Hurricane Pauline (1968)

Infobox Hurricane
Name=Hurricane Pauline
Type=hurricane
Year=1968
Basin=Pac
Image location=Hurricane Pauline (1968) on September 29.jpg


Formed= September 26, 1968
Dissipated=October 3, 1968
Pressure=≤1002
1-min winds=75
Da

Inflated=
Fatalities=5 direct
Areas=Mexico, California, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico
Hurricane season=1968 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Pauline was the only hurricane of the 1968 Pacific hurricane season with recorded casualties. Forming from a disturbance in the Intertropical Convergence Zone on September 26 and becoming a tropical storm on September 29, the hurricane strengthened to a peak of convert|85|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale on September 30 before making landfall at a point east of La Paz, Baja California Sur, near Ciudad Constitución, in Mexico, exiting over the Gulf of California. Before making a second landfall on the state of Sonora on October 3, Pauline lost tropical characteristics. The storm continued inland, passing directly over Ciudad Obregón before dissipating south-southeast of Sierra Vista, Arizona.

There is very little information as to the effects of Pauline on Mexico, but during the passage of the hurricane over Magdalena Bay, a boat disappeared with its five occupants. Despite a large-scale search for the boat or any possible remnants, no trace was ever found. The remnants of Pauline triggered showers over the southwest United States and may have been responsible for a damaging tornado which occurred near Glendale, Arizona. On best track data, since the hurricane lost tropical characteristics before the Sonoran landfall, it officially made only one landfall.

Meteorological history

The ITCZ disturbance that developed into Hurricane Pauline was first noticed convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on southeast of Acapulco and convert|1500|mi|km|abbr=on to convert|2000|mi|km|abbr=on west of the dissipating Tropical Storm Orla. The disturbance was in a large area of convection west of Guatemala in the Gulf of Tehuantepec that began to spread convert|500|mi|km|abbr=on to the west-northwest on September 26. Satellite images at this time showed an area of reflective clouds convert|500|mi|km|abbr=on long and convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on wide. Most notable about the pictures of the area was the trace of an inverted "V" curvature along the cloudscite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] - a characteristic more common in tropical waves.cite web|author=Neil L. Frank|year=1968|title=The "Inverted V" Cloud Pattern-An Easterly Wave?|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-02-0130.pdf] The disturbance was tracked for 24 hours until September 28, when the disturbance was upgraded to a tropical depression. Later data found that the depression had been active since September 26.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2006|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2006_epa.txt] After being upgraded, a vortex began to organize at its center and the depression began to intensify. On September 29, a ship convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on south of the center reported winds of convert|17|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on to convert|23|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and a minimum pressure of 1008 mbar, the only pressure reading left on best track data for the entire season.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2006|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2006_epa.txt] Other than this ship, all other active boats steered away from the center of the developing system. Later that day, it was determined that the depression had reached tropical storm strength.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf]

After being named, Pauline displayed signs of a tight circulation, but satellite pictures were unable to pick up any distinct features due to obscuring cirrus. Later that day, satellites picked up a feature in the hurricane that resembled an eye, but closer inspection showed that the eye was either a shadow or a gap between bands and that the real center was convert|50|mi|km|abbr=on west of the false eye. On September 30, the storm turned to the northwest and its forward speed accelerated to convert|9|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on. At this time, a satellite picture showed a genuine eye beginning to form in the cirrus cover and banding became apparent through the clouds. However, the picture was distorted by a "venetian blind" effect caused by electronic problems. The tropical storm was subsequently upgraded to hurricane intensity.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] On October 1, the ship "Overseas Joyce" recorded convert|80|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on to convert|85|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on north-northeast winds, a heavy swell from the east-southeast and a pressure of 1002 mbar. An estimate based on satellite pictures placed the "Overseas Joyce" at convert|15|mi|km|abbr=on to convert|20|mi|km|abbr=on away from the center.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] Another nearby ship, the "Golden Eagle", reported south-southeast winds of convert|50|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on and high seas convert|75|mi|km|abbr=on east of the center.

Further investigation into the hurricane was limited to ship reports, and a satellite image on October 1 was mostly not helpful due to another electronic problem, however, it showed that the hurricane had shrunk. A United States Air Force reconnaissance plane flew into the hurricane that day and reported that the eyewall was open on the southwest side. After the breakup of the first eyewall, a break in the clouds lead to the possibility that another eye was forming convert|30|mi|km|abbr=on to the north-northwest of the previous eye.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] No information on the hurricane was available for October 2, when it made landfall near Ciudad Constitutión in Baja California Sur.cite web|author=Storm Advisory.org|year=2008|title=Storm Advisory
accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://stormadvisory.org/map/pacific/east?1968s16] cite web|author=Baja Insider.com|year=2007|title=2007 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Outlook - Beginning the Season|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.bajainsider.com/weather/hurricanes/2007/2007-hurricane-forecast.htm] After landfall, La Paz reported winds of convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on from the northwest, which began weakening in the next hour. Satellite pictures showed that Pauline had moved over the Gulf of California, the interaction with land having weakened it to a tropical storm. The storm moved north, making a second landfall near Navojoa.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] The storm continued inland, passing directly over Ciudad Obregón. The storm dissipated south-southeast of Sierra Vista in Arizona.cite web|author=Storm Advisory.org|year=2008|title=Storm Advisory
accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://stormadvisory.org/map/pacific/east?1968s16] It was eventually found that the hurricane had lost tropical characteristics before the second landfall, leading to it having made only one landfall while active.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2006|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2006_epa.txt]

Impact, records, and naming

Damage totals from Baja California Sur in relation to the hurricane were never received, but light damage was reported in Navojoa.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] The Pasadena-based Independent Star-News reported that a tourist in Mazatlán at the time had sent a card saying that the hurricane was responsible for cutting off-shore capers.cite web|author=John Q. Copeland|year=1968|title=Culturally At Random|publisher=Independent Star-News|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Mexican Navy members in Magdalena Bay reported that while passing over, Pauline had clocked winds of convert|115|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on, the equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. The Navy report of convert|115|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on winds came after another report that the convert|40|ft|m|sing=on auxiliary-powered yawl called the "Tiare" was missing in the same bay.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] The ship had left Newport Harbor on September 25 with the destination being Puerto Vallarta and was occupied by a family of five people: Robert Emigh, his wife Patricia, and their children Kim, Kristen, and another Robert. The last reported sighting of the yawl was off Cedros Island. After the report of the missing yawl was received, the United States Coast Guard engineered a search for the vessel accompanied by Robert Emigh's uncle. The search was called off after covering an area of convert|50000|mi2|km2|abbr=on with no results. The ship was reported as lost and the five occupants were listed as dead. Despite not finding any sign of the ship, the Coast Guard was praised for the extensive search.cite web|author=Associated Press|year=1968|title=Boat Listed as Lost With Family of 5|publisher=Independent|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
]

The remnants of Pauline were responsible for scattered showers in an area ranging from southern California to Utah and New Mexico.cite web|author=Associated Press|year=1968|title=Frosty Weather Nips At Much of Nation Today|publisher=Valley Independent|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] In Arizona, Tucson, Phoenix, and Gila Bend all reported rain on October 3 at a time when Pauline was centered convert|200|mi|km|abbr=on southeast of Douglas and a 30% chance of more rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds were predicted for the rest of the day. cite web|author=Associated Press|year=1968|title=Hurricane May Bring Yuma Rain|publisher=Yuma Daily Sun|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] Around this time, an F2 tornado on the Fujita Scale touched down near Glendale. The tornado followed an erratic path to the west, injuring three people due to flying glass, one of which was hospitalized due to their injuries, and causing severe damage to two apartment buildings. Automobiles were damaged by falling concrete blocks and various buildings and trailers were also damaged.cite web|author=Arizona State University|year=2008|title=Description of Known Tornadoes and Funnel Clouds in the Greater Phoenix Area: 1955-1990|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://geography.asu.edu/cerveny/wxpart4.htm] In total, the tornado was responsible for $50,000 to $500,000 in damages.cite web|author=Go Glendale AZ.com|year=2008|title=Weather Trivia: Tornadoes|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.goglendaleaz.com/about/weather.html] It is unknown what link the hurricane had to this tornado.

Hurricane Pauline was the fifth hurricane to occur in the East Pacific in 1968 and the only named storm in that year to cause any deaths.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] When the Mexican Navy reported winds of Category 3 strength, Pauline became the second of three hurricanes that may have reached Category 3 status in the season. The other two were Liza and Rebecca.cite web|author=William J. Denney|year=1968|title=The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season of 1968|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://docs.lib.noaa.gov/rescue/mwr/097/mwr-097-03-0207.pdf] This was the second time a storm was named "Pauline" and the first time that an East Pacific storm named "Pauline" reached hurricane strength.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2006|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2006_epa.txt] The name was not retired after this storm and was used in both old names lists and the revised names lists until 1997cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=East Pacific Best Track Data: 1949-2006|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2006_epa.txt] , when Hurricane Pauline became the costliest East Pacific hurricane in history and was subsequently retired.cite web|author=Weather Underground|year=2008|title=Retired Atlantic Hurricane Names|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/retired.asp] The name that replaced Pauline in 2003 was the same name as Robert Emigh's wife who perished in the 1968 hurricane: Patricia.cite web|author=Associated Press|year=1968|title=Boat Listed as Lost With Family of 5|publisher=Independent|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://thehurricanearchive.com/Viewer.aspx?
] The name is set to be used next in 2009.cite web|author=National Hurricane Center|year=2008|title=Worldwide Tropical Cyclone Names|accessdate=2008-02-29|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml]

ee also

*List of Pacific hurricanes

References