1985 Pacific hurricane season
Encyclopedia
The 1985 Pacific hurricane season was an event in tropical cyclone
meteorology. It officially started on May 15, 1985 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1985 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1985. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
At the time, the 1985 season was the most active on record in the eastern north Pacific, with 25 tropical cyclones forming. Of those, 22 were named, 12 reaching hurricane intensity and 8 becoming major hurricanes by reaching Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale
. In addition, three additional systems formed in the central north Pacific, of which one became a hurricane and another became a typhoon before re-crossing the dateline
.
Despite the activity, there were few notable systems this year. The only cyclone to make landfall was Hurricane Waldo, which caused damage in Mexico. Elsewhere, surf from Hurricane Pauline caused damage in Hawaii and either Pauline or the following system sank a sailing vessel. Hurricane Nele caused disruption in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
, while Hurricane Ignacio caused scattered showers on Hawaii.
In the central north Pacific (140°W to the dateline
), three tropical cyclones formed. One of those stayed as a depression. Another strengthened into a hurricane, and the other one crossed into the northwestern Pacific before eventually returning to the central Pacific.
At the time, this season was the most active on record, breaking the short-lived record held by the 1983 season
. The 1992 season has surpassed this record, but this season remains the second-most active overall.
developed. It increased in size and, by June 5, was organized enough to be considered a tropical depression. It was upgraded to a tropical storm shortly after that. Andres headed roughly west, and, on June 7, reached its maximum intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) when it was south of the Baja California Peninsula
. It then slowly weakened as it moved around a weak upper-level high
. It weakened to a depression on June 8. It stayed a depression as it continued west until it dissipated on June 12 as the cyclone gradually increased in speed. No deaths or damages were reported.
The Monthly Weather Review
reports that Tropical Storm Andres operationally started out as a tropical depression. However, the HURDAT "Best Track" file does not give Andres an initial depression stage, implying that Andres was considered to have initially started as a tropical storm post-operationally.
before a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
(TUTT) recurved Skip to the northeast. It then recrossed the dateline as a rapidly transitioning tropical storm. Skip became extratropical on September 8 at hurricane strength.
started re-curving Waldo towards the Mexican coast. Just after peaking as a Category 2 hurricane, Waldo made landfall southwest of Culiacán
. Waldo rapidly dissipated over land. The storm caused moderate damage and one indirect death in Kansas
.
on October 20. The system passed well south of the state, developing into Tropical Depression Three-C on October 23. Although difficult to observe on satellite imagery, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
(CPHC) upgraded it to Tropical Storm Nele early on October 24. Continuing to intensify, the storm tracked northwestward, following a similar path to Hurricane Iwa
in 1982 and Hurricane Nina
in 1957, both late season storms. On October 25, Nele attained hurricane strength as it turned to the north. On October 26 it attained peak winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). It entered an area of weaker steering currents due to a nearby trough
. This caused concern for the CPHC, who noted that a continued path would result in the hurricane moving through the island chain. However, Nele turned to the northwest and instead moved through the Hawaiian Leeward Islands, passing about 100 mi (160.9 km) west of French Frigate Shoals
and very near Tern Island
. While Nele fluctuated in intensity, the storm accelerated towards the north, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone
by October 30. It was no longer a threat to shipping lanes the next day.
With fears of a repeat of Hurricane Iwa
, a hurricane watch
was issued for Hawaii
. Officials moved beach equipment away from the beach in preparation. About 24 hours after the hurricane watch was issued, it was dropped as Neli moved away, alongside the cancellation of a high surf advisory. The hurricane produced 10 ft (3 m) waves along south-facing beaches. Upon passing through the Leeward Islands, a weather station recorded winds of 34 mph (54.7 km/h) with gusts to 50 mph (80.5 km/h), along with a pressure of 1,000 millibars
. Many fishing boats spent a tough night at French Frigate Shoals
due to high waves and seas.
.
. The name "Dolores" was misspelled as "Delores" in 1991. This is the same list used for the 1979 season
, except for the added names. Storms were named Kevin, Linda, Marty, Nora, Olaf, Pauline, Rick, Sandra, Terry, Vivian, Waldo, and Xina for the first time in 1985. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.
Because of the level of activity, these names were added during the season:
One name from the Central Pacific list was used - Nele. It was the first usage for this name. One storm, Typhoon Skip, formed in the central Pacific but did not receive a name until it reached the west Pacific, therefore only Nele was used from the central Pacific list.
Later during the 80's, the added names were made a permanent part of the Eastern Pacific lists, and other names were added for even-numbered years.
Tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a large low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor...
meteorology. It officially started on May 15, 1985 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1985 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1985. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
At the time, the 1985 season was the most active on record in the eastern north Pacific, with 25 tropical cyclones forming. Of those, 22 were named, 12 reaching hurricane intensity and 8 becoming major hurricanes by reaching Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale , or the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale , classifies hurricanes — Western Hemisphere tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms — into five categories distinguished by the intensities of their sustained winds...
. In addition, three additional systems formed in the central north Pacific, of which one became a hurricane and another became a typhoon before re-crossing the dateline
Dateline
A dateline is a brief piece of text included in news articles that describes where and when the story occurred, or was written or filed, though the date is often omitted. In the case of articles reprinted from wire services, the distributing organization is also included...
.
Despite the activity, there were few notable systems this year. The only cyclone to make landfall was Hurricane Waldo, which caused damage in Mexico. Elsewhere, surf from Hurricane Pauline caused damage in Hawaii and either Pauline or the following system sank a sailing vessel. Hurricane Nele caused disruption in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands or the Leeward Islands are the small islands and atolls in the Hawaiian island chain located northwest of the islands of Kauai and Niihau. They are administered by the U.S. state of Hawaii except Midway Atoll, which has temporary residential facilities and is...
, while Hurricane Ignacio caused scattered showers on Hawaii.
Season summary
This year, 25 tropical cyclones formed in the eastern north Pacific (140°W to North America. Of those systems, three never strengthened beyond the depression stage, while 22 were named. Of the named systems, ten peaked as tropical storms, 12 as hurricanes, and 8 reached the intensity of major hurricanes by attaining Category 3 strength or higher on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale.In the central north Pacific (140°W to the dateline
Dateline
A dateline is a brief piece of text included in news articles that describes where and when the story occurred, or was written or filed, though the date is often omitted. In the case of articles reprinted from wire services, the distributing organization is also included...
), three tropical cyclones formed. One of those stayed as a depression. Another strengthened into a hurricane, and the other one crossed into the northwestern Pacific before eventually returning to the central Pacific.
At the time, this season was the most active on record, breaking the short-lived record held by the 1983 season
1983 Pacific hurricane season
The 1983 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 1983 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1983 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1983. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.This...
. The 1992 season has surpassed this record, but this season remains the second-most active overall.
Tropical Storm Andres
On June 1, an area of thunderstorms south of AcapulcoAcapulco
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...
developed. It increased in size and, by June 5, was organized enough to be considered a tropical depression. It was upgraded to a tropical storm shortly after that. Andres headed roughly west, and, on June 7, reached its maximum intensity of 70 mph (110 km/h) when it was south of the Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
. It then slowly weakened as it moved around a weak upper-level high
High pressure area
A high-pressure area is a region where the atmospheric pressure at the surface of the planet is greater than its surrounding environment. Winds within high-pressure areas flow outward due to the higher density air near their center and friction with land...
. It weakened to a depression on June 8. It stayed a depression as it continued west until it dissipated on June 12 as the cyclone gradually increased in speed. No deaths or damages were reported.
The Monthly Weather Review
Monthly Weather Review
The Monthly Weather Review is a scientific journal published by the American Meteorological Society.Topics covered by the journal include research related to analysis and prediction of observed and modeled circulations of the atmosphere, including technique development, data assimilation, model...
reports that Tropical Storm Andres operationally started out as a tropical depression. However, the HURDAT "Best Track" file does not give Andres an initial depression stage, implying that Andres was considered to have initially started as a tropical storm post-operationally.
Hurricane Blanca
A tropical depression formed on June 6 south of Mexico. It became a tropical storm shortly later, and became a hurricane by June 8, but Blanca did not intensify into a major hurricane until June 13. It held on to hurricane strength for a few more days before dissipating June 16. It did not affect any land.Tropical Storm Carlos
A tropical depression formed on June 7. It became Tropical Storm Carlos the next day. It steadily weakened until dissipating by June 10, never to affect land.Hurricane Dolores
On June 26, a tropical depression formed off of Mexico. It became a tropical storm the next day and a major hurricane two days later. Dolores steadily weakened after peaking and died on July 5 without ever affecting land.Tropical Storm Enrique
On June 27, a tropical depression formed. Shortly after, it became Tropical Storm Enrique. Enrique never strengthened beyond 40 mph (65 km/h) winds, and dissipated by July 5 without ever affecting land.Tropical Storm Fefa
A tropical depression formed on July 2. It soon became Tropical Storm Fefa. It strengthened into a 70 mph (110 km/h) storm, but never was a threat to land, and dissipated by July 6.Tropical Storm Guillermo
Guillermo formed on July 7. It reached a peak of 60 mph (95 km/h) shortly after, and dissipated five days later without affecting land.Tropical Storm Hilda
A tropical depression formed by July 18. It became Tropical Storm Hilda the next day, but it weakened shortly after, dissipating July 20 without affecting land.Hurricane Ignacio
A tropical depression formed on July 21 Southeast of Hawaii. It became Tropical Storm Ignacio later that day. Ignacio then rapidly intensified and peaked with 135 mph (215 km/h) winds on July 24. As fast as it strengthened, it weakened just as rapidly, dissipating by July 27. Its only impact was bringing light rainfall to Hawaii.Hurricane Jimena
Jiminea formed by July 20. It reached tropical storm strength two days later. It eventually peaked with 135 mph (215 km/h) winds, but it did not affect land, and dissipated by July 29.Tropical Storm Kevin
Kevin formed on July 29 as a tropical depression. It became a tropical storm shortly afterwards. Kevin peaked at 65 mph (100 km/h) before wind shear killed it by August 6. It had no effects on land.Tropical Storm Linda
Linda formed on July 29 from a depression. It became Tropical Storm Linda shortly later. It moved south of Hawaii, but did not affect the islands. It dissipated by August 9.Hurricane Marty
Marty was a weak hurricane that formed by August 6 and dissipated one week later. Marty had no effects on any land.Tropical Storm Nora
Nora formed on August 19. It became a tropical storm by August 20, but hostile conditions caused it to dissipate by August 23, never to affect any land.Tropical Depression One-C
This depression developed from a disturbance embedded in the trade wind flow south of the Hawaiian Islands.Hurricane Olaf
Olaf formed on August 22. It was named the next day and soon became a hurricane. It headed west slowly, but hostile conditions caused it to dissipate by August 31, without ever affecting any land.Hurricane Pauline
Hurricane Pauline caused heavy surf along the Big Island, which washed debris up onto roads. There was no damage reported. It threatened the islands enough to prompt a hurricane watch being issued, but the hurricane turned away.Tropical storm Skip
Tropical Depression Two-C formed August 30 and crossed the International dateline the next day. It strengthened into Typhoon Skip after crossing the line. It briefly threatened Wake IslandWake Island
Wake Island is a coral atoll having a coastline of in the North Pacific Ocean, located about two-thirds of the way from Honolulu west to Guam east. It is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior...
before a Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
Tropical Upper Tropospheric Trough
A tropical upper tropospheric trough , also known as the mid-oceanic trough, is a trough situated in upper-level tropics. Its formation is usually caused by the intrusion of energy and wind from the mid-latitudes into the tropics. It can also develop from the inverted trough adjacent to an upper...
(TUTT) recurved Skip to the northeast. It then recrossed the dateline as a rapidly transitioning tropical storm. Skip became extratropical on September 8 at hurricane strength.
Hurricane Rick
Rick was the strongest storm of the season, and at the time had the second strongest winds recorded in a tropical cyclone in the Central Pacific. It may also have contributed to a sailing vessel being overdue.Hurricane Sandra
Sandra formed by September 5. It became a named storm by the next day, and soon afterwards became a hurricane. It became a major hurricane, and afterwards took a somewhat erratic track before dissipating on September 17 without ever affecting land.Hurricane Terry
Terry was a powerful major hurricane that formed by September 15. It became a major hurricane fours days later on September 19, but it did not affect land while doing so. It eventually dissipated due to hostile conditions on September 24, without ever impacting land.Tropical Storm Vivian
Vivian formed on September 18. It became a named storm soon afterwards, but never exceeded having 40 mph (65 km/h) winds. Vivian dissipated on September 21, without ever impacting any land.Tropical Depression Twenty-Two-E
This depression developed but never really separated from the ITCZ.Hurricane Waldo
Tropical Depression Twenty Three-E formed from a disturbance on October 7. In a favorable environment over warm waters, It rapidly intensified, reaching Tropical Storm intensity the same day it formed. A troughTrough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
started re-curving Waldo towards the Mexican coast. Just after peaking as a Category 2 hurricane, Waldo made landfall southwest of Culiacán
Culiacán
Culiacán is a city in northwestern Mexico, the largest city in the state of Sinaloa as well as its capital and capital of the municipality of Culiacán. With 675,773 inhabitants in the city , and 858,638 in the municipality, it is the largest city in the state of Sinaloa...
. Waldo rapidly dissipated over land. The storm caused moderate damage and one indirect death in Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
.
Hurricane Nele
The origins of Nele were from a tropical disturbance to the south-southeast of HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
on October 20. The system passed well south of the state, developing into Tropical Depression Three-C on October 23. Although difficult to observe on satellite imagery, 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...
(CPHC) upgraded it to Tropical Storm Nele early on October 24. Continuing to intensify, the storm tracked northwestward, following a similar path to Hurricane Iwa
Hurricane Iwa
Hurricane Iwa, taken from the Hawaiian language name for the frigatebird , was at the time the costliest hurricane to affect the state of Hawaii. Iwa was the twenty-third tropical storm and the twelfth and final hurricane of the 1982 Pacific hurricane season. It developed from an active trough of...
in 1982 and Hurricane Nina
Hurricane Nina (1957)
Hurricane Nina was the final tropical storm and hurricane of the 1957 Pacific hurricane season and the last storm to form during the active Central Pacific hurricane season this year. This storm was named "Nina" because during this time, hurricanes in this basin were given names from the typhoon...
in 1957, both late season storms. On October 25, Nele attained hurricane strength as it turned to the north. On October 26 it attained peak winds of 90 mph (150 km/h). It entered an area of weaker steering currents due to a nearby trough
Trough (meteorology)
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure, often associated with fronts.Unlike fronts, there is not a universal symbol for a trough on a weather chart. The weather charts in some countries or regions mark troughs by a line. In the United States, a trough may be marked...
. This caused concern for the CPHC, who noted that a continued path would result in the hurricane moving through the island chain. However, Nele turned to the northwest and instead moved through the Hawaiian Leeward Islands, passing about 100 mi (160.9 km) west of French Frigate Shoals
French Frigate Shoals
The French Frigate Shoals is the largest atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Its name commemorates French explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse, who nearly lost two frigates when attempting to navigate the shoals...
and very near Tern Island
Tern Island
Tern Island can also refer to:* Tern Island , the main island in the atoll of French Frigate Shoals, in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands* Tern Island , Canada* Tern Island , Australia* Tern Island, South Georgia...
. While Nele fluctuated in intensity, the storm accelerated towards the north, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclone
Extratropical cyclones, sometimes called mid-latitude cyclones or wave cyclones, are a group of cyclones defined as synoptic scale low pressure weather systems that occur in the middle latitudes of the Earth having neither tropical nor polar characteristics, and are connected with fronts and...
by October 30. It was no longer a threat to shipping lanes the next day.
With fears of a repeat of Hurricane Iwa
Hurricane Iwa
Hurricane Iwa, taken from the Hawaiian language name for the frigatebird , was at the time the costliest hurricane to affect the state of Hawaii. Iwa was the twenty-third tropical storm and the twelfth and final hurricane of the 1982 Pacific hurricane season. It developed from an active trough of...
, a hurricane watch
Tropical cyclone warnings and watches
Warnings and watches are two levels of alert issued by national weather forecasting bodies to coastal areas threatened by the imminent approach of a tropical cyclone of tropical storm or hurricane intensity. They are notices to the local population and civil authorities to make appropriate...
was issued for Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. Officials moved beach equipment away from the beach in preparation. About 24 hours after the hurricane watch was issued, it was dropped as Neli moved away, alongside the cancellation of a high surf advisory. The hurricane produced 10 ft (3 m) waves along south-facing beaches. Upon passing through the Leeward Islands, a weather station recorded winds of 34 mph (54.7 km/h) with gusts to 50 mph (80.5 km/h), along with a pressure of 1,000 millibars
Bar (unit)
The bar is a unit of pressure equal to 100 kilopascals, and roughly equal to the atmospheric pressure on Earth at sea level. Other units derived from the bar are the megabar , kilobar , decibar , centibar , and millibar...
. Many fishing boats spent a tough night at French Frigate Shoals
French Frigate Shoals
The French Frigate Shoals is the largest atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Its name commemorates French explorer Jean-François de La Pérouse, who nearly lost two frigates when attempting to navigate the shoals...
due to high waves and seas.
Hurricane Xina
The first recorded twenty-second storm of a season formed October 25. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Xina early October 27. Xina began to start tracing out a huge oblong loop beneath an anticyclone. Xina peaked as a minimal major hurricane on October 29. As it finished the loop and left the cover of the anticyclone, Xina started falling apart. Cool waters took their toll on the cyclone, and Xina dissipated on November 5. Xina stayed at sea, and no casualties or damages were reported.Tropical Depression Twenty-Five-E
This depression developed near the southwest tip of Baja CaliforniaBaja 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...
.
1985 storm names
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the eastern Pacific in 1985. No names were retired, so it was used again in the 1991 season1991 Pacific hurricane season
The 1991 Pacific hurricane season was an event in tropical cyclone meteorology. The worst storm this year was Tropical Depression Five-E, which killed one person in Mexico. Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Ignacio injured forty people in Mexico, and Hurricane Fefa caused flooding in Hawaii...
. The name "Dolores" was misspelled as "Delores" in 1991. This is the same list used for the 1979 season
1979 Pacific hurricane season
The 1979 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 1979 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1979 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1979. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeast Pacific Ocean.With ten...
, except for the added names. Storms were named Kevin, Linda, Marty, Nora, Olaf, Pauline, Rick, Sandra, Terry, Vivian, Waldo, and Xina for the first time in 1985. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.
|
|
|
Because of the level of activity, these names were added during the season:
|
One name from the Central Pacific list was used - Nele. It was the first usage for this name. One storm, Typhoon Skip, formed in the central Pacific but did not receive a name until it reached the west Pacific, therefore only Nele was used from the central Pacific list.
Later during the 80's, the added names were made a permanent part of the Eastern Pacific lists, and other names were added for even-numbered years.
See also
- List of Pacific hurricanes
- List of Pacific hurricane seasons
- 1985 Atlantic hurricane season1985 Atlantic hurricane seasonThe 1985 Atlantic hurricane season had the most U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones since 1916. The season officially began on June 1, 1985, and lasted until November 30, 1985...
- 1985 Pacific typhoon season1985 Pacific typhoon seasonThe 1985 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1985, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between May and November. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern...
- 1985 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone seasons: 1984–85, 1985–86