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Tropical Storm Kika (2008)
Encyclopedia
Tropical Storm Kika was the only tropical cyclone
to form in the central Pacific basin
in the 2008 Pacific hurricane season
and the first to form in the basin since Hurricane Ioke
in 2006
. Kika developed out of a tropical wave
which was first noted on August 5 while located 1,200 mi (1,930 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The wave gradually developed and was declared Tropical Depression One-C the next night. The depression was upgraded further to Tropical Storm Kika that same night. Kika moved towards the west-northwest but was impacted by light to moderate wind shear
. This shear led to the storm relocating its center on August 8. Upon relocating, Kika was downgraded to a tropical depression. This was only temporary as Kika was upgraded back to tropical storm status that night. However, a few days later, Kika was downgraded to a tropical depression again. The depression then degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area
on August 12 and the final advisory from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
was issued. The remnant low continued moving towards the west-northwest before crossing the International Date Line
and moving into the western Pacific basin
on August 14. Shortly after entering the western Pacific, Kika regenerated into a tropical depression. Kika did not develop further and dissipated on August 16.
began monitoring an area of low pressure
embedded in a surface trough
1,200 mi (1,930 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii for signs of development. Despite the system being disorganized, it was in an area favorable for development and slow development was anticipated. The system became better organized later in the day as the system was classified as a tropical disturbance, but it was still embedded within the trough. The disturbance gradually developed throughout the day and by the nighttime hours, a tropical cyclone formation alert
was issued as the formation of a tropical cyclone out of the system was anticipated over the following 24 hours. The disturbance was declared Tropical Depression One-C later that night while located 850 mi (1,370 km) southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The depression was being steered toward the west at 14 mph (22 km/h) by easterly trade winds caused by large subtropical high pressure area
located northeast of Hawaii
.
The depression was quickly upgraded to Tropical Storm Kika late that night as the Dvorak technique
—a system used to estimate the intensity of a tropical cyclone—rendered a T2.5, which corresponds to an intensity of 40 mph (65 km/h). The direction of the storm shifted slightly upon being upgraded as well towards the west-northwest. By the morning of August 7, wind shear
of about 12 mph (19 km/h) was impacting the small storm, restricting outflow to the eastern side of the storm. Despite being in an area favorable for development, Kika was not intensifying. However, the five-day forecast showed modest intensification to a strong tropical storm with winds peaking at 60 mph (95 km/h). The overall structure of Kika remained unchanged for the rest of the day as it continued towards the west-northwest. By the morning of August 8, Kika became slightly disorganized as the easterly flow which had been steering the storm and restricting the outflow to the east began to have a greater impact on the system. Intensity estimates dropped below tropical storm
intensity. However, since the estimates dropped not long before the advisory came out, Kika was not downgraded. With the first visible satellite images of the day taken of Kika, an exposed low was discovered. The storm had also relocated to the southwest and was downgraded to a tropical depression based on the lack of convection
.
However, deep convection quickly redeveloped in the afternoon and forecasts showed Kika re-strengthening into a tropical storm that night. That evening, as forecast, Kika re-intensified and was upgraded to a tropical storm again. Despite deep convection remaining near the center of the storm, the overall structure of Kika became less organized just before noon on August 9. Despite wind shear significantly diminishing, the storm was moving over cooling water, which lessened intensification. Thunderstorm activity gradually became better organized throughout the rest of the day but intensity estimates were showing that Kika had weakened to a tropical depression once more. Against the estimates, due to the increase in organization, Kika remained a tropical storm through the night. However, the structure of Kika once more became disorganized and by the morning of August 10, the storm was barely a tropical storm, with an intensity, in the forecasters words, a "generous 35 kt" (40 mph 65 km/h). This deterioration trend continued through the afternoon and led to Kika being downgraded to a tropical depression. Only isolated bursts of thunderstorms remained around the center and satellites found winds of only 25 mph (40 km/h).
On the morning of August 11, a sudden redevelopment in convection led forecast models to re-intensify Kika once more. One model, called SHIPS, showed Kika reaching typhoon status—since Kika was forecast to cross the International Date Line
in 48–72 hours. The redevelopment was short lived, as by the afternoon of that same day, the storm rapidly deteriorated, leaving the low-level circulation partially exposed. Kika degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area
that night and the final advisory from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center was issued while the storm was located 400 mi (645 km) south-southwest of Johnston Island. The remnant low was last noted on August 14 as it crossed the International Date Line, out of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility. Shortly after crossing the dateline, the remnant low entered the western Pacific basin and regenerated into a tropical depression. The depression continued to move towards the west-southwest before dissipating on August 16 over open waters.
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...
to form in the central Pacific basin
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...
in the 2008 Pacific hurricane season
2008 Pacific hurricane season
The 2008 Pacific hurricane season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It officially started May 15, 2008 in the eastern Pacific, started on June 1, 2008 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 2008....
and the first to form in the basin since Hurricane Ioke
Hurricane Ioke
Hurricane Ioke was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Central Pacific...
in 2006
2006 Pacific hurricane season
The 2006 Pacific hurricane season was the most active Pacific hurricane season since 2000 producing 19 tropical storms or hurricanes. Eighteen developed within the National Hurricane Center area of warning responsibility, which is east of 140ºW, and one storm formed between 140ºW and the...
. Kika developed out of a 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...
which was first noted on August 5 while located 1,200 mi (1,930 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The wave gradually developed and was declared Tropical Depression One-C the next night. The depression was upgraded further to Tropical Storm Kika that same night. Kika moved towards the west-northwest but was impacted by light to moderate 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...
. This shear led to the storm relocating its center on August 8. Upon relocating, Kika was downgraded to a tropical depression. This was only temporary as Kika was upgraded back to tropical storm status that night. However, a few days later, Kika was downgraded to a tropical depression again. The depression then degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
on August 12 and the final advisory from 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...
was issued. The remnant low continued moving towards the west-northwest before crossing the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
and moving into the western Pacific basin
Pacific typhoon
A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that develops in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean between 180° and 100°E. This region is referred to as the northwest Pacific basin. For organizational purposes, the northern Pacific Ocean is divided into three regions: the eastern , central , and...
on August 14. Shortly after entering the western Pacific, Kika regenerated into a tropical depression. Kika did not develop further and dissipated on August 16.
Meteorological history
On the morning of August 5, 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...
began monitoring an area of low pressure
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
embedded in a surface 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...
1,200 mi (1,930 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii for signs of development. Despite the system being disorganized, it was in an area favorable for development and slow development was anticipated. The system became better organized later in the day as the system was classified as a tropical disturbance, but it was still embedded within the trough. The disturbance gradually developed throughout the day and by the nighttime hours, a tropical cyclone formation alert
Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert
A Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert is a bulletin released by the U.S. Navy-operated Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Honolulu, Hawaii or the Naval Maritime Forecast Center in Norfolk, Virginia, warning of the possibility of a tropical cyclone forming from a tropical disturbance that has been...
was issued as the formation of a tropical cyclone out of the system was anticipated over the following 24 hours. The disturbance was declared Tropical Depression One-C later that night while located 850 mi (1,370 km) southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The depression was being steered toward the west at 14 mph (22 km/h) by easterly trade winds caused by large subtropical 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...
located northeast 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...
.
The depression was quickly upgraded to Tropical Storm Kika late that night as the Dvorak technique
Dvorak technique
The Dvorak technique is a widely used system to subjectively estimate tropical cyclone intensity based solely on visible and infrared satellite images. Several agencies issue Dvorak intensity numbers for cyclones of sufficient intensity...
—a system used to estimate the intensity of a tropical cyclone—rendered a T2.5, which corresponds to an intensity of 40 mph (65 km/h). The direction of the storm shifted slightly upon being upgraded as well towards the west-northwest. By the morning of August 7, 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...
of about 12 mph (19 km/h) was impacting the small storm, restricting outflow to the eastern side of the storm. Despite being in an area favorable for development, Kika was not intensifying. However, the five-day forecast showed modest intensification to a strong tropical storm with winds peaking at 60 mph (95 km/h). The overall structure of Kika remained unchanged for the rest of the day as it continued towards the west-northwest. By the morning of August 8, Kika became slightly disorganized as the easterly flow which had been steering the storm and restricting the outflow to the east began to have a greater impact on the system. Intensity estimates dropped below 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...
intensity. However, since the estimates dropped not long before the advisory came out, Kika was not downgraded. With the first visible satellite images of the day taken of Kika, an exposed low was discovered. The storm had also relocated to the southwest and was downgraded to a tropical depression based on the lack of convection
Atmospheric convection
Atmospheric convection is the result of a parcel-environment instability, or temperature difference, layer in the atmosphere. Different lapse rates within dry and moist air lead to instability. Mixing of air during the day which expands the height of the planetary boundary layer leads to...
.
However, deep convection quickly redeveloped in the afternoon and forecasts showed Kika re-strengthening into a tropical storm that night. That evening, as forecast, Kika re-intensified and was upgraded to a tropical storm again. Despite deep convection remaining near the center of the storm, the overall structure of Kika became less organized just before noon on August 9. Despite wind shear significantly diminishing, the storm was moving over cooling water, which lessened intensification. Thunderstorm activity gradually became better organized throughout the rest of the day but intensity estimates were showing that Kika had weakened to a tropical depression once more. Against the estimates, due to the increase in organization, Kika remained a tropical storm through the night. However, the structure of Kika once more became disorganized and by the morning of August 10, the storm was barely a tropical storm, with an intensity, in the forecasters words, a "generous 35 kt" (40 mph 65 km/h). This deterioration trend continued through the afternoon and led to Kika being downgraded to a tropical depression. Only isolated bursts of thunderstorms remained around the center and satellites found winds of only 25 mph (40 km/h).
On the morning of August 11, a sudden redevelopment in convection led forecast models to re-intensify Kika once more. One model, called SHIPS, showed Kika reaching typhoon status—since Kika was forecast to cross the International Date Line
International Date Line
The International Date Line is a generally north-south imaginary line on the surface of the Earth, passing through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, that designates the place where each calendar day begins...
in 48–72 hours. The redevelopment was short lived, as by the afternoon of that same day, the storm rapidly deteriorated, leaving the low-level circulation partially exposed. Kika degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area
Low pressure area
A low-pressure area, or "low", is a region where the atmospheric pressure at sea level is below that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure systems form under areas of wind divergence which occur in upper levels of the troposphere. The formation process of a low-pressure area is known as...
that night and the final advisory from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center was issued while the storm was located 400 mi (645 km) south-southwest of Johnston Island. The remnant low was last noted on August 14 as it crossed the International Date Line, out of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility. Shortly after crossing the dateline, the remnant low entered the western Pacific basin and regenerated into a tropical depression. The depression continued to move towards the west-southwest before dissipating on August 16 over open waters.
Impact
Since Kika remained far away from any land masses, no tropical storm watches or warnings were issued and there were no ship reports of tropical storm force winds in the vicinity of Kika.See also
- 2008 Pacific hurricane season2008 Pacific hurricane seasonThe 2008 Pacific hurricane season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It officially started May 15, 2008 in the eastern Pacific, started on June 1, 2008 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 2008....
- Hurricane IokeHurricane IokeHurricane Ioke was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Central Pacific...
- List of Hawaii hurricanes
- Timeline of the 2008 Pacific hurricane seasonTimeline of the 2008 Pacific hurricane seasonBelow is the Timeline of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season, documenting all the storm formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, as well as dissipation. The 2008 Pacific hurricane season officially began on May 15, 2008, and will last until November 30. For...