2004 Pacific hurricane season

2004 Pacific hurricane season
Season summary map
First storm formed May 22, 2004
Last storm dissipated October 13, 2004
Strongest storm Javier – 930 mbar (hPa) (27.47 inHg), 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Total depressions 17
Total storms 12
Hurricanes 6
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) 3
Total fatalities 0
Total damage Unknown
Pacific hurricane seasons
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

The 2004 Pacific hurricane season officially started on May 15, 2004 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 2004 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 2004. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

This season was the first since 1990 to result in no deaths.

Contents

Storms

See also: Timeline of the 2004 Pacific hurricane season

Tropical Storm Agatha

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration May 22 – May 24
Intensity 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min),  997 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave, combined with a stationary trough of low pressure, developed into a tropical depression on May 22 while located 575 mi (925.4 km) south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. The depression moved to the northwest into an area of light vertical shear, and intensified into Tropical Storm Agatha shortly after forming. Agatha reached a peak of 60 mph (95 km/h) on May 23, though the development of an eye feature suggests it could have been stronger. Cool waters and dry air was entrained into the system, causing Agatha to weaken and degenerate into a remnant low on May 24. The remnant low drifted erratically for two days until dissipating on May 26. Agatha never affected land.

Tropical Depression Two-E

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration July 2 – July 3
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  1007 mbar (hPa)

On June 17, a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa, and entered the eastern Pacific Ocean on June 25. A circulation developed, and the system organized into Tropical Depression Two-E on July 2 while located 750 mi (1,207 km) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.[1] Due to cooler waters, the depression failed to develop further,[2] and the system degenerated into a remnant area of low pressure on July 4. The low dissipated a day later without effecting land.[1]

Tropical Depression One-C

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration July 5 – July 6
Intensity 30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min),  1007 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression One-C formed in the Central North Pacific southwest of Hawaii on July 5, and did no damage, it stayed over waters for its lifetime, and One-c dissipated the next day.

Tropical Storm Blas

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration July 11 – July 15
Intensity 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min),  991 mbar (hPa)

On July 11, a tropical wave organized into Tropical Depression Three to the southwest of Mexico, and strengthened into Tropical Storm Blas later that day. It moved to the northwest around a mid-level anticyclone, and intensified to reach a peak of 65 mph (100 km/h) on July 12. Cooler water temperatures weakened the storm to a remnant low on July 14, though it remained large and well-defined. The remnant low continued to the west-northwest until dissipating on July 19 to the west of the Baja California Peninsula. Blas never affected land.[3]

Hurricane Celia

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration July 19 – July 25
Intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min),  981 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave that moved off the coast of Africa entered the eastern Pacific Ocean. It entered an area of favorable upper level winds and water temperatures, and formed into Tropical Depression Four-E on July 19. The depression quickly strengthened to tropical storm status, and slowly intensified to attain hurricane strength on July 22. Celia reached a peak of 85 mph (140 km/h) before moving into an area of cool waters and dry air, thus weakening it. The storm weakened into a tropical depression on July 24, and dissipated two days later.[4]

Hurricane Darby

Main article: Hurricane Darby (2004)
Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration July 26 – August 1
Intensity 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min),  957 mbar (hPa)

Tropical Depression Five-E formed south of Mexico on July 26. Later that day, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Darby, and was upgraded to a hurricane on July 28. It moved due west at this point, aiming directly for the big island of Hawaii. It reached Category 3 strength on July 29, the first major hurricane in the northeastern Pacific basin since 2002. However, long before it reached Hawaii, it lost strength and dissipated on the evening of July 31. [1]

The remnants of the storm caused heavy rainfall over Hawaii, though caused no damage or deaths. [2] As a hurricane, Darby also produced strong waves of four to eight ft on eastern Hawaii. [3]

Tropical Depression Six-E

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration August 1 – August 2
Intensity 30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min),  1008 mbar (hPa)

An area of disturbed weather organized into a tropical depression on August 1 while located 1,265 mi southwest of the Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. It moved westward without organizing, and quickly dissipated.[5] Operationally, the depression developed early on July 29,[6] though further analysis indicated a circulation did not exist.[7] Also operationally, forecasters issued tropical cyclone advisories until August 3.[8]

Tropical Storm Estelle

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration August 19 – August 24
Intensity 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min),  989 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave organized into Tropical Depression Six-E on August 19 while located 1,440 mi east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The next day it strengthened into a tropical storm, and Estelle gradually strengthened to reach a peak of 70 mph on August 21. Strong shear weakened the storm, and it weakened to a tropical depression on August 23. It turned to the west-southwest, degenerated into a remnant low on August 24, and dissipated on August 25. Estelle never effected land. [4]

Hurricane Frank

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 23 – August 26
Intensity 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min),  979 mbar (hPa)

The remnants of Atlantic Ocean Tropical Storm Earl entered the eastern Pacific Ocean on August 18. Deep convection steadily organized, and the system developed into a tropical depression on August 23 while 415 mi south of the Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. The depression rapidly organized, and strengthened into a hurricane just 12 hours after forming, an unusual occurrence. Frank continued to strengthen as it moved to the northwest, and reached a peak intensity of 85 mph on August 24. Shortly after peaking, the hurricane passed over cooler water temperatures, and Frank quickly weakened, degenerating into a remnant low by August 26. The low drifted to the southwest, and dissipated on August 27 while 750 mi west of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. The storm never affected land. [5]

Tropical Depression Nine-E

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration August 23 – August 26
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  1005 mbar (hPa)

On August 8 a tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa. It entered the eastern Pacific Ocean on August 15, and after slowly organizing the wave developed into a tropical depression on August 23 while located 920 mi west-southwest of the Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur.[6] Despite initial predictions of the depression intensifying to a 45 mph tropical storm,[7] cool water temperatures and south-southwesterly wind shear prevented strengthening, and the depression degenerated into a remnant area of low pressure on August 26. The low dissipated on August 28.[8]

Tropical Storm Georgette

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration August 26 – August 30
Intensity 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min),  995 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave that entered the eastern Pacific on August 24 developed into a tropical depression on August 26 while located 600 mi south-southeast of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. Deep convection quickly organized, and the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Georgette shortly after forming. Georgette reached a peak of 65 mph on August 27, but weakened due to upper level shear. The storm briefly restrengthened on August 28, but again weakened until degenerating into a remnant low on August 30. The low continued to the west-northwest until dissipating on September 3 to the east of Hawaii. Georgette never affected land. [9]

Hurricane Howard

Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 30 – September 5
Intensity 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-min),  943 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Howard (2004)

Tropical Depression Eleven-E formed on August 30 from a tropical wave about 400 mi southwest of the Mexican port of Acapulco, Guerrero. It strengthened as it moved to the northwest, becoming a tropical storm on August 31. On September 1, Howard intensified into a hurricane, and with favorable conditions the hurricane rapidly intensified to attain peak winds of 140 mph, a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Cool waters caused the hurricane to weaken to a tropical storm on September 4, and Howard degenerated into a remnant low on September 5. A ridge of high pressure turned the low to the southwest, a motion it would keep until dissipating on September 10. [10]

As a Category 4 hurricane, Howard produced 6 to 12 ft waves on the California coastline. Because it was Labor Day weekend, 575,000 people went to Orange County beaches, resulting in over 1,000 lifeguard rescues. The hurricane did not cause any casualties or damages.

Hurricane Isis

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 8 – September 16
Intensity 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min),  987 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave, possibly the same one that spanwed Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Frances, developed into Tropical Depression Twelve-E on September 8 while located 530 mi south of the Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. It moved westward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Isis later on September 8, though vertical shear weakened the storm to a tropical depression on September 10. Wind shear decreased, and Isis re-attained tropical storm status on September 12. It remained a minimal tropical storm until September 15, when Isis rapidly intensified to hurricane strength. Shortly after reaching hurricane status, Isis moved over cooler water temperatures, causing it to quickly weaken to a remnant low on September 16. The remnant low drifted to the west until dissipating on September 21. Isis never affected land. [11]

Hurricane Javier

Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 10 – September 19
Intensity 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min),  930 mbar (hPa)
Main article: Hurricane Javier (2004)

Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed out of an area of low pressure south-southeast of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on September 10. It slowly moved northwest, being designated Tropical Storm Javier on the morning of September 11. It was upgraded to a hurricane on the afternoon of September 12, and peaked at Category 4 strength on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale after rapidly strengthening on September 13. Warnings began to be issued on September 15 for Baja California. While Javier peaked at Category 4, with windspeeds of 150 mph (240 km/h), it weakened dramatically before striking land south of San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, as only a tropical depression. Its remnants continued over Baja and inland.

Javier produced moderate damage across northwestern Mexico. In the United States, the storm's rainfall brought relief to a severe drought.

Tropical Storm Kay

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration October 4 – October 6
Intensity 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min),  1004 mbar (hPa)

A disturbance in the intertropical convergence zone developed into Tropical Depression Fourteen-E on October 4 about 590 mi (950 km) to the southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, based on satellite imagery indicating a circulation.[9] It moved generally westward due to a ridge to its north, and only slow intensification was predicted due to the presence of wind shear.[10] Its appearance was asymmetric due to the shear,[11] but the depression was able to intensify into Tropical Storm Kay on October 15.[9] Due to the shear, its center of circulation was at the northern edge of the convection,[12] and Kay only reached winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) before starting to weaken.[9] The center of circulation became displaced from the area of deep convection, and Kay was reduced to a small low-level swirl of clouds with intermittent thunderstorms.[13] Late on October 5, Kay weakened to tropical depression status, and after turning to the southwest it dissipated on October 6. There were no reports of casualties or damage.[9]

Tropical Storm Lester

Main article: Tropical Storm Lester (2004)
Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration October 11 – October 13
Intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min),  1000 mbar (hPa)

An area of disturbed weather organized into Tropical Depression Fifteen-E on October 11 while located 90 mi off the coast of Mexico. With a weak anticyclone near the system, the depression slowly strengthened, and intensified into a tropical storm on October 12. Lester neared the coast of Mexico, and weakened due to land interaction and interaction with a system to its southwest. The storm weakened to a tropical depression on October 13, and dissipated shortly thereafter. [12]

The Mexican government issued a Tropical Storm Warning along the Guerrero coast from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo. The storm produced three to five in of rainfall across Mexico [13], causing moderate damage in the Acapulco area. The rainfall caused at least one mudslide and downed 14 trees. [14]

Tropical Depression Sixteen-E

Main article: Tropical Depression Sixteen-E (2004)
Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration October 25 – October 26
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  1004 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on October 8, and moved westward across the unfavorable Atlantic Ocean. The wave entered the eastern Pacific Ocean on October 18, and developed an area of low pressure the next day while south of Guatemala. It continued slowly westward, and moved to into an area 520 mi south of Baja California Peninsula. There, it combined with an area of disturbed weather due to two previous tropical waves. The system organized as deep convection concentrated into curved bands, and a tropical depression formed on October 25 while 315 mi south-southeast of the Baja California Peninsula. The depression moved northward around the western periphery of a high pressure system. Due to anticipated strengthening, the Government of Mexico issued a tropical storm warning for portions of the country's western coast. However, vertical shear prevented further strengthening. The depression continued northward, and made landfall in Sinaloa, midway between Guasave and Topolobampo, on October 26. It quickly dissipated.[14]

The depression dropped heavy rainfall in western Mexico, including a peak 24 hour total of 7.1 in in Sinaloa.[15] The media reported a possible tornado in Culiacán when the storm was making landfall. The depression's mid-level circulation produced strong thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall across the U.S. states of New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Miles B. Lawrence (2004-07-17). "Tropical Depression Two-E Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004two-e.shtml. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  2. ^ Miles B. Lawrence (2004-07-03). "Tropical Depression Two-E Discussion Number Three". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep022004.discus.003.shtml. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  3. ^ Richard J. Pasch (2004-09-08). "Tropical Storm Blas Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004blas.shtml. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  4. ^ Stacy R. Stewart (2004-12-04). "Hurricane Celia Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004celia.shtml. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
  5. ^ National Hurricane Center (2004). "Summary of the 2004 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season". http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/tws/MIATWSEP_nov.shtml?. Retrieved 2006-07-15. 
  6. ^ Stacy Stewart (2004). "Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion One". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep062004.discus.001.shtml?. Retrieved 2006-07-15. 
  7. ^ James L. Franklin (2004). "Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion Four". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep062004.discus.004.shtml?. Retrieved 2006-07-15. 
  8. ^ Knabb/Avila (2004). "Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion Twelve". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep062004.discus.012.shtml?. Retrieved 2006-07-15. 
  9. ^ a b c d Lt David P. Roberts, Miles B. Lawrence (2004). "Tropical Storm Kay Tropical Cyclone Report". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004kay.shtml?. Retrieved 2009-01-03. 
  10. ^ Pasch (2004). "Tropical Depression 14-E Discussion Number 1". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep142004.discus.001.shtml?. Retrieved 2009-01-03. 
  11. ^ Blake & Lawrence (2004). "Tropical Depression 14-E Discussion Number 2". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep142004.discus.002.shtml?. Retrieved 2009-01-03. 
  12. ^ Pasch (2004). "Tropical Storm Kay Discussion Number 4". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep142004.discus.004.shtml?. Retrieved 2009-01-03. 
  13. ^ Pasch. "Tropical Storm Kay Discussion Number 5". National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep142004.discus.005.shtml?. Retrieved 2009-01-03. 
  14. ^ a b NHC Tropical Cyclone Report
  15. ^ CNA.SMN. Depresión Tropical N° 16 del Océano Pacífico. Temporada 2004

External links

Tropical cyclones of the 2004 Pacific hurricane season
Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale
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