1992 Pacific hurricane season

Infobox hurricane season
Basin=EPac
Year=1992
Track=1992 Pacific hurricane season map.png First storm formed=January 26, 1992
Last storm dissipated=November 22, 1992
Strongest storm name=Tina
Strongest storm winds=130
Strongest storm pressure=932
Average wind speed=1
Total depressions=30
Total storms=27
Total hurricanes=16
Total intense=10
Fatalities=17
Da

Inflated=1
five seasons=1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994The 1992 Pacific hurricane season was the most active Pacific season on record. The most notable storm was Hurricane Iniki, which caused billions of dollars of damage to the Hawaiian Islands. Hurricanes Lester, Virgil, Winifred, and Orlene also made landfall and killed several people, but were significantly less destructive. Hurricane Darby and Tropical Storm Agatha brought rains and more destruction to Mexico, without making landfall. Hurricane Tina was the longest-lasting pacific hurricane at the time. Also of note are Hurricane Ekeka and Tropical Storm Hali, which formed in late January and March, respectively.

eason Summary

The season officially started on May 15, 1992 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1992 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1992. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The season wildly exceeded these bounds, however, as climatological effects including an El Niño caused Hurricane Ekeka to form on January 26.

This season, there were twenty-four named storms in the eastern Pacific. Of these, fourteen became hurricanes and eight became major hurricanes by reaching Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. In the central Pacific, three named storms formed, of which two were major hurricanes. Several storms moved in from the east. The eleven total tropical cyclones entering or forming in the central Pacific is a record level. Despite this activity, there were only five landfalls.

Additionally there were three named storms in the central Pacific (west of longitude 140° West). Two of these became hurricanes.

torms

Hurricane Ekeka

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Ekeka 1992 track.pngFormed=January 28
Dissipated=February 4
1-min winds=100The first storm of the season, Hurricane Ekeka formed from an extratropical low north of the equator formed January 28. It became a Category 3 before wind shear weakened the cyclone and eventually dissipated the low as it neared the Marshall Islands February 2.

Tropical Storm Hali

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Hali 1992 track.pngFormed=March 28
Dissipated=March 30
1-min winds=45The history set by Hurricane Ekeka repeated itself when, on March 28, a low-latitude area of thunderstorms organized into Tropical Depression Two-C. The next day, it intensified into a tropical storm and was named Hali, which is Hawaiian for Holly.cite web| author=Central Pacific Hurricane Center| year=1992| title=Hurricane Hali Preliminary Report| publisher=Central Pacific Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1992.php#Hali] The reached its peak intensity on March 29. Almost immediately thereafter, wind shear blew the top off the system and caused it to fall apart. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center declared the system dissipated on March 30.

Tropical Storm Hali had no impact on land. However, it is also a meteorological enigma. Hali is the only known eastern Pacific tropical cyclone to develop in the month of March. It is thus the strongest March storm. cite web| author=Dan Voight| year=2007| title=Unisys 1992 EPHS Archive| publisher=Unisys Inc.| accessdate=2006-03-16| url=http://www.weather.unisys.com/hurricane/e_pacific/1992/index.html]

Tropical Storm Agatha

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Agatha 1992 track.pngFormed=June 1
Dissipated=June 5
1-min winds=60
Pressure=990A tropical wave that entered the Pacific in late May organized into Tropical Depression One-E on June 1. It moved north for the next two days. The depression strengthened into a tropical storm on June 2. After peaking the same day, Agatha slowed down and started drifting west. It steadily weakened, falling to a depression on June 5. Agatha had dissipated by the next day.cite web| author=Miles B. Lawrence| year=1992-06-28| title=Tropical Storm Agatha Preliminary Report| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/agatha/prelim01.gif] Agatha approached close enough to the coast of Mexico that watches and warnings were issued. Gale-force winds were not reported, and there was no deaths and no damage. The only other impact was isolated instances of flash-flooding due to rain.

Tropical Depression Two-E

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Formed=June 16
Dissipated=June 19
1-min winds=30A tropical depression formed near 114W on June 16. The storm moved west for a short time, reaching a peak intensity 1009 mbar and maximum sustained winds of convert|35|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. It dissipated on June 19.cite web| url=http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0493/122/3/pdf/i1520-0493-122-3-549.pdf| title=Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season of 1992|accessdate=2007-03-03| author=Miles B. Lawrence| coauthors=Edward N. Rappaport| year=1994| month=March| work=Monthly Weather Review| publisher=American Meteorological Society]

Tropical Storm Blas

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Blas 1992 track.pngFormed=June 22
Dissipated=June 23
1-min winds=35
Pressure=1004A tropical wave crossed over Dakar, Africa on June 4 and crossed the Cape Verde Islands by the day after. The wave continued westward and on June 10, passed the Windward Islands. The wave went through Central America during the period of June 14 and June 16. The system entered the Eastern Pacific basin without gaining much convection. Over waters marginally suitable for cyclogenesis, a tropical wave organized into the second depression of the season on June 22. It briefly reached tropical storm strength on June 23. It then moved over cooler waters and dissipated the next day. Blas did not have any impact on land masses.cite web| author=Lixion A. Avila| year=1992-08-08| title=Tropical Storm Agatha Preliminary Report| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/blas/prelim01.gif]

Hurricane Celia

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Celia 1992 track.pngFormed=June 22
Dissipated=July 4
1-min winds=125
Pressure=935Celia's origin as a tropical wave on June 8 off the coast of Africa.cite web| author=Richard J. Pasch| year=1992-12-02| title=Hurricane Celia Preliminary Report - Page 1| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/celia/prelim01.gif] The system moved toward Central America and crossed over into the East Pacific basin around the 19th. The NHC declared the wave as a tropical depression on June 22 farther east than usual due to the low vertical wind shear. The NHC declared it as a tropical storm on the 23rd and was given the name Celia. Soon afterwards Celia started strengthening and soon became a hurricane. Celia started deepening rapidly starting around June 26 and soon became a Category 4 major hurricane with winds of convert|125|kn|km/h and a minimal pressure of 935 mbar.cite web| author=Richard J. Pasch| year=1992-12-02| title=Hurricane Celia Preliminary Report - Page 2| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/celia/prelim02.gif] Celia maintained Category 4 intensity for about 24 hours and then start gradually weakening. Celia fell below hurricane status on July 2 and to tropical depression status the next day. Thereafter, all that was left of Celia was a swirl of low-convection clouds and was impossible to recognize on July 4.

Hurricane Darby

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Darby 1992 track.pngFormed=July 2
Dissipated=July 10
1-min winds=105
Pressure=968A tropical wave organized into tropical depression Five-E on July 2. It strengthened and was named Darby the next day. Steering currents became very strong, and Darby accelerated as it paralleled the coast of Mexico. It strengthened into a hurricane on July 5 and also substantially increased in size. It peaked as a strong Category 3 on July 6. Darby began to substantially weaken thereafter as it passed over cooler waters. The hurricane weakened into a storm and then a depression on July 8 and July 9, respectively. Tropical Depression Darby lost tropical characteristics the next day. Moisture from the hurricane eventually spread over parts of the Continental United States.cite web| author=Britt Max Mayfield| year=1992-08-09| title=Hurricane Darby Preliminary Report - Page 1| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/darby/prelim01.gif]

During Darby's formation, flooding from the cyclone's rainbands killed three people in Acapulco, Guerrero and 180 shops were damaged. Four fishermen were reported missing, fate unknown. Manzanillo, Colima, reported sustained winds just above tropical-storm force. The hurricane's remnants brought mainly light rain to the U.S. state of California. Cloud cover als delayed the landing of the Space Shuttle "Columbia" for one day. South-facing beaches of that state were pounded with waves up to 7 feet (2.3 m) in height. A monetary value for damage is not available.cite web| author=Britt Max Mayfield| year=1992-08-09| title=Hurricane Darby Preliminary Report - Page 2| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/darby/prelim02.gif]

Darby also caused a few shipping accidents. A pleasure craft, the "Oasis", had an engine failure and was abandoned. The seven people aboard were rescued, but the boat was sunk. A smaller sailboat, the "Hosanna", had difficulties but was towed to a safe location by a cutter from the United States Coast Guard. A fishing boat at an unspecified location also experienced difficulties.cite web| author=Britt Max Mayfield| year=1992-08-09| title=Hurricane Darby Preliminary Report - Page 3| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/darby/prelim03.gif]

Hurricane Estelle

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Estelle 1992 track.pngFormed=July 9
Dissipated=July 17
1-min winds=120
Pressure=943The origin of Hurricane Estelle is unclear. The National Hurricane Center indicates that it may have formed from a tropical wave that began on June 23 off the African coast.cite web| author=Edward Rappaport| year=1992-08-10| title=Hurricane Estelle Preliminary Report| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/estelle/prelim01.gif] The wave began to move at low latitudes and passed the northern part of South America. On July 2, deep convection began to join with the wave as it crossed into the eastern Pacific Ocean on July 7. Reports indicate that the wave strengthened into Tropical Depression Five on July 9. 18 hours later, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Estelle in unusually strong wind shear. The shear began to weaken and an eye began to form in Estelle on July 11. These eye formations caused the NHC to upgrade Estelle to a hurricane.

From early July 11 to late July 15, Estelle moved at about 7 - convert|15|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on to the northwest. During this period, Estelle reached convert|130|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds and became a Category 4 hurricane. Estelle to weaken gradually and on July 17, Estelle had completely lost its characteristics. Estelle did not affect land in its lifetime, thus no damage was reported.

Hurricane Frank

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Frank 1992 track.pngFormed=July 13
Dissipated=July 23
1-min winds=125
Pressure=935Category 4, minimum pressure of 935 mb. Formed July 13, dissipated July 23.

Hurricane Georgette

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Georgette 1992 track.pngFormed=July 14
Dissipated=July 26
1-min winds=95
Pressure=964Category 2, minimum pressure of 964 mb. Formed July 14, dissipated July 26.

Tropical Storm Howard

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Howard 1992 track.pngFormed=July 26
Dissipated=July 30
1-min winds=55
Pressure=992Minimum pressure of 992 mb. Formed July 26, dissipated July 30.

Tropical Storm Isis

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Isis 1992 track.pngFormed=July 28
Dissipated=August 2
1-min winds=55
Pressure=992Minimum pressure of 992 mb. Formed July 28, dissipated August 2.

Hurricane Javier

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Javier 1992 track.pngFormed=July 30
Dissipated=August 12
1-min winds=70
Pressure=985Category 1, minimum pressure of 985 mb. Formed July 30, dissipated August 12.

Tropical Depression Twelve-E

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Formed=August 10
Dissipated=August 12
1-min winds=30
Pressure=1008Minimum pressure of 1008 mb. Formed August 10, dissipated August 12. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992/td12e/ Tropical Depression Twelve-E Archive] ]

Tropical Storm Kay

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Kay 1992 track.pngFormed=August 18
Dissipated=August 22
1-min winds=45
Pressure=1000Minimum pressure of 1000 mb. Formed August 18, dissipated August 22.

Hurricane Lester

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Lester 1992 track.pngFormed=August 20
Dissipated=August 24
1-min winds=70
Pressure=985Lester was the first actual landfall of the Eastern Pacific season. The hurricane first made landfall in Baja California Peninsula on the 23rd, striking mainland Mexico late that day. Accelerating northeast, Lester entered the U.S. state of Arizona as a tropical storm and New Mexico as a tropical depression before ejecting out into the Plains. [http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/tropical/rain/lester1992.html HPC Lester Rainfall] accessed March 6, 2006]

No deaths were reported. Lester left over 5000 people homeless. Several tiny settlements west of Hermosillo, Sonora, and on a highway to San Diego, California, were destroyed. A ship called the "Gladiator" rolled over 33 degrees to both starboard and port, spilling a considerable amount of cargo.

Tropical Storm Madeline

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Madeline 1992 track.pngFormed=August 27
Dissipated=August 31
1-min winds=45
Pressure=999Far in the open ocean, a tropical wave organized into Tropical Depression 14-E on August 27. Banding and convection increased, and the depression became a tropical storm the next day. Development continued, and Madeline peaked with a minimum pressure of 999 mb, and winds of convert|45|kn|km/h, on August 29. As the system progressed westward, it entered a region of strong wind shear and had dissipated on August 31. The system never came near land.cite web| author=Lixion Avila| year=1992| title=Tropical Storm Madeline Preliminary Report| publisher=National Hurricane Center| accessdate=2007-08-18| url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1992-prelim/madeline/prelim01.gif]

Tropical Storm Newton

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Newton 1992 track.pngFormed=August 27
Dissipated=August 31
1-min winds=45
Pressure=999Minimum pressure of 999 mb. Formed August 27, dissipated August 31.

Hurricane Orlene

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Orlene 1992 track.pngFormed=September 2
Dissipated=September 14
1-min winds=125
Pressure=934Category 4, minimum pressure of 934 mb. Formed September 2, dissipated September 14. As a depression, Orlene made landfall on the Big Island of Hawaii. It caused downpours and washed out roads.

Hurricane Iniki

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Iniki 1992 track.pngFormed=September 5
Dissipated=September 13
1-min winds=125
Pressure=938On September 5, a tropical wave organized into Tropical Depression Eighteen-E. After crossing 140°W, the system strengthened into a tropical storm on September 8 and was named Iniki (Hawaiian for Enid [http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1992.php#Iniki CPHC Iniki Report] accessed March 6, 2006] ) In a favorable environment, Iniki intensified into a hurricane on September 9 and a major hurricane the day after. Iniki reached Category 4 intensity early on September 11.

Meanwhile, a series of troughs broke down a ridge over the Hawaiian Islands. This recurved Iniki and accelerated the system northward. Iniki's eye passed directly over Kauai on September 11, the first hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii since Hurricane Dot in 1959. Iniki weakened to a tropical storm and went extratropical on September 13 and was promptly absorbed by a front.

At the time, Hurricane Iniki was the costliest Pacific hurricane in recorded history. Damage was heavy on Kauai, with many buildings being unroofed. A total of 1241 houses were completely destroyed. The total cost of damage was 2 billion dollars. Six people died and more than 100 people were injured.

Hurricane Paine

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Paine 1992 track.pngFormed=September 11
Dissipated=September 16
1-min winds=65
Pressure=987Category 1, minimum pressure of 987 mb. Formed September 11, dissipated September 16.

Hurricane Roslyn

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Roslyn 1992 track.pngFormed=September 13
Dissipated=September 25
1-min winds=85
Pressure=975Category 2, minimum pressure of 975 mb. Formed September 13, dissipated September 25.

Hurricane Seymour

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Seymour 1992 track.pngFormed=September 17
Dissipated=September 27
1-min winds=75
Pressure=980Category 1, minimum pressure of 980 mb. Formed September 17, dissipated September 27.

Hurricane Tina

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Tina 1992 track.pngFormed=September 17
Dissipated=October 11
1-min winds=130
Pressure=932Tina was the strongest storm of the season and threatened land for a time. It formed from a tropical wave on September 17. It moved glacially towards the west and strengthened into a hurricane. A breakdown in a ridge and to the north and a trough then recurved Tina to the northeast and towards land, still moving slowly and gradually slowing down.

The trough broke down and was replaced by a strong ridge. Tina then changed direction again and headed out to sea. It intensified into a Category 4 storm with a central pressure of 932 millibars. Tina then slowly weakened as it turned to the north. The stubborn Tropical Depression Tina dissipated on 11 October, shortly after entering the central Pacific.

Due to its erratic track and slow motion, Tina was alive from September 17 to October 11— a span of 24 days. This is the record for the eastern Pacific Ocean, smashing the east/central record of 20 days held by Hurricane Fico in the 1978 season and surpassing Typhoon Rita's west Pacific 1972 record. It was itself surpassed just two years later by Hurricane John.

Hurricane Virgil

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Virgil 1992 track.pngFormed=October 1
Dissipated=October 5
1-min winds=117
Pressure=948Virgil made landfall in western Mexico as a Category 3 storm after weakening from peaking as a Category 4 hurricane. Virgil paralleled the coast and headed back out to sea as a depression and dissipated.

Because Virgil made landfall in a sparsely populated area, damage from storm surge was minimal. The chief effect was heavy rain and flooding, peaking at over convert|10|in|cm in one location. One person was reported missing in the state of Colima, and three people were injured in Guerrero. More than 1000 homes were damaged in Guerrero, Michoacán, and Colima, as was convert|7400|acre|km2 of farmland. A flood on the Atoyac River washed away 500 homes in Guerrero, which prompted the evacuation of 2500 people. A passenger train north of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, was derailed when it encountered washed-out roadbeds.

Hurricane Winifred

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Winifred 1992 track.pngFormed=October 6
Dissipated=October 10
1-min winds=100
Pressure=960Winifred was the final hurricane of the season. After reaching Category 3 status, Winifred recurved and hit western Mexico at Category 2 strength. The hurricane quickly dissipated by October 10.

Three people were killed by floods. Damage was concentrated in Colima and Michoacán. Electricity and water systems was knocked out in Colima. There was also damage to hotels, restaurants, and houses. Total damage in Colima was estimated at 16 million pesos (5 million USD) by that state's governor. Flooding along the coastal highway connecting Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, with Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo in Guerrero was extensive. Roughly 840 square kilometres (320 mi²) of farmland was damaged.

Tropical Storm Xavier

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Xavier 1992 track.pngFormed=October 13
Dissipated=October 15
1-min winds=40
Pressure=1003Minimum pressure of 1003 mb. Formed October 13, dissipated October 15.

Tropical Storm Yolanda

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Yolanda 1992 track.pngFormed=October 15
Dissipated=October 22
1-min winds=55
Pressure=993Minimum pressure of 993 mb. Formed October 15, dissipated October 22.

Tropical Storm Zeke

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Zeke 1992 track.pngFormed=October 25
Dissipated=October 30
1-min winds=45
Pressure=1000Minimum pressure of 1000 mb. Formed October 25, dissipated October 30.

Tropical Depression Three-C

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac
Formed=November 21
Dissipated=November 21
1-min winds=30This storm formed November 21, dissipated November 21. [http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/1992.php#Three-c Tropical Depression Three-C Archive] ]

Accumulated Cyclone Energy Rating (ACE)

The table below shows the ACE for each storm in the season. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength. The figures in parenthesis are for storms in the Central Pacific basin west of 140°W; those not in parenthesis are for the Eastern Pacific basin. This season had the highest ACE of any season on record, with an overall value of 295.492. The 1990 season also had a high ACE, at about 250 that year, but only about 4 of that was fron the central Pacific. 33.34 of this seasons total ace came from the central Pacific; excluding it, the overall ace was 262.152. The 1990 season had 6 less storms than this year, but because 16 of the 21 storms that year became hurricanes (the record for any season), and the fact that the major hurricanes in 1990, like Hernan and Trudy, were stronger than this year's ones, the 1990 season's ACE was only 12 lower than this season, so this season had a higher ACE than 1990, but the average ACE per storm that year was higher than this year.

The cumulative ACE for the Eastern Pacific this season fell within the official "Near Normal" grading, even though the number of tropical storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes was well above the long term average.

torm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the northeast Pacific in 1992. No eastern Pacific names were retired, so it was used again in the 1998 season. This is the same list used for the 1986 season. Storms were named Seymour, Tina, Virgil, Winifred, Xavier, Yolanda, and Zeke for the first time in 1992. Yolanda and Zeke were the first time that Y and Z names had been used to name storms.

All names on the list were used this year. This is the second time that a northeast Pacific hurricane season had exhausted its list. The 1983 season also used every name on its list, but the list only went to the W name at the time. The 1985 season's list was lengthened while it was going on to prevent exhaustion.

Three names from the central Pacific list were used - Ekeka, Hali, and Iniki. This was the first usage for all of these names.

Retirement

One name was retired from the Central Pacific list after the 1992 season: Iniki. It was replaced with Iolana. Later, in 2006, a name change for various Central Pacific names took place and a second name was removed: Hali. It was replaced by Hene. [cite web|author=Dennis H. McCarthy|year=2007|title=National Weather Service Instruction Tropical Cyclone Names and Pronunciation Guide|accessdate=2007-02-12|url=http://www.weather.gov/directives/sym/pd01006006curr.pdf|format=PDF]

ee also

*List of Pacific hurricanes
*List of Pacific hurricane seasons
*1992 Atlantic hurricane season
*1992 Pacific typhoon season
*1992 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
*Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons: 1991–92, 1992–93

References

External links

* [ftp://ftp.nhc.noaa.gov/pub/storm_archives/pacific/prelimep/ep1992/ NHC 1992 Pacific hurricane season archive]
* [http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/pages/hurrclimate.php#1992 Central Pacific Hurricane Center archive]