Hurricane Gilma (1994)
| 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, strengthing 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.[9] Finally, Gilma was the strongest hurricane of its season.[7] Gilma's lowest pressure record might have been incomplete; the 920 milibar 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.
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 "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.
