Hurricane Liza (1968)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Liza
Type=hurricane
Year=1968
Basin=Pac
Image location=Hurricane Liza (1968).jpg


Formed= August 28, 1968
Dissipated=September 6, 1968
Pressure=998
1-min winds=75
Da

Inflated=0.029
Fatalities=None
Areas=California
Hurricane season=1968 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Liza was the third hurricane of the 1968 Pacific hurricane season. Forming from an area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) on August 28 and reaching tropical storm strength in the same day, Liza meandered generally westward over the Pacific Ocean, reaching hurricane strength on August 29 while far from land. It maintained that intensity until September 2, when the hurricane was downgraded to a tropical storm, but avoided tropical depression status despite the presentation seen by a Air Force reconnaissance plane. After weakening, the storm moved northwestward, weakening to a depression on September 4, when it began a turn to the east. There is a possibility that the depression completed a small loop between the downgrade and its dissipation on September 6.

Although it remained far from land, the waves triggered by Liza were able to reach California, where they combined with high tide, threatening beachfront homes that had weakened foundations after a previous tide. The hurricane was responsible for sweeping hundreds of Labor Day swimmers out into the ocean in Zuma Beach and Newport Beach, all of whom were saved by lifeguards. The waves also tore off a group of sundecks estimated at $5,000 (1968 USD) near Laguna Beach.

Meteorological history

For a period beginning on August 25, the ITCZ was active near the border between Mexico and Guatemala. A report of convert|40|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds, a barometric pressure of 1010.5 mbar, and heavy thundershowers was received from a Coast Guard cutter called the "Androscoggin" while the ship was convert|150|mi|km|abbr=on south of Tehuantepec. The report also mentioned that the thundershowers were generating convert|9|ft|m|sing=on high swells. The conditions developed in a northward bend in the ITCZ that was moving westward. No activity other than clusters of rain were shown on satellite until August 28, when a tropical disturbance suddenly developed along the bend, reaching tropical depression status as the day began.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1969|title=Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data 1949-2007|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] The depression became Tropical Storm Liza later that day, when the ship "Jag Jawan" reported winds of convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and 1003.2 mbar. Another ship named "Teverya", which was convert|60|mi|km|abbr=on northwest of the "Jag Jawan", reported similar wind speeds, but a pressure of 998 mbar, the lowest barometric pressure recorded from the storm throughout its life. Satellite pictures showed a vortex arrangement consisting of three cloud masses and two arching bands of cumulonimbus clouds, all of which were producing cirrus outflow.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1969|title=Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

The tropical storm moved west-northwest for 48 hours after being named, reaching hurricane intensity on August 29, with satellite pictures showing an eye. Until September 1, all ships kept out of range of the hurricane, leaving satellite imagery as the only method for obtaining information. The August 30 ESSA-6 satellite image of the hurricane showed a circular eye embedded in a nearly circular central dense overcast (CDO) spanning 5° of latitude in diameter. Inflow was apparent in feeder bands from the south, but a large area of dry air and clear skies spanned to the north and west of the hurricane. It was estimated that the hurricane was at its peak intensity at this time. On August 31, the CDO had shrunk, but the cyclone still maintained intensity until September 1, when the hurricane had moved over cooler water and began to weaken due to cold inflow. Around this time, an unnamed ship passing north of the center going eastward reported winds of convert|85|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and convert|40|ft|m|sing=on to convert|45|ft|m|sing=on high seas. The weakening of the hurricane accelerated, becoming uncoupled from the warm waters and losing its cirrus cap, exposing the center. An Air Force reconnaissance plane sent to investigate the storm on September 2 showed that the hurricane had weakened into a tropical storm. However, the cyclone was so disorganized at this time that the observer remarked that there was a possibility that Liza was no longer even a tropical storm. The storm continued to evaporate and was downgraded to a depression on September 4 and drifted southwestward until it dissipated on September 6.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1969|title=Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data 1949-2007|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt]

Disputes

There are two disputes between the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the best track data, and the post-season report concerning the hurricane. The first involved the peak intensity of the hurricane. The post-season report released by the Environmental Science Services Administration noted that the convert|85|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds recorded by the unknown ship on September 1 were received two days after cool inflow, and gave the hurricane a peak intensity estimate of convert|115|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on on August 30, making Liza a Category 3 hurricane and the most intense hurricane of the season.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1969|title=Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] However, the JTWC and the best track data both gave peak intensities equivalent to the ship report on September 1.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data 1949-2007|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=JTWC Report: Hurricane Liza|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/cep/15.pdf] Liza was the first of three hurricanes of the season that was thought to have reached Category 3 strength. The other two were Pauline and Rebecca.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1969|title=Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

Another dispute exists concerning the track the hurricane took, specifically between the downgrade to tropical depression and dissipation. The best track and ESSA report both showed that Liza went southwestward through the time period.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1969|title=Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|publisher=NOAA|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data 1949-2007|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] However, the JTWC final report on Liza reported that Liza made a tiny loop that was entirely within 24°N to 25°N latitude and 125°W to 126°W longitude from September 4 to September 6.cite web|author=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|year=1969|title=JTWC Report: Hurricane Liza|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/atcr/1968atcr/pdf/cep/15.pdf]

Impact, records, and naming

Despite never making landfall, the United States Weather Bureau warned that Liza could cause damage in California due to convert|4|ft|m|sing=on to convert|6|ft|m|sing=on swells it generated merging with high tide,cite web|year=1968|title=Breakers Calm Down After Lashing Newport|publisher="Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] creating convert|5|ft|m|sing=on to convert|10|ft|m|sing=on breaker waves which they reported could sweep over jetties and breakwaters as well as cause riptides on beaches.cite web|year=1968|title=Big Sea Swells Due At Beaches|publisher="Independent Star–News"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Officials at Long Beach were keeping an eye on breakwater activity and Laguna Beach lifeguards were prepared in case the swells reported there grew.cite web|author=Bill Homer|year=1968|title=Southland Beaches Brace For 10–Foot–High Waves|publisher="Independent Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] At Newport Beach, the Corps of Engineers were brought in to create a buffer with sand and rock to protect homes between 41st Street and 46th Street,cite web|year=1968|title=Breakers Calm Down After Lashing Newport|publisher="Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] cite web|year=1968|title=Hurricane Spins Off Mexico|publisher="Oakland Tribune"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] and concern in West Newport Beach was that the hurricane would cause more damage to oceanfront homes that were weakened by swirling seas the previous week.cite web|author=Bill Homer|year=1968|title=Southland Beaches Brace For 10–Foot–High Waves|publisher="Independent Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The waves were expected to be the only cause of damage from the hurricane,cite web|year=1968|title=California Sees Some Big Waves|publisher="San Antonio Express"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] which forecaster Emii Kurtz remarked was "much too far away" to affect actual weather conditions.cite web|year=1968|title=Breakers Calm Down After Lashing Newport|publisher="Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] cite web|year=1968|title=Big Sea Swells Due At Beaches|publisher="Independent Star–News"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

From September 2 to September 3, large waves, some as high as convert|12|ft|m|sing=on, impacted beaches throughout southern California,cite web|year=1968|title=High Waves Lash California Beaches|publisher="Wisconsin State Journal"|accessdate=2008-05-24|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] with Los Angeles and Orange Counties experiencing growing breakers,cite web|year=1968|title=Hurricane Spins Off Mexico|publisher="Oakland Tribune"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] and Cabrillo Beach experiencing riptides for two days straight.cite web|year=1968|title=Breakers Calm Down After Lashing Newport|publisher="Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Due to the Labor Day beach turnout, many reports of rescuing swimmers who were swept up by waves caused by the hurricane were received. On September 2, forty-seven swimmers in Zuma Beach had to be rescued despite warnings to stay out of deep water,cite web|year=1968|title=California Sees Some Big Waves|publisher="San Antonio Express"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] cite web|year=1968|title=High Waves Lash California Beaches|publisher="Wisconsin State Journal"|accessdate=2008-05-24|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] and an additional 261 rescues were reported in Newport. More rescues were reported the next day, although no exact total from the second day is known.cite web|year=1968|title=California Sees Some Big Waves|publisher="San Antonio Express"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] At the El Morro Beach Trailer Park near Laguna Beach, a group of sundecks estimated at $5,000 (1968 USD) were ripped from their supports by rough seas.cite web|year=1968|title=Staircase to Nowhere|publisher="Independent"|accessdate=2008-05-24|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Long Beach, in terms of damage, was particularly hit hard by Liza, with debris and sea foam from the heavy surf clogging storm drains. A group of tidal pools formed along an area of the beach, draining out from a parking lot on 72nd Street onto Ocean Boulevard, resulting in flooding that closed a section of the boulevard between 68th Place and 72nd Place to traffic.cite web|year=1968|title=Breakers Calm Down After Lashing Newport|publisher="Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Various flower gardens were also reported to have been swamped by the flooding, but no damage to housing was reported.cite web|year=1968|title=Breakers Calm Down After Lashing Newport|publisher="Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The weakened properties in West Newport Beach also sustained no additional damage.cite web|author=Bill Homer|year=1968|title=Southland Beaches Brace For 10–Foot–High Waves|publisher="Independent Press–Telegram"|accessdate=2008-03-31|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

Because the damage associated with the hurricane was not extreme, the name Liza was not retired following the 1968 season, and was subsequently used on naming lists until 1978, when a new name list using both male and female names was instated, and the name has not been used since,cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data 1949-2007|accessdate=2008-01-27|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt] although the similarly named Lisa is currently in use in the Atlantic, with the next use being in 2010.

ee also

*List of Pacific hurricanes

References