| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) | |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Eugene on July 20, 1993 | |
| Formed | July 15, 1993 |
| Dissipated | July 25, 1993 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 125 mph (205 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg) |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Damage | Minimal |
| Areas affected | Hawaii |
| Part of the 1993 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Eugene is the most recent tropical cyclone to make landfall in Hawaii. The fifth named storm and second major hurricane of the 1993 Pacific hurricane season, Eugene developed off the Pacific coast of Mexico on July 15. Initially, the storm moved westward while strengthening, but made an abrupt turn toward the northwest on July 18. By then, Eugene had entered a phase of rapid intensification, and peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) on July 19. Its peak intensity was short-lived, as unfavorable atmospheric conditions caused it deteriorate in structure slowly over the next three days. By July 22, Eugene had weakened to a tropical storm and turned westward, and it further diminished to a tropical depression the next day. The depression ultimately moved over Hawaii on July 24, where it caused minimal damage and one death before dissipating the following day.
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Continuity suggests that a weak low-level circulation about 650 mi (1,050 km) south of the Baja California Peninsula originated from a tropical wave that tracked off the coast of Africa on June 30. Without further development, the tropical wave crossed the Atlantic Ocean, and eventually entered the Pacific Ocean. It was then noted as[1] After the tropical wave developed significant banding features, the National Hurricane Center began classifying the system as Tropical Depression Six-E late on July 15 while situated 805 mi (1295 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.[2] Even though the depression was expected to quickly intensify into a hurricane within three days, the agency noted a small possibility of a fujiwhara interaction, a type of interaction between two nearby tropical cyclones, causing them to appear to "orbit" each other between Dora and Six-E.[3] However, this did not occur.[1]
Banding features began to improve on July 16; subsequently, the National Hurricane Center upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Eugene. A ragged eye was visible on satellite imagery late on July 16,[4] before quickly disappearing. However, wind estimates quickly supported an intensity 75 mph (120 km/h), and Eugene was upgraded to a hurricane early on July 17.[5] The system intensified more rapidly then predicted,[6][7] and became a Category 2 hurricane late on July 17.[7] Early July 18, Eugene had intensified into a Category 3 hurricane, the second major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale) of the season.[8] Later that day, there was evidence of the possible eye feature completely disappeared. The National Hurricane Center noted a large amount of uncertainty of the future path of Eugene. For example, it was mentioned that Eugene could turn northward.[9] Six hours later, the eye feature re-developed, and meteorologists anticipated further intensification.[10] By the morning hours of July 19, the eye of Eugene was well-defined; however, since Eugene was nearing colder sea surface temperatures (SST's), weakening was expected.[11] Despite this, the hurricane further intensified and reached peak winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg).[1]
Almost immediately after attaining peak intensity on July 19, Eugene began to weaken. Since wind shear was increasing, and ocean temperatures were becoming colder, Eugene was expected to weaken quickly.[12] After being a low-end Category 3 hurricane for almost 48 hours, Eugene finally weakened back to a Category 2 hurricane late on July 20.[13] By the evening of July 21, Eugene was in an area of moderate wind shear, induced by an upper-level low near Hawaii. At this time, winds were estimated near 90 mph (150 km/h), which indicated Eugene weakened to a Category 1 hurricane.[14] Early on July 22, the cloud pattern deceased in organization and deep convection significantly diminished.[15] Six hours later, Eugene was downgraded to a tropical storm;[16] convection became limited to the northern quadrant of the system.[17]
Late on July 22, Eugene crossed the 140°W meridian, and the National Hurricane Center ceased monitoring the system as it had entered the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility.[18] The center quickly noted that a strong area of high pressure to the north of Eugene was forcing it rapidly westward and predicted landfall near Ka Lae on Hawaii would occur on July 24.[19] Eugene weakened further, and was downgraded to a tropical depression on early July 24.[20] At 1200 UTC on July 24, Eugene made landfall near Pahala, Hawaii with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h).[21][22] Convection briefly increased over the northern quadrant, but Eugene remained weak.[23] On July 25, Eugene passed near a buoy, which reported no abnormal weather. Based on this, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center discontinued advisories on Eugene, which was 200 mi (321.86 km) southwest of Lihue, Hawaii.[24]
Because Eugene was only a tropical depression as it approached Hawaii, no watches or warnings were issued.[1] While Eugene moved over the southern half of the island of Hawaii on July 24, it brought much-needed rain to much of the major Hawaiian Islands. The storm caused no significant damage, only scattered minor blackouts and breaking of tree limbs; roads were also dangerous to drive on. The only fatality in associated with Eugene was the death of a 45-year old fisherman, who was killed when his boat was destroyed in rough seas.[21]
