1983 Pacific hurricane season

1983 Pacific hurricane season
Season summary map
First storm formed May 21, 1983
Last storm dissipated December 7, 1983
Strongest storm Kiko and Raymond – 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-minute sustained)
Total depressions 26
Total storms 21
Hurricanes 12
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) 8
Total fatalities 23 to 128
Total damage $66 million (1983 USD)
Pacific hurricane seasons
1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985

The 1983 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 1983 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1983 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1983. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

This season, there were a record-setting 21 named storms this year. Of those storms, twelve became hurricanes. Eight hurricanes reached Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. No named storms formed in the central Pacific; however, there were two tropical depressions. A strong El Niño contributed to this level of activity. That same El Niño influenced a relatively quiet season in the Atlantic.

The most notable storms were Hurricane Tico, Tropical Storm Octave, and Hurricane Winnie. Hurricane Tico left thousands homeless in Mazatlán; Tropical Storm Octave killed several people in one of Arizona's worst disasters; and Hurricane Winnie was a rare December cyclone.

Contents

Storms

Hurricane Adolph

Category 2 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration May 21 – May 28
Intensity 110 mph (175 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

On May 21, Tropical Depression One-E formed 500 mi (800 km) southwest of Managua, Nicaragua. As the depression headed gradually west-northwestward over sea surface temperatures (SST's) of 86–88 °F (30–31 °C), it steadily intensified. Later that day, the depression intensified into a tropical storm, which was named Adolph. Further intensification occurred as Adolph headed west-northwestward. By May 24, Adolph had strengthened enough to be considered a hurricane. Shortly thereafter, the storm turned northwestward and intensified into a Category 2 hurricane. Around that time, Adolph attained its peak intensity with winds of 110 mph (175 km/h), but an unknown minimum barometric pressure. Following peak intensity, Adolph gradually weakened to a low-end Category 2 hurricane. By May 25, Adolph curved sharply north-northeastward, as a result of being steered by anticyclonic deep-layer mean. Although SST's remained near 82 °F (28 °C), wind shear increased, causing Adolph to significantly weaken. The storm weakened back to Category 1 intensity upon curving north-northeastward, and was downgraded to a tropical storm twelve hours later. Adolph brushed the coast and dissipated close to Mazatlán. No damage or deaths were reported. At the time, Adolph was the strongest May storm and the earliest hurricane. Both records have since been broken.

Hurricane Barbara

Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration June 9 – June 18
Intensity 135 mph (215 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

A tropical disturbance was first observed about 208 mi (334 km) south of the coast of Guatemala, and headed westward. The tropical disturbance intensified, and became the second tropical depression on the season on June 9. After being classified as Tropical Depression Two for twenty-four hours, it had intensified, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Barbara. With sea surface temperatures above 86°F (30°C), Barbara continued to intensify, although rapid deepening did not occur until it attained hurricane status on June 12. As rapid deepening commenced, Barbara skipped category 2 hurricane status, and went from a high-end category 1 hurricane to a low-end category 4 hurricane in only twelve hours. Hurricane Barbara peaked as a 135 mph (215 km/h) category 4 hurricane, as no further intensification occurred. Barbara slowly weakened after peak intensity, while it was heading slowly northward around the western edge of an area of high pressure over west-central Mexico. By late on June 16, Barbara had deteriorated enough to be downgraded to a tropical storm, and weaken continued. Moving over sea surface temperatures near 72°F (22°C), Barbara rapidly weakened, and was downgraded to a tropical depression early the following day. Further weakening persisted, and Barbara dissipated on June 18, situated several hundred miles southwest of Baja California. Hurricane Barbara did not affect land.[1]

Tropical Storm Cosme

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration July 2 – July 5
Intensity 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Cosme was a short-lived and weak storm that did not have any impacts on land.

Tropical Storm Dalilia

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration July 5 – July 12
Intensity 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Dalila was a strong tropical storm, but it never affected land.

Tropical Storm Erick

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration July 12 – July 16
Intensity 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Erick was a short-lived storm which did not impact land.

Tropical Storm Flossie

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration July 17 – July 21
Intensity 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Flossie was a weak storm and did not affect land.

Hurricane Gil

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration July 23 – August 5
Intensity 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Gil threatened the Hawaiian Islands as a tropical storm. It caused heavy rains and pounding surf but little damage and only "minor difficulties". It may have killed one person. A catamaran, ironically named Hurricane, went missing after leaving Long Beach. Gil may have sunk it. As the vessel had no radio equipment, it is impossible to be sure as no one knew where the vessel was.

Hurricane Henriette

Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration July 27 – August 6
Intensity 135 mph (215 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Henriette was a powerful category 4 hurricane. It moved a long distance, but did not affect land.

Tropical Depression Nine-E

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration August 3 – August 7
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

This depression formed on August 3 and dissipated August 7 over cool water.

Hurricane Ismael

Category 2 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 8 – August 14
Intensity 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Isamel was a category 2 storm that did not affect land. However, it's remnants brought rain to California.

Tropical Depression Eleven-E

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration August 15 – August 16
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

This depression dissipated off the southern Baja California coast.

Tropical Depression One-C

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration August 19 – August 20
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

This short-lived depression moved west before dissipating.

Tropical Storm Juliette

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration August 24 – September 1
Intensity 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Juliette was a storm that had no effects on land.

Tropical Depression Two-C

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration August 31 – September 1
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

This depression drifted across the International Dateline on September 1.

Hurricane Kiko

Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration August 31 – September 9
Intensity 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

A tropical disturbance headed westward into the Pacific, after crossing Central America on August 26 to August 27. Heading westward, the system had began to be classified as Tropical Depression Thirteen-E on August 31. Later on that day, the depression intensified, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Kiko. Kiko explosively intensified after becoming a tropical storm, likely because of low wind shear values and sea surface temperatures between 82 and 88°F (28-31°C). Explosively intensifying, Kiko immediately became a category three hurricane on September 1, skipping category one and two hurricane status. Rapid intensification continued briefly, and Kiko became a category 4 hurricane early on September 2. Becoming a category four hurricane, intensification slowed, and Kiko attained its peak intensity on September 3 with winds of 145 mph (230 km/h), and was the strongest storm of the season.[1]

A subtropical jet stream produced cooler sea surface temperatures and higher wind shear, although a few fluctuations in intensity occurred on September 4. After being a major hurricane since September 1, Kiko weakened and was downgraded to a category 2 hurricane. Further weakening occurred, and Kiko eventually deteriorated to a tropical storm. Kiko weakened to a tropical depression on September 8, and convection had ceased to exist on September 9, causing the storm to be declared dissipated several hundred miles west of Baja California. It had no effects on land.[1]

Hurricane Lorena

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 6 – September 14
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Lorena was a major hurricane that did not affect land.

Hurricane Manuel

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 12 – September 20
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

The remnants of hurricane Manuel brought rain to California on September 20 and 21.

Tropical Storm Narda

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration September 21 – October 1
Intensity 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Narda threatened Hawaii but veered south when far from the islands. There are no known casualties.

Tropical Storm Octave

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration September 27 – October 2
Intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown
See also: October 1983 Southwest United States floods

A tropical disturbance formed south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on September 23. Steered by a deep layer high over Mexico, the disturbance moved west for four days before becoming a tropical depression.[2] The system was situated over warm sea surface temperatures of 28–29°C, although wind shear prevented significant development. Late on September 28, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Octave, and early the next day reached its peak intensity of 50 mph (80 km/h). While strengthening, Octave turned to the north and northeast. On September 30, Octave began accelerating over an area of cooler waters and increasing vertical wind shear. Consequently, Octave weakened back to tropical depression status during the afternoon. On October 2, the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center issued their last advisory on the storm, as the surface circulation had dissipated.[2][3]

While a tropical cyclone, Octave never threatened land. However, the interaction between its remnants and an upper-level low off of California produced a week-long rainfall event in Arizona. Damage was extreme, and several cities were entire flooded. Thirteen people were killed and hundreds were injured. The flooding left 10,000 Arizonans homeless. Damage in the state totaled $500 million (1983 USD, $1.1 billion 2012 USD).[4]

Hurricane Priscilla

Category 3 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration September 30 – October 7
Intensity 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Priscilla's remnants moved northward across California, bringing light rain October 7.

Hurricane Raymond

Main article: Hurricane Raymond (1983)
Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration October 8 – October 20
Intensity 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Raymond threatened the Hawaiian Islands enough for a hurricane watch to be issued. Instead, it turned north. It then veered south and passed near Molokai as a depression. Raymond brought beneficial rains. There was one casualty when a sailor was lost overboard off the craft "Hazana"; the boat was traveling from San Diego to Hawaii. Only minor damage was reported as a result of the hurricane. However, a fishing vessel did also issue a Mayday for help because of the storm.

Tropical Storm Sonia

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration October 9 – October 14
Intensity 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Tropical Storm Sonia was a weak storm that did not affect any land. Sonia formed as a depression near the CPHC's area of responsibility on October 9, and entered it soon after. The storm never exceeded winds of 45 mph (75 km/h), fairly weak storm strength. After entering the CPHC's area, Sonia reached a point over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) south-southeast of the Big Island before dissipating on October 14.

Hurricane Tico

Category 4 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration October 11 – October 19
Intensity 135 mph (215 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown
Main article: Hurricane Tico (1983)

Hurricane Tico was a powerful major hurricane, a Category 4, that came ashore close to Mazatlán on October 19 at Category 3 strength. Winds gusted to 135 mph (215 km/h), and rain was heavy. Tico's remnants kept moving northeast and passed into Texas and Oklahoma, where they caused torrential rains.

Flooding left 25,000 people homeless, and at least nine people were killed, with 105 missing. Several boats were also destroyed. The total cost of damage was $329 million (2009 USD).

Tropical Depression Twenty-Two-E

Tropical depression (SSHS)
Duration October 18 – October 18
Intensity 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Lasting only 19 hours, Twenty-Two-E was the shortest-lived storm of the season.

Tropical Storm Velma

Tropical storm (SSHS)
Duration November 1 – November 3
Intensity 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

A tropical disturbance developed within the ITCZ during October, and headed over sea surface temperatures of at least 84°F (29°C). Although situated in a location considered unfavorable for development, the system began to organize, and became Tropical Depression Twenty-Three-E on November 1. Tropical Depression Twenty-Three-E quickly intensified, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Velma six hours later. No further intensification occurred, and Velma peak as a minimal 40 mph (65 km/h) tropical storm. Velma began to weaken after 18 hours, and was downgraded to a tropical depression on November 2. By the following day, the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center issued the final advisory on Tropical Depression Velma, indication that dissipation had occurred. Velma did not affect land.[1]

Hurricane Winnie

Category 1 hurricane (SSHS)
Duration December 4 – December 7
Intensity 90 mph (150 km/h) (1-min),  Unknown

Hurricane Winnie was an out of season storm that formed December 4, the latest hurricane in this basin. Winnie was a hurricane only briefly as it remained stationary. Winnie dissipated before making landfall.

It is not known why this storm was named Winnie. While that name is given to this storm in the "best track" file, the official name list for this year has "Wallis" instead of "Winnie".

1983 storm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the eastern Pacific in 1983. All the names on the list were used this year. No names were retired, so it was used again in the 1989 season. This is the first time these names had been used since the modern naming system began. No central Pacific names were used; the first name used would have been Keli.

  • Adolph
  • Barbara
  • Cosme
  • Dalilia
  • Erick
  • Flossie
  • Gil
  • Henriette
  • Ismael
  • Juliette
  • Kiko
  • Lorena
  • Manuel
  • Narda
  • Octave
  • Priscilla
  • Raymond
  • Sonia
  • Tico
  • Velma
  • Winnie

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Gunther / Cross (1984). "Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1983". Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center. http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0493(1984)112%3C1419:ENPTCO%3E2.0.CO;2. Retrieved 2 December 2010. 
  2. ^ a b Gunther, E. B.; Cross, R. L. (July 1985). "1983 Hurricane season". Monthly Weather Review (Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center) 101 (7): 1419. Bibcode 1984MWRv..112.1419G. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1984)112<1419:ENPTCO>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1520-0493. http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0493%281984%29112%3C1419%3AENPTCO%3E2.0.CO%3B2. 
  3. ^ "Eastern Pacific hurricane best track analysis 1949-2010". National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. March 2011. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/tracks1949to2010_epa.html. Retrieved 2010-03-22. 
  4. ^ Tucson, Arizona National Weather Service (2008). "Tropical Storm Octave 1983". NOAA. http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/twc/tropical/Octave_1983.php. Retrieved 2010-12-14. 

External links

Tropical cyclones of the 1983 Pacific hurricane season
Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale
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