Hurricane Gilma (1994): Difference between revisions
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Gilma's central pressure of {{convert|920|mb|hPa}} is the sixth lowest ever recorded in a [[Pacific hurricane]] and the lowest ever in July.<ref name="Best track">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt|title=Eastern North Pacific Tracks File 1949-2006|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|date=2008-03-21|format=plain text|accessdate=2008-08-18}}</ref> Its one minute average sustained windspeed of {{convert|140|kn|km/h}} is part of the three way tie for second highest ever in the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]]'s [[area of responsibility]].<ref name="CPHC index">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-08-18|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/|title=Previous Tropical Systems in the Central Pacific|publisher=[[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]]}}</ref> Gilma is also the fifth known Pacific hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity on record and the second of a record three such cyclones in the [[1994 Pacific hurricane season]] (since equaled by the [[2002 Pacific hurricane season|2002 season]]).<ref name="Best track"/> Gilma was also the fourth tropical cyclone to cross into the Central Pacific that July; the only season with more is [[1978 Pacific hurricane season|1978]], with 5.<ref name="last advisory">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1994/gilma/tropdisc/tcd3103z.gif|format=GIF|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|title=Tropical Depression Gilma Discussion Number 40|author=Hablutzel|date=1994-07-30|accessdate=2008-08-18|format=GIF}}</ref> Finally, Gilma was the strongest hurricane of its season.<ref name="Best track"/> Gilma's lowest pressure record might have been incomplete; the 920 millibar reading of pressure was measured at the first report as a category 5 hurricane, which is typical of a storm of that strength; the second report did not give a pressure. |
Gilma's central pressure of {{convert|920|mb|hPa}} is the sixth lowest ever recorded in a [[Pacific hurricane]] and the lowest ever in July.<ref name="Best track">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2007_epa.txt|title=Eastern North Pacific Tracks File 1949-2006|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|date=2008-03-21|format=plain text|accessdate=2008-08-18}}</ref> Its one minute average sustained windspeed of {{convert|140|kn|km/h}} is part of the three way tie for second highest ever in the [[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]]'s [[area of responsibility]].<ref name="CPHC index">{{cite web|accessdate=2008-08-18|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/summaries/|title=Previous Tropical Systems in the Central Pacific|publisher=[[Central Pacific Hurricane Center]]}}</ref> Gilma is also the fifth known Pacific hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity on record and the second of a record three such cyclones in the [[1994 Pacific hurricane season]] (since equaled by the [[2002 Pacific hurricane season|2002 season]]).<ref name="Best track"/> Gilma was also the fourth tropical cyclone to cross into the Central Pacific that July; the only season with more is [[1978 Pacific hurricane season|1978]], with 5.<ref name="last advisory">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/epacific/ep1994/gilma/tropdisc/tcd3103z.gif|format=GIF|publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|title=Tropical Depression Gilma Discussion Number 40|author=Hablutzel|date=1994-07-30|accessdate=2008-08-18|format=GIF}}</ref> Finally, Gilma was the strongest hurricane of its season.<ref name="Best track"/> Gilma's lowest pressure record might have been incomplete; the 920 millibar reading of pressure was measured at the first report as a category 5 hurricane, which is typical of a storm of that strength; the second report did not give a pressure. |
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Gilma's name was not retired after this season. It was used again in the [[2000 Pacific hurricane season|2000]] and [[2006 Pacific hurricane season|2006 seasons]],<ref name="Best track"/> and remains on the list for 2012.<ref name=WMO>{{cite web|format=PDF|url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/FactShtTCNames1July05.pdf|title=Fact Sheet Tropical Cyclone Names|page=4|date=2005-07-01|publisher=[[World Meteorological Organization]]|accessdate=2008-08-26}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 06:36, 27 August 2008
| Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
 Hurricane Gilma on July 25 near peak strength | |
| Formed | July 21, 1994 |
|---|---|
| Dissipated | July 31, 1994 |
| Highest winds | 1-minute sustained: 160 mph (260 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | ≤ 920 mbar (hPa); 27.17 inHg |
| Fatalities | None |
| Damage | None |
| Areas affected | Johnston Atoll |
| Part of the 1994 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Gilma of the 1994 Pacific hurricane season was one of the strongest Pacific hurricanes on record. Although it impacted no inhabited land, Gilma reached Category 5 intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Its minimum known pressure of 920 millibars makes it the strongest Pacific hurricane on record in the month of July and the sixth-strongest overall.
Storm history
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
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionGilma's genesis lies with a tropical wave which crossed the Atlantic Ocean and North America in the first half of July. Upon entering the Pacific, thunderstorms consolidated, and the wave organized into a tropical depression on July 21. It headed westward and out to sea, strengthening into a tropical storm on July 22, when it was named Gilma. Due to its rapid strengthening, Gilma became a hurricane exactly 24 hours after being named. In a very favorable environment, the cyclone attained winds of 130 knots (240 km/h) on July 24. Its intensification then slowed as it crossed 140°W and entered the area of responsibility of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.[1]
Shortly after entering the central Pacific, Gilma reached its peak windspeed of 140 knots (260 km/h), which made it a Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.[1] It then suddenly weakened for unexplained reasons, and weakened into a tropical storm on July 27. It became a depression on July 30 and dissipated the next day while south of Midway.[2]
Forecasting, impact and records
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Gilma's track was well-forecast due to the steady westward path it took for most of its life. By contrast, its intensity was often underforecast.[3] Although it was operationally forecast to become a Category 5 hurricane,[4] it was never at that intensity in real time.[5][6] The hurricane's only impact was on Johnston Atoll. That island received light rain, wind gusts to near gale force,[3] and some surf.[2] No one was killed and no damage was reported.[3]
Gilma's central pressure of 920 millibars (920 hPa) is the sixth lowest ever recorded in a Pacific hurricane and the lowest ever in July.[7] Its one minute average sustained windspeed of 140 knots (260 km/h) is part of the three way tie for second highest ever in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility.[8] Gilma is also the fifth known Pacific hurricane to reach Category 5 intensity on record and the second of a record three such cyclones in the 1994 Pacific hurricane season (since equaled by the 2002 season).[7] Gilma was also the fourth tropical cyclone to cross into the Central Pacific that July; the only season with more is 1978, with 5.[9] Finally, Gilma was the strongest hurricane of its season.[7] Gilma's lowest pressure record might have been incomplete; the 920 millibar reading of pressure was measured at the first report as a category 5 hurricane, which is typical of a storm of that strength; the second report did not give a pressure.
Gilma's name was not retired after this season. It was used again in the 2000 and 2006 seasons,[7] and remains on the list for 2012.[10]
References
- ^ a b Richard J. Pasch (1995-01-20). "Preliminary Report Hurricane Gilma" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ^ a b "The 1994 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season". Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
- ^ a b c Richard J. Pasch (1995-01-20). "Preliminary Report Hurricane Gilma" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. p. 2. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ Avila (1994-07-23). "Hurricane Gilma Discussion Number 12" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ Sasaki (1994-07-24). "Hurricane Gilma Marine Advisory Number 13" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ Rosendal (1994-07-24). "Hurricane Gilma Discussion Number 14" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ a b c d "Eastern North Pacific Tracks File 1949-2006" (plain text). National Hurricane Center. 2008-03-21. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ "Previous Tropical Systems in the Central Pacific". Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ Hablutzel (1994-07-30). "Tropical Depression Gilma Discussion Number 40" (GIF). National Hurricane Center. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ "Fact Sheet Tropical Cyclone Names" (PDF). World Meteorological Organization. 2005-07-01. p. 4. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
