1950 Pacific hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1950 Pacific hurricane season was notable for one of the storms being the wettest tropical cyclone in United States
history. Seven known tropical cyclones occurred during the season, the earliest of which formed on June 14 and the latest of which dissipated on October 3. These dates fall within the range of most Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone activity.
Although there were no conventional date limits of an Eastern Pacific hurricane season, tropical cyclone activity began almost a month after the dates of the season set in subsequent years, from May 15-November 30. The first tropical cyclone of the season formed mid-June, and two more developed in the month of July. No tropical cyclogenesis
occurred for 30 days, and ended with Hurricane Hiki developing on August 12, followed by a quick succession of two more tropical cyclones. No tropical cyclones developed in the Eastern Pacific basin in month of September, records show that this is the only known occurrence of such a meteorological oddity. The season ended after a hurricane developed on October 1 and dissipated two days later.
, Mexico
. Hurricane One headed north-northwestward toward the coast of Mexico, but veered away near Acapulco
on June 16. After veering away from Mexico, the hurricane began to parallel the coastline, until curving due north. On June 19, the hurricane passed within 20 mi (32.18 km) of Isla Maria Cleofas in the archipelago
of Islas Marías
offshore of Mexico. Hurricane One dissipated shortly thereafter.
on July 3. Similar to Hurricane One, this storm paralleled the coast of Mexico and then headed out to sea. Hurricane Two later headed northwestward, and paralleled Baja California
. The hurricane dissipated July 6 240 mi (386.24 km) north-northwest of Cabo San Lucas
.
on July 9. The hurricane passed within 70 mi (112.65 km) of Socorro Island on July 10. After passing near the island, the hurricane headed out into the open Pacific Ocean. Hurricane Three eventually dissipated on July 12.
The heaviest known rainfall from a tropical cyclone on the state of Hawaii occurred with Hiki, when over 52 in (1320 mm) fell at Kanalohuluhulu Ranger Station. Moderate damage was seen on Hawaii, and one person died.
later that day.
on August 26. The hurricane headed generally north-northwestward with no change in intensity. By August 29, Hurricane Six crossed 140°W
, which would become the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
's forecast area in 1970. Hurricane six dissipated 788 mi (1268.16 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii on August 30.
, Mexico. Hurricane Seven initially headed northward, but curved northwestward later that day. No change in intensity occurred, and Hurricane Seven dissipated on October 3 142 mi (228.52 km) southwest of Socorro Island.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
history. Seven known tropical cyclones occurred during the season, the earliest of which formed on June 14 and the latest of which dissipated on October 3. These dates fall within the range of most Eastern Pacific tropical cyclone activity.
Season summary
Only seven tropical cyclones were observed in the Eastern Pacific during this season, which is well below the 1995-2008 average of 15 per year. However, it is likely that other tropical cyclones in the Central or Eastern Pacific basin in 1950 went operationally unnoticed, due to small tropical cyclone size, sparse ship reports, relatively unpopulated coastlines, and lack of modern technology. Of the seven tropical cyclones, six attained hurricane status. None of the tropical cyclones became a major hurricane, which is Category 3 or greater on Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. In addition, a tropical cyclone developed within the Central Pacific basin. Similar to 1949, most of the seven tropical cyclones did not differentiate significantly in intensity during the duration, with the exception of Hurricane Hiki and Tropical Storm Five.Although there were no conventional date limits of an Eastern Pacific hurricane season, tropical cyclone activity began almost a month after the dates of the season set in subsequent years, from May 15-November 30. The first tropical cyclone of the season formed mid-June, and two more developed in the month of July. No tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis
Tropical cyclogenesis is the term that describes the development and strengthening of a tropical cyclone in the atmosphere. The mechanisms through which tropical cyclogenesis occurs are distinctly different from those through which mid-latitude cyclogenesis occurs...
occurred for 30 days, and ended with Hurricane Hiki developing on August 12, followed by a quick succession of two more tropical cyclones. No tropical cyclones developed in the Eastern Pacific basin in month of September, records show that this is the only known occurrence of such a meteorological oddity. The season ended after a hurricane developed on October 1 and dissipated two days later.
Hurricane One
The first tropical cyclone of the season was initially noted on June 14 158 mi (254.27 km) southwest of Puerto ÁngelPuerto Ángel
Puerto Ángel is a small coastal town in the Mexican state of Oaxaca located in the municipality of San Pedro Pochutla. It, along with San Agustinillo and Playa Zipolite are known as the "Riviera Oaxaqueña. It is located 9 km south of city of Pochutla fifty km west of Huatulco and eighty km...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Hurricane One headed north-northwestward toward the coast of Mexico, but veered away near Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
on June 16. After veering away from Mexico, the hurricane began to parallel the coastline, until curving due north. On June 19, the hurricane passed within 20 mi (32.18 km) of Isla Maria Cleofas in the archipelago
Archipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
of Islas Marías
Islas Marías
The Islas Marías are an archipelago of four islands that belong to Mexico. They are located in the Pacific Ocean, some off the coast of the state of Nayarit. They are part of the municipality of San Blas, Nayarit...
offshore of Mexico. Hurricane One dissipated shortly thereafter.
Hurricane Two
The second tropical cyclone of the season developed 113 mi (182 km) southwest of Manzanillo, ColimaManzanillo, Colima
The name Manzanillo refers to the city as well as its surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Colima. The city, located on the Pacific Ocean, contains Mexico's busiest port. Manzanillo was the third port created by the Spanish in the Pacific during the New Spain period...
on July 3. Similar to Hurricane One, this storm paralleled the coast of Mexico and then headed out to sea. Hurricane Two later headed northwestward, and paralleled Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
. The hurricane dissipated July 6 240 mi (386.24 km) north-northwest of Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas , commonly called Cabo, is a city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,463 people...
.
Hurricane Three
Hurricane Three was first observed 270 mi (434.52 km) south-southeast of Socorro IslandSocorro Island
Socorro Island is a small volcanic island in the Revillagigedo Islands, a Mexican possession lying some 600 kilometers off the country's western coast at 18°48'N, 110°59'W. The size is 16.5 by 11.5 km, with an area of 132 km².- Geology :...
on July 9. The hurricane passed within 70 mi (112.65 km) of Socorro Island on July 10. After passing near the island, the hurricane headed out into the open Pacific Ocean. Hurricane Three eventually dissipated on July 12.
Hurricane Hiki
A tropical depression formed over the Central Pacific on August 12, southeast of Hawaii. It tracked west-northwestward, strengthening to become Tropical Storm Hiki the next day (Hawaiian for Able). Hiki reached hurricane strength while a short distance north of the islands. A small hurricane, it paralleled the islands until August 17, when a high pressure system forced the storm southwestward. As the high receded, Hiki moved to the northwest and dissipated on August 21.The heaviest known rainfall from a tropical cyclone on the state of Hawaii occurred with Hiki, when over 52 in (1320 mm) fell at Kanalohuluhulu Ranger Station. Moderate damage was seen on Hawaii, and one person died.
Tropical Storm Four
The only tropical cyclone that failed to intensify into a hurricane developed on August 12 394 mi (634 km) south-southwest of Socorro Island. By early on August 13, the system had weakened, and was downgraded to a tropical depression only twelve hours after forming. The storm dissipated 707 mi (1137.80 km) south of Guadalupe IslandGuadalupe Island
Guadalupe Island, or Isla Guadalupe is a volcanic island located 241 kilometers off the west coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and some 400 kilometers southwest of the city of Ensenada in Baja California state, in the Pacific Ocean...
later that day.
Hurricane Six
Hurricane Six was first observed 1590 mi (2556.85 km) south-southeast of Ka LaeKa Lae
Ka Lae , also known as South Point, is the southernmost point of the Big Island of Hawaii and of the 50 United States. The Ka Lae area is registered as a National Historic Landmark District under the name South Point Complex...
on August 26. The hurricane headed generally north-northwestward with no change in intensity. By August 29, Hurricane Six crossed 140°W
140th meridian west
The meridian 140° west of Greenwich is a line of longitude that extends from the North Pole across the Arctic Ocean, North America, the Pacific Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and Antarctica to the South Pole....
, which would become the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
Central Pacific Hurricane Center
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center of the United States National Weather Service is the official body responsible for tracking and issuing tropical cyclone warnings, watches, advisories, discussions, and statements for the Central North Pacific Basin...
's forecast area in 1970. Hurricane six dissipated 788 mi (1268.16 km) east of Hilo, Hawaii on August 30.
Hurricane Seven
The final tropical cyclone of the season was initially discovered 539 mi (867.43 km) southwest of ZihuatanejoZihuatanejo
Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, is the fourth-largest city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Politically the city belongs to the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta in the western part of Guerrero, but both are commonly referred to as Zihuatanejo...
, Mexico. Hurricane Seven initially headed northward, but curved northwestward later that day. No change in intensity occurred, and Hurricane Seven dissipated on October 3 142 mi (228.52 km) southwest of Socorro Island.
See also
- List of Pacific hurricanes
- 1950 Atlantic hurricane season1950 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1950 Atlantic hurricane season was the first year in which tropical cyclones were given official names in the Atlantic basin. Names were taken from the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet, with the first named storm being designated "Able", the second "Baker", and so on. It was an active season...
- 1950 Pacific typhoon season
- Pre-1980 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasonsPre-1980 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasonsThe Pre-1970 Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons ran year-round from July 1 to June 30, reaching their peaks mid-February to early March.Pre-1970 1970–75 1975–80 1980–1985-Unnnamed tropical cyclone :The Banda Islands were hit in March...
- Pre-1980 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons