2004 Pacific hurricane season

Infobox hurricane season
Basin=EPac
Year=2004
Track=2004 Pacific hurricane season map.png First storm formed=May 22, 2004
Last storm dissipated=October 13, 2004
Strongest storm name=Javier
Strongest storm winds=130
Strongest storm pressure=930
Average wind speed=1
Total depressions=17
Total storms=12
Total hurricanes=6
Total intense=3
Fatalities=0
Da

Inflated=
five seasons=2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006The 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.

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Pre-season forecasts

The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicted a slow year, with only a 10% chance of above-average storm activity in the eastern North Pacific. The pre-season forecast predicted 13 to 15 tropical storms, 6 to 8 hurricanes, and 2 to 4 becoming major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale).Fact|date=February 2007

torms

"See Also: Timeline of the 2004 Pacific hurricane season"

Tropical Storm Agatha

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Agatha 2004 track.pngFormed=May 22
Dissipated=May 24
1-min winds=50
Pressure=997A tropical wave, combined with a stationary trough of low pressure, developed into a tropical depression on May 22 while located 575 miles 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 on the 23rd, 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 the 26th. Agatha never affected land. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004agatha.shtml?]

Tropical Depression Two-E

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=2-E 2004 track.pngFormed=July 2
Dissipated=July 3
1-min winds=30
Pressure=1007On 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 miles southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. [ [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004two-e.shtml NHC Tropical Cyclone Report ] ] Due to cooler waters, the depression failed to develop further [ [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep022004.discus.003.shtml Tropical Depression TWO-E ] ] , and the system degenerated into a remnant area of low pressure on July 4. The low dissipated a day later without effecting land. [ [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004two-e.shtml NHC Tropical Cyclone Report ] ]

Tropical Depression One-C

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=1-C 2004 track.pngFormed=July 5
Dissipated=July 6
1-min winds=25
Pressure=1007Tropical Depression One-C formed in the Central North Pacific southwest of Hawaii on July 5, and did no damage, it stayed over waters for it's lifetime, and One-c dissipated the next day.
* CPHC [http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/2004.php#td01c archive] for 1C.

Tropical Storm Blas

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Blas 2004 track.pngFormed=July 11
Dissipated=July 15
1-min winds=55
Pressure=991On 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 on the 12th. Cooler water temperatures weakened the storm to a remnant low on the 14th, though it remained large and well-defined. The remnant low continued to the west-northwest until dissipating on July 19 to the west of Baja California. Blas never affected land. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004blas.shtml]

Hurricane Celia

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Celia 2004 track.pngFormed=July 19
Dissipated=July 25
1-min winds=75
Pressure=981A 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 before moving into an area of cool waters and dry air, thus weakening it. The storm weakened into a tropical depression on the 24th, and dissipated two days later. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004celia.shtml]

Hurricane Darby

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Darby 2004 track.pngFormed=July 26
Dissipated=August 1
1-min winds=105
Pressure=957Tropical Depression Five-E formed south of Mexico on July 26. Later that day, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Darby, and only four hours later, at 2 a.m. (0900 UTC) on July 27, was upgraded to Hurricane Darby. 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. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004darby.shtml]

The remnants of the storm caused heavy rainfall over Hawaii, though caused no damage or deaths. [http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~535835] As a hurricane, Darby also produced strong waves of 4 to 8 feet on eastern Hawaii. [http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~ShowEvent~535830]

Tropical Depression Six-E

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=6-E 2004 track.pngFormed=August 1
Dissipated=August 2
1-min winds=25
Pressure=1008An area of disturbed weather organized into a tropical depression on August 1 while located 1,265 miles southwest of the Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. It moved westward without organizing, and quickly dissipated.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2004|title=Summary of the 2004 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season|accessdate=2006-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/tws/MIATWSEP_nov.shtml?] Operationally, the depression developed early on July 29cite web|author=Stacy Stewart|year=2004|title=Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion One|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep062004.discus.001.shtml?] , though further analysis indicated a circulation did not exist.cite web|author=James L. Franklin|year=2004|title=Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion Four|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep062004.discus.004.shtml?] Also operationally, forecasters issued tropical cyclone advisories until August 3.cite web|author=Knabb/Avila|year=2004|title=Tropical Depression Six-E Discussion Twelve|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=2006-07-15|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep062004.discus.012.shtml?]

Tropical Storm Estelle

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Estelle 2004 track.pngFormed=August 19
Dissipated=August 24
1-min winds=60
Pressure=989A tropical wave organized into Tropical Depression Six-E on August 19 while located 1,440 miles 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 the 21st. Strong shear weakened the storm, and it weakened to a tropical depression on the 23rd. It turned to the west-southwest, degenerated into a remnant low on the 24th, and dissipated on the 25th. Estelle never effected land. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004estelle.shtml]

Hurricane Frank

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Frank 2004 track.pngFormed=August 23
Dissipated=August 26
1-min winds=75
Pressure=979The 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 miles 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 the 24th. 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 the 27th while 750 miles west of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. The storm never affected land. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004frank.shtml?]

Tropical Depression Nine-E

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=9-E 2004 track.pngFormed=August 23
Dissipated=August 26
1-min winds=30
Pressure=1005On 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 the 23rd while located 920 miles west-southwest of the Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004nine-e.shtml?] Despite initial predictions of the depression intensifying to a 45 mph tropical storm, [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2004/dis/ep092004.discus.001.shtml?] cool water temperatures and south-southwesterly wind shear prevented strengthening, and the depression degenerated into a remnant area of low pressure on the 26th. The low dissipated on the 28th. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004nine-e.shtml?]

Tropical Storm Georgette

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Georgette 2004 track.pngFormed=August 26
Dissipated=August 30
1-min winds=55
Pressure=995A tropical wave that entered the eastern Pacific on August 24 developed into a tropical depression on August 26 while located 600 miles 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 the 27th, but weakened due to upper level shear. The storm briefly restrengthened on the 28th, 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. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004georgette.shtml]

Hurricane Howard

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Howard 2004 track.pngFormed=August 30
Dissipated=September 5
1-min winds=120
Pressure=943Tropical Depression Eleven-E formed on August 30 from a tropical wave about 400 miles southwest of the Mexican port of Acapulco, Guerrero. It strengthened as it moved to the northwest, becoming a tropical storm on the 31st. 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 the 5th. A ridge of high pressure turned the low to the southwest, a motion it would keep until dissipating on the 10th. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004howard.shtml]

As a Category 4 hurricane, Howard produced 6 to 12 foot 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

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Isis 2004 track.pngFormed=September 8
Dissipated=September 16
1-min winds=65
Pressure=987A tropical wave, possibly the same one that spanwed Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Frances, developed into Tropical Depression Twelve-E on September 8 while located 530 miles south of the Mexican port of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. It moved westward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Isis later on the 8th, though vertical shear weakened the storm to a tropical depression on the 10th. Wind shear decreased, and Isis re-attained tropical storm status on the 12th. It remained a minimal tropical storm until the 15th, 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 the 21st. Isis never affected land. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004isis.shtml]

Hurricane Javier

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac

---

Track=Javier 2004 track.pngFormed=September 10
Dissipated=September 19
1-min winds=130
Pressure=930Tropical 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

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Kay 2004 track.pngFormed=October 4
Dissipated=October 6
1-min winds=40
Pressure=1004The Intertropical Convergence Zone developed an area of disturbed weather on October 3 while several hundred miles to the southwest of Mexico. A low-level circulation gradually became more defined, and the system organized into a tropical depression on October 4. The next day, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Kay, though strong wind shear weakened the storm to a depression 12 hours after becoming named. The depression degenerated into a remnant low on October 6, turned to the southwest, and dissipated on the 7th. Kay never affected land. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004kay.shtml]

Tropical Storm Lester

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=Lester 2004 track.pngFormed=October 11
Dissipated=October 13
1-min winds=45
Pressure=1000An area of disturbed weather organized into Tropical Depression Fifteen-E on October 11 while located 90 miles off the coast of Mexico. With a weak anticyclone near the system, the depression slowly strengthened, and intensified into a tropical storm on the 12th. 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. [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004lester.shtml]

The Mexican government issued a Tropical Storm Warning along the Guerrero coast from Punta Maldonado to Zihuatanejo. The storm produced 3 to 5 inches of rainfall across Mexico [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004lester.shtml] , causing moderate damage in the Acapulco area. The rainfall caused at least one mudslide and downed 14 trees. [http://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/mexico/398233.html]

Tropical Depression Sixteen-E

Infobox Hurricane Small
Basin=EPac


Track=16-E 2004 track.pngFormed=October 25
Dissipated=October 26
1-min winds=30
Pressure=1004A 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 miles south of Baja California. 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 miles 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. [ [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004sixteen-e.shtml NHC Tropical Cyclone Report ] ]

The depression dropped heavy rainfall in western Mexico, including a peak 24 hour total of 7.1 inches in Sinaloa. [ [http://smn.cna.gob.mx/ciclones/tempo2004/pacifico/dt16p/dt16p.html CNA.SMN. Depresión Tropical N° 16 del Océano Pacífico. Temporada 2004 ] ] 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. [ [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004sixteen-e.shtml NHC Tropical Cyclone Report ] ]

torm names

The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Pacific in 2004. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray. No names were retired by the WMO; therefore, this list will be used again in the 2010 season.

No central Pacific names were used in 2004; the first name used would have been Ioke.

ee also

*List of Pacific hurricanes
*List of Pacific hurricane seasons
*2004 Atlantic hurricane season
*2004 Pacific typhoon season
*2004 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
*South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2003–04, 2004–05
*Australian region cyclone seasons: 2003–04, 2004–05
*South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2003–04, 2004–05

References

External links

* [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2004epac.shtml National Hurricane Center's 2004 Pacific hurricane season archive]
* [http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc/ Central Pacific Hurricane Center]