Hurricane Hernan (2008)

Hurricane Hernan

Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Hernan near peak strength
Formed	August 6 2008
Dissipated	August 13 2008
Highest winds	1-minute sustained: 120 mph (195 km/h)
Lowest pressure	956 mbar (hPa); 28.23 inHg
Fatalities	None
Damage	None
Areas affected	Southern California and Mexico
Part of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Hernan was the ninth tropical depression, eighth named storm, fifth hurricane, and first major hurricane of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season.

Storm history

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale

Map key

Saffir–Simpson scale

  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown

Storm type

Tropical cyclone

Subtropical cyclone

Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

Late on July 31, a well defined area of low pressure developed into a tropical wave while located to the south-west of Mexico. The wave became less organized over the next two days as it slowly moved towards the north-northwest. On August 4, the wave became very disorganized and relocated to the south and east of it's previous location. Over the next few days, the wave became better organized and by August 6, the National Hurricane Center determined that the system had developed enough convection to be declared Tropical Depression Nine-E while located 700 nmi (1,300 km) to the west of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Tropical Depression Nine-E was being influenced by a high presser area located over Mexico, causing it to move at a quick pace of 16 mph (26 km/h) to the north-west. The depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Hernan overnight as the storm became more organized. Although Hernan was located over warm waters, moderate wind shear prevented the storm from intensifying quickly as it continued towards the west-northwest at a slower pace.

Hernan slowly became better organized and at 2AM the next morning the NHC upgraded Hernan to a 50 mph Tropical Storm. Hernan quickly strengthened to a 65 mph Tropical Storm twelve hours later. It became a 75 mph hurricane on the morning of August 8. At 2 PM the NHC upgraded it to an 85 mph hurricane. Twelve hours later the NHC upgraded to a Category 2 Hurricane. Just an hour after that the NHC upgraded it to peak winds of 120 mph, which made it a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. It stayed at this intensity for 12 hours before weakening slightly at the very end of the day.Hernan was still a major hurricane untill 2 AM it became a Category 2.

Hernan kept on weakening, becoming to a Category 1 a few hours later due to an eyewall replacement cycle. However that morning they eywall replacement cycle was completed. Hernan changed little in strength because over the next few days. However, Hernan was still losing energy at some times causing the NHC to downgraded the winds from time to time. On August 12 Hernan was downgraded to a tropical storm due to cool waters of the Pacific. It continued to weaken and was downgraded to a Tropical Depression Hernan. Tropical Depression Hernan quickly weakened early August 13. Hernan degreated to a swirl of clouds that afternoon for the same reason, without moving in The CPHC area of Responsibility.

Impact

Hernan remained out over open waters for the duration of it's life. The only impact was slightly higher swells in Southern California and Mexico. No deaths or damage were reported. No one was hurt and there was no recuses. No ships reported winds above 38 mph.

Preparations

No coastal watches or warnings were issued.