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2005 Pacific hurricane season
Season summary map |
| First storm formed: |
May 17, 2005 |
| Last storm dissipated: |
October 20, 2005 |
| Strongest storm: |
Kenneth – 947 mbar (hPa) (27.98 inHg), 135 mph (215 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| Total depressions: |
17 |
| Total storms: |
15 |
| Hurricanes: |
7 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+): |
2 |
| Total fatalities: |
1 direct, 3 indirect |
| Total damage: |
Unknown |
Pacific hurricane seasons
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 |
|
The 2005 Pacific hurricane season officially began on May 15, 2005 in the eastern Pacific and on June 1, 2005 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 2005. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The season got off to a quick start, with the tropical depression that would become Hurricane Adrian forming just two days into the season on May 17. It took a very rare track skirting El Salvador as a Category 1 hurricane then striking Honduras as a tropical depression. Between June and September, Dora was the only storm that posed a significant threat to land as it skirted the Mexican coast, and Kenneth came close to Hawaii as a dissipating tropical depression. Hurricane Otis appeared to be heading for an encounter with the Baja California peninsula, but turned north-northwest, paralleling the coast, before dissipating.
This unusual mosiac of storms shows, from left to right, Hurricane Jova, Hurricane Kenneth, and Tropical Storm Max. Also shown on the far right is an intensifying tropical disturbance which later developed into Tropical Storm Norma.
[edit] Pre-season forecasts
Predictions of tropical activity in the 2005 season
| Source |
Date |
Named
storms |
Hurricanes |
Major
hurricanes |
| Eastern |
Average |
15.3 |
8.8 |
4.2 |
| Eastern |
16 May, 2005 |
11 – 15 |
6 – 8 |
2 – 4 |
| Eastern |
Actual activity |
15 |
7 |
2 |
| Central |
Average |
4 – 5 |
1 |
- |
| Central |
May 16, 2003 |
2 – 3 |
- |
- |
| Central |
Actual activity |
2 |
2 |
1 |
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted a slow year, with only a 10% chance of above-average storm activity in the eastern North Pacific and a 70% chance of below-normal activity. The pre-season forecast predicted 11 to 15 tropical storms, 6 to 8 hurricanes, and 2 to 4 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale).[1]
The forecast for the central North Pacific was for a below-average season, with only two or three storms impacting the region, below the normal four to five.[2]
[edit] Storms
[edit] Hurricane Adrian
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
May 17 – May 21 |
| Intensity |
80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min), 982 mbar (hPa) |
Hurricane Adrian was an early season hurricane which took an unusual southwest to northeast track, bringing it closer to El Salvador than any other hurricane in the 57 years of known storms in the eastern Pacific basin. Adrian developed out of an area of disturbed weather on May 10 over Central America. A broad area of low pressure developed out of the disturbance while located 520 mi (835 km south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico on May 14. The low was nearly stationary as convection around it developed. A weak tropical wave crossed over Central America the next day and was absorbed into the broad low pressure system. This lead to further development of convection around the storm. The low gradually became better organized and was determined to have become a tropical depression on the afternoon of May 17. An unusually strong mid to upper-level trough was situated over southwestern Mexico, leading to the depression traveling towards the northeast, rather than the usual northwest movement. The depression quickly intensified into the first tropical storm of the season that night and was named Adrian. Adrian gradually intensified over the next two days as it continued towards the northeast. Moderate southwesterly wind shear prevented the storms' convective bands to remain with the system. This lead to the convection associated with the storm to contract as the storm intensified. On the afternoon of May 19, Adrian briefly intensified into a hurricane, with peak winds reaching 80 mph (130 km/h) while located 85 mi (135 km) southwest of the coast of El Salvador. Operationally, Adrian was assessed to have made landfall late that night as a minimal hurricane, but post season analysis showed that the persistent southwesterly wind shear and the proximity to the mountains of Central America caused Adrian to rapidly deteriorate as it approached land, and the storm never actually made landfall in El Salvador. The mid and low-level circulations of Adrian split, the mid-level circulation moved into El Salvador, but the low-level circulation continued moving towards the east-northeast. Adrian eventually made landfall as a tropical depression, near the Gulf of Fonseca in Honduras on the morning of May 20. The storm dissipated shortly after moving inland.
Since Adrian rapidly weakened before making landfall, there was minimal wind damage but heavy rainfall fell across much of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala leading to flooding. One fatality was attributed to Adrian; a person drowned in floodwaters in Nicaragua.
[edit] Tropical Storm Beatriz
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
June 21 – June 24 |
| Intensity |
50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min), 1000 mbar (hPa) |
The first tropical storm to form in the Eastern Pacific in June since Carlos in 2003, Beatriz formed 240 nautical miles (445 km or 280 statute miles) south of the Mexican port of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, on June 21, reaching tropical storm strength the next day, with windspeeds peaking at around 50 mph (80 km/h) on June 23. It slowly moved west and dissipated into a remnant low on the morning of June 24 about 290 miles (470 km) from Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, having never threatened land.
[edit] Tropical Storm Calvin
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
June 26 – June 29 |
| Intensity |
50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min), 1000 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Three-E formed just south of Mexico early on June 26, and reached tropical storm strength and was named Calvin late that day. Tropical storm watches were issued for the southern coast of Mexico around Acapulco as Calvin slowly moved westward, with windspeeds peaking at 50 mph (80 km/h) on June 27, but all watches were cancelled on the morning of June 28 as it moved away from the coast. Calvin weakened to a tropical depression later that day, and lost tropical characteristics that night.
[edit] Tropical Storm Dora
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
July 4 – July 6 |
| Intensity |
45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min), 1003 mbar (hPa) |
An active early season continued with Tropical Depression Four-E forming on July 3 from a tropical wave south of the Mexican port of Acapulco, Guerrero. Watches and warnings were issued as it neared the Mexican coast. On the afternoon of July 4, the depression strengthened into a tropical storm while located about 45 miles (75 km) west-southwest of Acapulco. It came within miles of the coast, moving somewhat parallel to it on July 4, dropping heavy rainfall on the region. As it moved away from the coast, all watches were cancelled as it dropped to a tropical depression midday on July 5, finally dissipating early on July 6.[3]
[edit] Tropical Storm Eugene
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
July 18 – July 20 |
| Intensity |
70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min), 989 mbar (hPa) |
Eugene formed from a tropical disturbance off the central Mexican coast on July 18 and headed northwest, one of the few cyclones to reach tropical storm-strength without being designated as a tropical depression. Initially, as with most Eastern Pacific storms, no public advisories or warnings were issued, since it was heading out to sea. However, on July 19 it came within range of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. Tropical storm watches were issued for the area around Cabo San Lucas for most of the day, but the storm moved away without affecting land.
[edit] Tropical Depression One-C
| Tropical depression (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 3 – August 4 |
| Intensity |
30 mph (45 km/h) (1-min), 1008 mbar (hPa) |
The first tropical system in the central Pacific formed east-southeast of Hawaii on August 3, a month later than the first (and only) central system to develop in 2004. It began a track due west, which could have put it within range of the island of Oahu, Hawaii, a few days later. It was initially forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm (one had not formed in the central Pacific since Huko in the 2002 season). However, the next day's models changed to indicate no further increase in strength. Shortly after that, convection bursts ceased and the system lost its closed circulation while still 725 miles (1200 km) from Hilo.
[edit] Hurricane Fernanda
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 9 – August 16 |
| Intensity |
85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min), 978 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Six-E formed from an area of disturbed weather some 690 miles (1100 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur on August 9. It was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fernanda late that day, and to Hurricane Fernanda on August 11, as it headed generally west-northwest into the open Pacific. On August 14 it dropped to tropical storm strength over cooler waters and on August 15 weakened to a tropical depression. It degenerated into a remnant low later in the day about 1,650 miles (2,660 km) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
[edit] Tropical Storm Greg
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 11 – August 15 |
| Intensity |
50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min), 1000 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Seven-E formed 670 miles (1100 km) south of Cabo San Lucas on August 11, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Greg a few hours later. Although only 750 miles (1200 km) from Hurricane Fernanda it showed no signs of being pushed northwards by interaction, but set off westwards to follow Fernanda into the Pacific. Greg was downgraded to tropical depression status on August 14 and remained stationary throughout the day. It began drifting slowly westward early on August 15 and was destroyed by shear later in the day.
[edit] Hurricane Hilary
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 19 – August 25 |
| Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), 970 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave that is asscociated with the formation of Hillary, moved off Western Africa on August 4. The wave initially had a large area of deep convention, but the convention quickly diminished as the system moved across the eastern portion of the tropical Atlantic Ocean. The wave continued westward without much development or organization, and crossed northern South America and then entered the northern Pacific Ocean on August 17. Mid-level circulation and convention organized with the wave, as it was south of Guatemala on August 18. The system's organization persisted, but without defining a well-established center of circulation, at the surface. Tropical Depression Eight-E finally formed from the area of disturbed weather south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, 140 miles (230 km) south of Puerto Angel, Mexico, on August 19. It strengthened to a tropical storm late that evening, and reached hurricane strength 24 hours later. Moving parallel to the Mexican coast and about 300 miles (480 km) off-shore, it reached Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale late on August 21. Tropical storm winds affected the coast and a tropical storm warning was issued for a while. Hilary dissipated not long after weakening to a tropical storm on August 25.
[edit] Tropical Storm Irwin
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
August 25 – August 28 |
| Intensity |
50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min), 1000 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Nine-E formed in the Eastern Pacific southwest of the Mexican port of Manzanillo, Colima on August 25, out of a remnant wave that split from Atlantic Tropical Depression Ten (the other part of the wave would eventually develop into Hurricane Katrina) that crossed Central America. The depression strengthened to Tropical Storm Irwin early the next day, reaching wind speeds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Although Irwin headed almost due west over warm water, it encountered shear, soon weakened and dissipated on August 28.
[edit] Hurricane Jova
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 12 – September 25 |
| Intensity |
125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min), 951 mbar (hPa) |
After two weeks of calm, Tropical Depression Ten-E formed late on September 11] well south-southwest of the Baja California Peninsula and headed almost due west. Late on September 14, the depression strengthened and was upgraded to tropical storm status. It strengthened further to hurricane status early on September 16. On September 18 it crossed meridian 140°W, becoming the first hurricane in about three years to be in the forecast area of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Jova soon strengthened to a major hurricane, the first one to exist in the Central Pacific since Ele in 2002. It weakened as it steered to the northeast of Hawai‘i, weakening to a tropical storm on September 22 and to a tropical depression on September 23 before finally dissipating on September 24.
[edit] Hurricane Kenneth
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 14 – September 30 |
| Intensity |
135 mph (215 km/h) (1-min), 947 mbar (hPa) |
An area of disturbed weather developed into Tropical Depression Eleven-E on September 14. Again, the depression was well south-southwest of the Baja California Peninsula when it formed just 600 miles (970 km) east of Depression Ten-E. It found more favorable conditions than its western neighbor, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Kenneth just 12 hours after forming. Kenneth strengthened into a hurricane later that day and continued to strengthen very rapidly, becoming the first major hurricane of the season by reaching Category 3 on September 17. The storm became the strongest storm to form this season in the Eastern Pacific when Kenneth peaked with sustained winds of 135 mph (217 km/h), Category 4 on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale. Kenneth began gradually weakening on September 19, and weakened to a tropical storm on September 20. However, Kenneth gained enough strength to be reclassified as a Category 1 hurricane on September 24, and very late on September 25 it crossed 140°W, making it the second hurricane of the season to enter the Central Pacific. It then dropped back again to a tropical storm, and weakened to a tropical depression on September 29 less than 400 miles (640 km) east of Hawai‘i. It came within 50 miles (80 km) of the Big Island of Hawaii before degenerating into an open wave. No tropical cyclone has made landfall on Hawai‘i since Tropical Depression Eugene in the 1993 season. 6-12 inches of rain was reported on portions of Hawaii.[4]
[edit] Tropical Storm Lidia
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 17 – September 19 |
| Intensity |
40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min), 1005 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave, which moved off the African coast at the end of August showed some hints of development while crossing the Atlantic but never developed a tropical circulation there. After crossing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec into the Pacific it acquired better organisation, and became Tropical Depression Twelve-E on September 17. It was the third depression in quick succession to form well SSW of the Baja California Peninsula, and did so less than 800 miles (1,300 km) east of Hurricane Kenneth. It strengthened to Tropical Storm Lidia later the same day, but the next day was pushed off its course and weakened by the new and larger Tropical Depression Thirteen-E, which became Tropical Storm Max. On September 18, Lidia was completely absorbed by the circulation of Max.
[edit] Hurricane Max
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 18 – September 22 |
| Intensity |
85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min), 981 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed 500 miles (800 km) south-southeast of the tip of the Baja California Peninsula on September 18. It was sufficiently close to Lidia that it blew the earlier, weaker storm rapidly to the north. It strengthened to Tropical Storm Max within a few hours, and absorbed the remnants of Tropical Depression Lidia. On late September 19 the tropical storm was upgraded to Hurricane Max. The system began to weaken almost immediately thereafter, however, and Max dissipated in the early morning hours of September 22.
The merging of two tropical cyclones or the absorption of one tropical cyclone by another are uncommon events in the National Hurricane Center's area of responsibility. The last documented case of such an occurrence in the eastern North Pacific was when Hurricane Gil absorbed Tropical Storm Henriette in September 2001.
[edit] Tropical Storm Norma
| Tropical storm (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 23 – September 27 |
| Intensity |
60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min), 997 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Fourteen-E formed 400 miles (640 km) southwest of the Mexican port of Manzanillo, Colima, on September 22, barely twenty-four hours after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had initiated a warning noting that "formation of a tropical cyclone is possible." Four hours later Tropical Depression Fourteen-E had strengthened into Tropical Storm Norma. It was never a threat to land, and the NHC ceased advisories with the final advisory at 2 a.m. PDT (0900 UTC) September 27.
[edit] Hurricane Otis
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
September 28 – October 3 |
| Intensity |
105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min), 970 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Fifteen-E formed 130 nautical miles (240 km) south-southwest of the Mexican port of Manzanillo, Colima, on September 28 out of an Atlantic wave that crossed into the Pacific (split off from what would become Hurricane Philippe in the Atlantic). Twenty four hours later it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Otis. Early on September 30 it was upgraded to a hurricane, and it reached Category 2 on October 1 with 105 mph (170 km/h) winds before weakening again as it drifted very slowly northwards. On October 2 it took a north-northwesterly turn, moving away from the Baja California peninsula, and instead paralleling the coast, before being downgraded to a depression. The NHC ceased advisories on Otis at 21:00 UTC the next day.
Although the center of Otis remained offshore, tropical storm-force winds were reported at higher elevations over portions of southern Baja California. At Cabo San Lucas, an automated weather station recorded a wind gust to 63 miles per hour (101 km/h) on September 30, with sustained winds of 49 miles per hour (79 km/h).[5] There, periods of heavy rainfall mixed with fair skies as the storm passed.[6] No damages or fatalities were reported, although some media reports indicated that the storm caused flooding in parts of the southern Baja California peninsula. Offshore, two ships reported tropical-storm-force winds in association with the storm: the Volendam on October 3, and the Star Harmonia on October 1.[5] As the damage was not severe, the name "Otis" was not retired, and remains on the list of names to be used during the 2011 season. The name was previously used in 1981 and 1987.
[edit] Tropical Depression Sixteen-E
| Tropical depression (SSHS) |
|
|
| Duration |
October 15 – October 20 |
| Intensity |
35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min), 1005 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Depression Sixteen-E formed about 400 nautical miles (740 km) south of the Mexican port of Acapulco, Guerrero, late on October 14. Although initial forecasts expected it to strengthen, the depression never gained enough organisation to become a tropical storm and instead appeared to dissipate. Advisories were discontinued on October 18, but resumed on October 19 when the remnant low pressure area regenerated deep convection. The system still struggled to develop, apparently due to the entrainment of relatively dry air inhibiting sustained convection. The second final advisory was issued at 2 p.m. PDT (2100 UTC) October 20. The remnant was absorbed into the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) the next day.
[edit] Storm names
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the northeast Pacific in 2005. This is the same list that was used in the 1999 season. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray. There were no names retired by the WMO in the spring of 2006; therefore, the same list will be reused in the 2011 season.
- Adrian
- Beatriz
- Calvin
- Dora
- Eugene
- Fernanda
- Greg
- Hilary
|
- Irwin
- Jova
- Kenneth
- Lidia
- Max
- Norma
- Otis
-
Pilar (unused)
|
-
Ramon (unused)
-
Selma (unused)
-
Todd (unused)
-
Veronica (unused)
-
Wiley (unused)
-
Xina (unused)
-
York (unused)
-
Zelda (unused)
|
No central Pacific names were used; the first name used would have been Ioke.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
|
Tropical cyclones of the 2005 Pacific hurricane season
|
|
