2005 Pacific hurricane season
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The 2005 Pacific hurricane season officially began May 15, 2005 in the eastern Pacific and June 1 2005 in the central Pacific, and will last 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 into Honduras as a Category 1 hurricane. Since then, five further hurricanes and nine other tropical storms have formed, with Dora the only one being of any significant threat to land.
The scope of this article is confined to those storms monitored by the U.S. National Hurricane Center, which monitors all tropical cyclones in the Pacific Ocean in the northern hemisphere east of 140 degrees west longitude (140° W), and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Hawaii, which monitors tropical cyclones from 180° W (the international date line) to 140W. Tropical depressions that form east of 140° W have "-E" (Eastern) appended to the number, storms that form west of 140° W have "-C" (Central) appended. Storms that form west of the dateline are called typhoons and beyond the scope of this article, unless they move east across it.
Pre-season forecasts
The 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 predicts 11 to 15 tropical storms, 6 to 8 hurricanes, and 2 to 4 becoming 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]
Storms
Hurricane Adrian
- Main article: Hurricane Adrian
An early storm, Adrian formed on May 17, only two days after the season began. It strengthened from a tropical depression about 440 miles (710 km) southwest of Guatemala and El Salvador and began tracking northeast towards San Salvador, and reached hurricane strength on the morning of May 19. It turned east and made landfall in Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca late on May 19, after weakening offshore to tropical depression strength. It weakened rapidly once onshore, dissipating over the mountains of Honduras. Three indirect deaths are linked to the storm, but according to the NHC's May Summary [3], released June 1, no direct deaths had been reported. Damage figures are not yet available.
The north-easterly track of this storm was extremely unusual. Only four tropical systems had been recorded to have made landfall in Guatemala or El Salvador since 1966. The only named system ever to do so was Tropical Storm Andres on June 7, 1997, near San Salvador as a tropical depression. The storm was also somewhat rare in how early it was; hurricanes form in May only once about every four years.
Tropical Storm Beatriz
The first tropical storm to form in the Eastern Pacific in June since Carlos in 2003, Beatriz formed just off the coast of Mexico 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, Mexico, having never threatened land.
Tropical Storm Calvin
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.
Tropical Storm Dora
An active early season continued with Tropical Depression Four-E forming on July 3 from a tropical wave south of Acapulco, Mexico. 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 Mexican 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.
Tropical Storm Eugene
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.
Tropical Depression One-C
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 has 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.
Hurricane Fernanda
Tropical Depression Six-E formed from an area of disturbed weather some 690 miles (1100 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur, Mexico 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 1650 miles southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
Tropical Storm Greg
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.
Hurricane Hilary
Tropical Depression Eight-E formed from an area of disturbed weather south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec 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 off-shore, it reached category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale late on August 21. Tropical storm strength 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.
Tropical Storm Irwin
Tropical Depression Nine-E formed in the Eastern Pacific southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico on August 25, and 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 shearing winds, soon weakened and dissipated on August 28.
Hurricane Jova
After two weeks of calm, Tropical Depression Ten-E formed late on September 11 well south-southwest of Baja California 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 over two 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.
Hurricane Kenneth
An area of disturbed weather developed into Tropical Depression Eleven-E on September 14. Again, the depression was well south-southwest of Baja California when it formed just 600 miles 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 yet to form this season in the Eastern Pacific when Kenneth peaked with sustained winds of 135 mph, 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 east of Hawai‘i.
Current
As of 11 pm HST September 29 (0900 UTC September 30), the center of Tropical Depression Kenneth was about 160 miles (257 km) east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii. It was moving west at 13 mph (21 km/h) with maximum sustained windspeeds of 48 mph (77 km/h). Kenneth is experiencing increasing shear and is expected to dissipate within 24 hours. No tropical cyclone has made landfall on Hawai‘i since Tropical Depression Eugene in the 1993 season.
A residual trough is forecast to pass over the Hawaiian islands bringing heavy rain. The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood watch for all of the Hawaiian Islands from Friday through Saturday.
- For official forecasts, see the CPHC's latest Public Advisory on Tropical Storm Kenneth
- NHC's archive on Tropical Storm Kenneth
Tropical Storm Lidia
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 sucession to form well SSW of Baja California, and did so less than 800 miles 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.
Hurricane Max
Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed 500 miles south-southeast of the tip of Baja California 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 merger 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.
Tropical Storm Norma
Tropical Depression Fourteen-E formed 400 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico on September 22, barely twenty-four hours after the Joint Typhoon Warning Center 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 am PDT (0900 UTC) September 27.
Tropical Storm Otis
Tropical Depression Fifteen-E formed 130 nautical miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico on September 28, about twelve hours after the Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued a tropical cyclone formation warning. 24 hours later it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Otis.
Current
As of 8 pm PDT September 29 (0300 UTC September 30), the center of Tropical Storm Otis was about 170 miles (275 km) south of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. It was moving northwest at 13 mph (20 km/h) with sustained wind speeds of 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otis is predicted to continue strengthening, becoming a hurricane for a while until it reaches cooler waters. There is a strong likelihood it will approach central Baja California as a tropical storm, and interests near both coasts of the southern Baja California peninsula are advised to monitor the progress of Otis over the next few days.
- For official forecasts, see the NHC's latest Public Advisory on Tropical Storm Otis
A tropical storm warning and hurricane watch are in effect for the Baja California peninsula, from Santa Fe on the west, southward to the tip, and back northward to La Paz.
Timeline of events
May
- May 19
-
- 10:15 am PDT (1715 UTC) - Tropical Storm Adrian strengthens into Hurricane Adrian.
- 11 pm PDT (0600 UTC May 20) - Adrian weakens to a tropical depression and makes landfall on the Gulf of Fonseca coast, Honduras.
June
- June 22
-
- 8 am PDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Two-E is upgraded to Tropical Storm Beatriz.
- June 24
-
- 8 am PDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Beatriz dissipates.
- June 28
-
- 8 pm PDT (0300 UTC June 29) - Tropical Depression Calvin dissipates as it turns westward away from Mexico.
July
- July 4
-
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Four-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Dora.
- July 7
-
- 2 pm PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Dora dissipates in the open sea.
- July 18
-
- 11 pm PDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Eugene forms from a tropical disturbance 230 miles (370 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.
- July 20
-
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eugene dissipates several hundred miles west-southwest of Cabo San Lucas.
August
- August 3
-
- 11 am HST (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression One-C forms in the Central Pacific about 1000 miles (1600 km) southeast of Hilo, Hawaii.
- August 9
-
- 8 am PDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Six-E forms 690 miles (1100 km) south-southwest of Cabo San Lucas.
- 8 pm PDT (0300 UTC August 10) - Tropical Depression Six-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Fernanda.
- August 11
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Fernanda strengthens into Hurricane Fernanda.
- 4 am PDT (1100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Seven-E forms 670 miles (1100 km) south of the southern tip of Baja California.
- 8 am PDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Seven-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Greg.
- August 14
-
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Greg dissipates in the open sea.
- August 15
-
- 8 pm PDT (0300 UTC August 16) - Tropical Depression Fernanda degenerates to a remnant low.
- August 25
-
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Hilary dissipates in the open Pacific.
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Nine-E forms 150 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.
- August 26
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Nine-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Irwin.
- August 28
-
- 8 am PDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Irwin dissipates in the open Pacific.
September
- September 11
-
- 8 pm PDT (0200 UTC September 12) - Tropical Depression Ten-E forms 630 miles south-southwest of the tip of Baja California.
- September 14
-
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eleven-E forms 910 miles southwest of the tip of Baja California.
- 8 pm PDT (0300 UTC September 15) - Tropical Depression Ten-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Jova.
- September 15
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Eleven-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Kenneth.
- 8 pm PDT (0300 UTC September 16) - Tropical Storm Kenneth strengthens into Hurricane Kenneth.
- September 16
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Storm Jova strengthens into Hurricane Jova.
- September 17
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Hurricane Jova reaches Category 2 intensity.
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Hurricane Kenneth reaches Category 3 intensity.
- 8 am PDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twelve-E forms 790 miles south-southeast of the tip of Baja California.
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Twelve-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Lidia.
- September 18
-
- 8 am PDT (1500 UTC) - Hurricane Kenneth reaches Category 4 intensity.
- 9:30 am PDT (1630 UTC) - Tropical Depression Thirteen-E forms 500 miles south-southeast of the tip of Baja California.
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Depression Thirteen-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Max.
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Tropical Storm Lidia weakens to a tropical depression and is absorbed by Tropical Storm Max.
- September 19
-
- 2 pm PDT (2100 UTC) - Hurricane Jova reaches Category 3 intensity.
- 8 pm PDT (0300 UTC September 20) - Tropical Storm Max strengthens into Hurricane Max.
- September 22
-
- 8 am PDT (1500 UTC) - Tropical Storm Max loses tropical characteristics.
- 10 pm PDT (0500 UTC September 23) - Tropical Depression Fourteen-E forms 400 miles (640 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.
- September 23
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Fourteen-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Norma.
- September 24
-
- 8 pm PDT (0300 UTC September 25) - Tropical Storm Kenneth restrengthens into Hurricane Kenneth.
- 5 pm HST (0300 UTC September 25) - Tropical Depression Jova dissipates in open water 270 miles northeast of Honolulu.
- September 25
-
- 11.45 pm PDT (8.45 pm HST, 0645 UTC September 26) - Hurricane Kenneth crosses over 140W to enter the Central Pacific basin.
- September 27
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Norma loses tropical characteristics.
- September 28
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Fifteen-E forms 130 nautical miles south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.
- September 29
-
- 2 am PDT (0900 UTC) - Tropical Depression Fifteen-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Otis.
2005 storm names
The following names will be used for named storms that form in the northeast Pacific in 2005. This is the same list that was used in the 1999 season. Names that have not yet been assigned are marked in gray. Storms that form in the central Pacific are given names from a sequential list; if any are used, they will be mentioned separately. Bold names are currently active.
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Names in the central Pacific are used in order, with no annual list; no names have been used so far this year, and the next name on the list is Ioke.