List of Arizona hurricanes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The remnants of Hurricane Nora over the Southwestern United States
The remnants of Hurricane Nora over the Southwestern United States

An Arizona hurricane is a tropical cyclone originating in the eastern Pacific Ocean that affects the U.S. state of Arizona. Usually, the storm makes landfall in the Mexican states of Baja California or Sonora and the remaining moisture affects the state. However, a few storms have crossed into Arizona still with tropical storm strength.

Tropical storms in Arizona are infrequent, since the predominant storm track carries most storms that form in the Eastern Pacific either parallel or away from the Pacific coast of northwestern Mexico. As a result, most storms that could affect Arizona are carried away from the United States, with only 6% of all Pacific hurricanes entering US territory.[1] However, Arizona still can expect experiencing the effects of tropical cyclones once every five years, in average.[1] Many, but not all, of these systems also impacted California.

Contents

[edit] Storms

Tropical storms are one of Arizona's main sources of rainfall, and they infuse the monsoon over the southwestern United States.[2] However, all of the storms that have impacted Arizona have formed in the latter parts of the Pacific hurricane season, and only storm remnants have affected the state before August.[1]

Storm Peak intensity Season Intensity Date[3]
Unnamed[4] Unknown 1921 Remnant low August 20, 1921
Unnamed[5] Unknown 1921 Tropical depression September 30, 1921
Unnamed[3] Unknown 1926 Remnant low September 20, 1926
Unnamed[3] Unknown 1927 Remnant low September 7, 1927
Unnamed[6] Unknown 1935 Tropical storm August 22, 1935
Unnamed[7] Tropical Storm[8] 1951 Tropical storm August 3, 1951
Unnamed[7] Category 1[8] 1958 Tropical storm October 6, 1958
Claudia[3] Tropical Storm 1962 Tropical storm September 25, 1962
Emily[7] Category 1[8] 1965 Remnant low September 6, 1965
Katrina[3] Category 1[8] 1967 Tropical storm August 29, 1967
Hyacinth[7] Tropical Storm[8] 1968 Tropical depression August 20, 1968
Norma[3] Tropical Storm 1970 Tropical storm September 4, 1970
Joanne[3] Category 2 1972 Tropical storm October 4, 1972
Kathleen[3] Category 1 1976 Tropical storm September 10, 1976
Liza[9] Category 4 1976 Remnant low October 2, 1976
Doreen[3] Category 1 1977 Tropical storm August 13, 1977
Heather[3] Category 1 1977 Tropical depression October 4, 1977
Octave[3] Tropical Storm 1983 Tropical storm September 28, 1983
Raymond[7] Category 3[8] 1989 Tropical depression October 5, 1989
Boris[10] Category 1 1990 Remnant low[10] June 11, 1990
Lester[7] Category 1[11] 1992 Tropical storm August 22, 1992
Ismael[7] Category 1[8] 1995 Remnant low September 15, 1995
Nora[3] Category 4 1997 Tropical storm September 25, 1997
Isis[12] Category 1[8] 1998 Remnant low September 5, 1998
Marty[7] Category 2[8] 2003 Remnant low September 22, 2003
Javier[13] Category 4[8] 2004 Remnant low September 20, 2004
John Category 4 2006 Remnant low September 1, 2006

[edit] Storm systems

Wettest tropical cyclones, and their remnants, in Arizona
Highest known recorded totals
Precipitation Storm Measurement
station
Rank (mm) (in)
1 305.1 mm 12.01 in Nora 1997 Harquahala Mountain[9]
2 304.8 mm 12.00 in Octave 1983 Mount Graham[9]
3 210.8 mm 8.30 in Heather 1977 Nogales[9]
4 178.1 mm 7.01 in Doreen 1977 Yuma Valley[9]
5 177.8 mm 7.00 in Javier 2004 Walnut Creek[9]
6 133.9 mm 5.27 in Lester 1992 Irving[9]
7 96.0 mm 3.78 in Raymond 1989 Santa Rita Experiment Range[9]
8 83.3 mm 3.28 in Boris 1990 Santa Rita Experiment Range[9]
9 72.9 mm 2.87 in Kathleen 1976 Davis Dam #2[9]
10 71.9 mm 2.83 in Marty 2003 Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument[9]

Several of these tropical cyclones have caused deaths or heavy property damage, usually due to flooding caused by rain.

[edit] Before 1960

Records of tropical cyclones in the East Pacific before 1950 are sparse, but there were still several storms that produced rainfall over Arizona in this period.

The first known tropical disturbance to affect the state occurred in August 1921, when a remnant low of a tropical cyclone moved into the western portions of the state.[4] The next month, on September 30, 1921, a tropical depression that had tracked parallel to the Mexican coastline moved into Arizona, causing heavy rainfall.[5] This tropical storm caused more than three inches of rainfall along the Colorado River valley, with 3.65 in (93 mm) of rain reported in Yuma. Throughout the state, Flagstaff saw 1.50 in (38 mm) of rainfall, while 1.24 in (31 mm) of precipitation fell in Prescott, 0.68 in (17 mm) in Tucson, and 0.56 in (14 mm) in Phoenix.[3]

Five years later, the remnants of another September storm hit the state, but this time, the precipitation was heaviest on the southeastern portion of the state. The 1926 storm caused over 5 in (127 mm) of rain in the vicinity of Douglas.[3] In September 1927, the remnants of another tropical system caused 1–2 in (25–50 mm) of rainfall throughout the state.[3]

In August of 1935, the remnants of an unnamed tropical storm that landed on Southern California caused torrential rain and flooding across Arizona, especially along the Santa Cruz River and Rillito Creek on Southern Arizona. The rainfall due to the storm still holds the monthly rainfall record at the National Weather Service office in Tucson.[6]

1939 saw two tropical systems enter the state during the same month. On September 4, 1931, the remnants of a former hurricane entered southwest Arizona, near Yuma. More than 5.00 in (127 mm) of precipitation fell in northwest Arizona, with many parts of the state collecting more than an inch of rain.[3] This same system produced more than twice the average annual rainfall in Imperial Valley, California.[4] On the 11th, the remnants of separate system passed, again, over southwest Arizona.[4]

No tropical cyclones are known to have affected Arizona in the 1940's. However, in the 1950's, the remnants of two more storms passed over the state. In August 24, 1951, the moisture from a hurricane that made landfall in Baja California moved over the state, producing more than 5.00 (127 mm) of precipitation over southwestern Arizona. Flagstaff saw 4.00 in (102 mm) of rain, with similar totals measured at Prescott (3.95 in, 100 mm) and Phoenix (3.24 in, 82 mm). The storm also washed out several roadways near Gila Bend, isolating the city from motorists. Overall, the storm caused $750,000 (1951 USD) in property damage.[3] Three years later, the remnants of another hurricane moved over Arizona from the south during the month of July. Damage from this storm is unknown.[4]

[edit] 1970s

In September of 1970, the remnants of Tropical Storm Norma became Arizona's deadliest storm when they contributed to the disaster known as the "Labor Day storm of 1970". As Norma dissipated, moisture from the cyclone was entrapped in a large extratropical low. The resulting rainfall caused flooding that killed 23 people and significant damage.[3] Two years later, the remnants of Hurricane Joanne caused flooding that caused $10 million (1972 USD) in property damage and eight deaths.[2]

On September 11, 1976, Hurricane Kathleen killed a man when a gust of wind blew a palm tree down onto his mobile home. Severe flooding and hailstorms also resulted.[3]While most of the rainfall from the storm fell in California,[14] 2.87 in (73 mm) fell at the Davis Dam on the Colorado River.[9] The next month, Hurricane Liza brought light rain to the state, with the state maxima being 1.48 in (38 mm) on Willow Beach.[9]

In August of the following year, Hurricane Doreen caused severe flooding in Yuma County and near Bullhead City. A rain gauge near Yuma saw more than 7 in (180 mm) of precipitation during the storm.[15] In October 1977, the remnants of Hurricane Heather caused 8.30 in (211 mm) of rain in Nogales.[16]

[edit] 1980s

Rainfall due to Tropical Storm Octave throughout its track
Rainfall due to Tropical Storm Octave throughout its track

The 1980s saw destructive tropical cyclone pass through the state, as was the case with the previous decade. A weather system, including moisture from Tropical Storm Octave, caused torrential rains over a ten-day period. The largest precipitation total occurred in Mount Graham, which saw 12.00 in (305 mm) of rain overall.[17] Fourteen people drowned, 975 were injured, and roughly 10,000 people were left homeless after the flooding ended. The amount of damage from the disaster was put at 370 million (year unknown) USD. Other cities in the state also saw heavy rain, with 9.83 in (250 mm) of precipitation measured at Nogales, 6.67 in (169 mm) at Safford, 6.40 in (163 mm) at Tucson, 3.93 in (100 mm) at Flagstaff, 2.65 in (67 mm) at Phoenix, and 2.62 in (66 mm) at Prescott.[3]

In 1989, flash flooding produced by Hurricane Raymond caused 1.5 million (1989 USD) in damage in the state.[18] Raymond passed over the state as a tropical depression, and produced heavy rainfall on the southeastern portion of the state, with 4.72 in (120 mm) of rain falling in Nogales.[19]

[edit] 1990s

Rainfall due to Hurricane Nora in the Southwestern United States
Rainfall due to Hurricane Nora in the Southwestern United States

During the 1990s, several tropical systems have affected Arizona even after losing all tropical characteristics. The moisture from Boris in 1990 produced 3.28 in (83 mm) of rainfall on the Santa Rita Mountains.[10] 1995's Ismael produced most of its damage south of the state, but light rainfall fell over Cochise County,[20] with the highest reported rainfall being 1.44 in (37 mm).[9] In 1998, the remnants of Hurricane Isis dropped more than two inches (50 mm) of rainfall across southern Arizona, resulting in some flash flood warnings and flooding on roadways.[12][21] Isis also caused up to 3 in (75 mm) across the Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains that surround Tucson. However, there was no flooding reported in the Tucson area, and Tucson International Airport reported only 1.1 in (28 mm) as a result of the storm.[22]

However, two hurricanes survived long enough to reach Arizona while still considered tropical systems. The first, Hurricane Lester, reached the state as a tropical storm, and caused over 5 in (125 mm) near Phoenix and Tucson. Much of the rest of the state reported over 1 inch (25 mm) as a result of Lester.[23] The second storm, Hurricane Nora, struck the state in September of 1997, and was responsible for the 24-hour rainfall record in the state. Nora produced 11.97 in (304 mm) of rainfall over the Harquahala Mountains in Western Arizona, causing some flash flooding in the area.[24] Near Phoenix, rainfall from the storm caused the Narrows Dam, a small earthen dam, to fail;[24] localized rainfall amounts of up to 3 in (75 mm) occurred throughout the state.[25] Nora also caused 12,000 people to lose electric power in Yuma.[26]

[edit] 2000s

As of May 2008, the present decade has seen only tropical storm remnants pass over Arizona territory.

The first system, Hurricane Marty brought locally heavy rains to extreme southwestern Arizona in September 2003; in spite of this, there were no reports of flooding from the storm. The highest rain total was 2.83 in (72 mm) at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.[27] The second storm, Javier, produced heavy rain throughout the state, which helped alleviate a prolonged drought in the Southwestern United States.[28][29] The heaviest rainfall occurred at Walnut Creek, which saw a total of 7.00 in (178 mm) of precipitation during the storm.[13] The Tucson airport saw rainfall of 0.37 in (93 mm), while the University of Arizona reported 0.89 in (26 mm) of rain. The rain and lightning from Javier flooded several roads in the city, and forced the university to delay one of its football games.[30]

[edit] See also

Tropical cyclones Portal
v • d • e
List of United States hurricanes
United States

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Corbosiero, Kristen L. (2003). The Contribution of Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones to the Warm Season Rainfall Climatology of the Southwestern United States. University of Albany. Retrieved on 2006-03-20. Accessed through the Wayback Machine.
  2. ^ a b Arizona Water Science Center (September 2005). Hydrologic Conditions in Arizona During 1999–2004: A Historical Perspective. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved on 2006-03-20.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t National Weather Service, Phoenix Regional Office. Top Arizona Hurricane/Tropical Storm Events. Retrieved on 2006-03-19.
  4. ^ a b c d e Williams, Jack (May 17, 2005). Background: California's tropical storms. USA Today. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  5. ^ a b Hurd, Willis E. (February 1929). "Tropical Cyclones of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review 57 (2). 
  6. ^ a b U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Santa Cruz River, Paseo de las Iglesias (Pima County, Arizona) Final Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (PDF). USACE. Retrieved on 2006-03-20.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Coastal Services Center. Historical Hurricane Tracks. NOAA. Retrieved on 2006-03-20.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Research Division (2007). East Pacific hurricane best track ("HURDAT"), 1949–2007. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Roth, David (2008). Tropical Cyclone Rainfall for the West. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  10. ^ a b c Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Boris - June 7-11, 1990. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  11. ^ National Hurricane Center (1992). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Lester, 20–24 August 1992. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved on 2006-03-20.
  12. ^ a b Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Isis - September 1-5, 1998. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  13. ^ a b Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Javier - September 18-21, 2004. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  14. ^ Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Kathleen - September 7-12, 1976. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  15. ^ Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Doreen - August 15-18, 1977. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  16. ^ Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Heather - October 5-8, 1977. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  17. ^ Roth, David (2008). Remains of Octave - September 29-October 4, 1983. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  18. ^ National Hurricane Center (1989). Preliminary Report: Hurricane Raymond, 25 September–5 October 1989. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  19. ^ Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Raymond - October 4-7, 1989. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  20. ^ Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Ismael - September 12-17, 1995. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  21. ^ Associated Press. "Isis fizzles but makes for a wet Arizona weekend", 1998-09-05. Retrieved on 2007-02-08. 
  22. ^ Glueck (1998). September 1998 climate report for Tucson. Tucson, Arizona National Weather Service. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.
  23. ^ Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Lester - August 19-27, 1992. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  24. ^ a b Flood Control District of Maricopa County (1997). TS Nora Storm Report. Retrieved on 2006-02-26.
  25. ^ Farfán, Luis M. and Joseph Zehnder (August 2001). "An Analysis of the Landfall of Hurricane Nora" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review 129. 
  26. ^ Carter, Rebecca (2002). Tropical Storm Impacts on Arizona and New Mexico. Climate Assessment for the Southwest Project, Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, University of Arizona. Retrieved on 2006-03-03.
  27. ^ Roth, David (2008). Hurricane Marty - September 21-26, 2003. Tropical Cyclone Rainfall Climatology. Hydrometeorological Prediction Center. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  28. ^ National Agricultural Statistics Service (September 21, 2004). Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  29. ^ Rippey, Brad (September 21, 2004). U.S. Drought Monitor. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
  30. ^ Swedlund, Eric. "Tucson area gets welcome soaking", The Arizona Daily Star, September 19, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-08-15. 
Languages