheric pressure at the surface of the planet is greater than its surrounding environment. Winds within high-pressure areas flow outward due to the higher density air near their center and friction with land...
over Central 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 became better organized over 84 °F (28.9 °C) waters. By October 5, a tropical storm had developed 490 mi (788.6 km) southwest of Manzanillo, bypassing the tropical depression stage. It turned to the west-northwest from the west. It intensified into a hurricane on October 7 and reached major hurricane status on October 8. At its most intense, an event which was attained on October 9 and October 10, Hurricane Ramon had winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). After peaking, Ramon turned to the northwest due to interaction with subtropical jetstream wind
Wind
Wind is the flow of gases on a large scale. On Earth, wind consists of the bulk movement of air. In outer space, solar wind is the movement of gases or charged particles from the sun through space, while planetary wind is the outgassing of light chemical elements from a planet's atmosphere into space...
s and rapidly weakened over cooler sea surface temperatures. It became a tropical storm on October 11 and a depression on October 12. It dissipated shortly thereafter.
Forecasters noted the potential for the remains of Ramon to produce up to 5 in (127 mm) of rain and 5 ft (1.5 m) to 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...
. However, meteorologists were also unsure on the timing of the rainfall. The storm also produced waves along the Mexican coast. 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...
, 3 ft (0.9144 m) waves were recorded.
The remains of this 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...
caused extremely heavy rains in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
due to the subtropical jetstream and weterly winds. The highest amount noted was 2.14 in (54.4 mm) at Camp Pendelton with light rain in the San Fernando Valley and in three California counties (Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego). In the northern part of that county, some flooding was reported and storms help firefighters blaze a 16,000 acre wildfire. In Riverside, the system was responsible for heavy rains. As such, the Spring Creek overflowed its banks.
Tropical Storm Selma
On October 27, a tropical depression formed and headed northwest, gradually re-curving north. It intensified into a 40 mph (65 km/h) tropical storm on October 28. Selma maintained that strength until the next day, when it weakened to a depression. Selma's re-curving continued, and on October 29, it again intensified into a 40 mph (65 km/h) tropical storm. Without further strengthening, it weakened into a tropical depression, headed north northeast, and dissipated on October 31 about 882 mi (1,419.4 km) east of the southern tip of Baja CaliforniaBaja 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...
. Whatever effects Tropical Storm Selma might have had are unknown.
Other storms
On June 10, a weak tropical depression (numbered One) developed. It moved very little and did not affect land. It dissipated on 1200 UTC June 12.The season's next 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...
, Tropical Depression Three formed six days after the previous one dissipated. Moving west-northwest, it peaked at 35 mph (55 km/h). On June 20, it dissipated.
Tropical Depression Six developed on July 13 about 900 mi (1,448.4 km) southwest 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...
. The depression had same peak intensity as Three and had dissipated on July 17.
The final tropical cyclone developed at 1800 UTC November 24 around 1000 mi (1,609.3 km) southwest of Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
. A very weak cyclone, the depression dissipated on November 25, ending the above average season.
Storm names
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the eastern Pacific in 1987. The names not retired from this list were used again in the 1993 season1993 Pacific hurricane season
The 1993 Pacific hurricane season was a very active season that officially started May 15, 1993 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1993 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1993...
. This is the same list used for the 1981 season
1981 Pacific hurricane season
The 1981 Pacific hurricane season was a moderately active Pacific hurricane season with six tropical cyclones directly affecting land. The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1 in the central Pacific, and ended on November 30; these dates conventionally delimit...
. However, the names Xina, York, and Zelda were added to name lists for odd-numbered years sometime after 1985 due to that year's 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...
threatening to exhaust the list. Storms were named Pilar and Ramon for the first time in 1987, as the name Selma had been used on the older lists.
|
|
|
Two names from the Central Pacific list were used – Oka and Peke. This was the first usage for both names.
Retirement
The World Meteorological OrganizationWorld Meteorological Organization
The World Meteorological Organization is an intergovernmental organization with a membership of 189 Member States and Territories. It originated from the International Meteorological Organization , which was founded in 1873...
retired one Eastern Pacific name in the spring of 1992: Knut. It was replaced in the 1993 season
1993 Pacific hurricane season
The 1993 Pacific hurricane season was a very active season that officially started May 15, 1993 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1993 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1993...
by Kenneth.
Administrative changes
This is the last season that the Eastern Pacific Hurricane CenterEastern 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...
in Redwood City, California
Redwood City, California
Redwood City is a California charter city located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco, and 24 miles north of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people, to its tradition as a port for...
was responsible for forecasting in this basin, a task it had performed since circa 1972. The EPHC was folded into the National Hurricane Center
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center , located at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, is the division of the National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting weather systems within the tropics between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 30th...
, which took responsibility for this basin starting in spring, 1988.
See also
- List of Pacific hurricanes
- List of Pacific hurricane seasons
- 1987 Atlantic hurricane season1987 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1987 Atlantic hurricane season was a below-average hurricane season that was limited by an ongoing El Niño. The season officially began on June 1, 1987, and lasted until November 30, 1987, although activity began on May 25 when a tropical depression developed in the east central...
- 1987 Pacific typhoon season1987 Pacific typhoon seasonThe 1987 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1987, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern...
- 1987 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons: 1986–87, 1987–88