Hurricane Estelle (1986)
Encyclopedia
Hurricane Estelle was the first major hurricane of the above-average 1986 Pacific hurricane season
. It formed as a tropical depression formed well southwest of the Baja California Peninsula
on July 16, and strengthened into a tropical storm within 24 hours. Located within a favorable environment, Estelle intensified into a hurricane on July 18. It attained major hurricane status (Category 3 intensity or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
) two days later. After peaking in intensity at Category 4 strength, Estelle slowly weakened. By July 24, Estelle was no longer a hurricane while passing south of Hawaii. It completely dissipated on July 26 after further deteriorating to a tropical depression. The arrival of the hurricane prompted a hurricane watch for Hawaii, and 200 people evacuated from their homes. Hurricane Estelle produced high waves offshore Hawaii, causing $2 million in damage and two deaths. The remnants of the storm also produced intermittent showers across the state, though there was no major damage.
and weather reports from the cargo ships Hamburg Express and Aleksander Vermishev, the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center (EPHC) upgraded a tropical disturbance into a tropical depression. At this time, the depression was located 390 mi (627.6 km) west of Clipperton Island
, a small remote island in the Pacific Ocean, at 1200 UTC July 16. Moving towards the west beneath a high pressure area
, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Estelle 12 hours after formation. Upon being named sea surface temperatures along the storm's path were 84 °F (28.9 °C), and thus Estelle began to rapidly intensify. Estelle became a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
on 1200 UTC July 17, 24 hours after first forming.
Shortly after attaining hurricane intensity, an eye
began to appear on weather satellite
imagery. Based on this, the EPHC re-assessed the intensity of the system at 85 mph (135 km/h). Estelle became the first major hurricane of the 1986 Pacific hurricane season
on 0000 UTC July 18. As its motion accelerated, Estelle peaked intensity at 135 mph (215 km/h). Moving west, Hurricane Estelle emerged into the Central Pacific Hurricane Center
's area of responsibility
while still a major hurricane.
Estelle's forward motion increased to close to 25 mph (40.2 km/h). As such, forecasters noted the path of a potential landfall on the Big Island. Due to a shearing environment from a trough
, Estelle weakened as it continued approaching Hawaii
. A possible re-curve towards the island never materialized, and the hurricane veered to west and passed south of the islands. Estelle weakened to a tropical storm on July 23 while passing south of Hawaii
, and two days later it weakened to a depression. The tropical cyclone
dissipated two days later.
Estelle was a well-observed storm, with Reconnaissance Aircraft
flying into the hurricane to provide a fix on its location. It also passed near NOAA Buoy 51004
on July 22, providing valuable meteorological data for its future path.
issued a hurricane watch and high-surf advisory for the Island of Hawaii
as the storm was anticipated to produce life-threatening waves throughout the island chain. Gale warning
s and small craft advisories were also issued. Hurricane Estelle was described by meteorologists as "small but dangerous". More than 200 people evacuated from their homes near the shoreline, but others refused to leave. However, the hurricane watch was dropped on July 24 when Estelle weakened to a tropical storm.
Due to its rapid motion, Estelle kept pace with a large swell of water that it generated. In combination with a high spring tide and peripheral winds generated by Estelle, 15 ft (4.6 m) to 20 ft (6.1 m) waves crashed on the shores of the Big Island on the afternoon of July 22. Five homes were destroyed and another five sustained extreme damage. Twelve other homes received minor damage. Three beachfront divisions were destroyed. Dozens of other places in Vacation Land were also damaged. On Maui
, waves washed away a dirt road
on the eastern part of the island between Kipahulu and Kaupo
. After Estelle passed by the islands, moisture related to the tropical cyclone caused heavy rainfall in the Ka'u
and Puna
districts on the Big Island. On July 22, a wind gust of 55 mph (88.5 km/h) was recorded near Kalapana Sand Beach. The total damage was around $2 million (1986 USD
). Two drownings were reported on Oahu
that occurred on July 23, due to rough surf caused by Estelle.
Although isolated showers were initially recorded in the southern portion of the state, after Hurricane Estelle dissipated, its moisture became entrapped in a trough over the islands, causing significant rainfall and thunderstorms over the archipelago. Some areas in Hawaii received 5 in (127 mm) to 10 in (254 mm). The rains in Hawaii had cleared up by July 29.
1986 Pacific hurricane season
The 1986 Pacific hurricane season was less active than the 1985 Pacific hurricane season. It officially started May 15, 1986 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1986 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1986. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when almost...
. It formed as a tropical depression formed well southwest 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...
on July 16, and strengthened into a tropical storm within 24 hours. Located within a favorable environment, Estelle intensified into a hurricane on July 18. It attained major hurricane status (Category 3 intensity or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane 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...
) two days later. After peaking in intensity at Category 4 strength, Estelle slowly weakened. By July 24, Estelle was no longer a hurricane while passing south of Hawaii. It completely dissipated on July 26 after further deteriorating to a tropical depression. The arrival of the hurricane prompted a hurricane watch for Hawaii, and 200 people evacuated from their homes. Hurricane Estelle produced high waves offshore Hawaii, causing $2 million in damage and two deaths. The remnants of the storm also produced intermittent showers across the state, though there was no major damage.
Meteorological history
Based on data from satellite imagerySatellite imagery
Satellite imagery consists of photographs of Earth or other planets made by means of artificial satellites.- History :The first images from space were taken on sub-orbital flights. The U.S-launched V-2 flight on October 24, 1946 took one image every 1.5 seconds...
and weather reports from the cargo ships Hamburg Express and Aleksander Vermishev, the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center (EPHC) upgraded a tropical disturbance into a tropical depression. At this time, the depression was located 390 mi (627.6 km) west of Clipperton Island
Clipperton Island
Clipperton Island is an uninhabited nine-square-kilometre coral atoll in the eastern Pacific Ocean, southwest of Mexico and west of Central America, at...
, a small remote island in the Pacific Ocean, at 1200 UTC July 16. Moving towards the west beneath a high pressure area
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...
, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Estelle 12 hours after formation. Upon being named sea surface temperatures along the storm's path were 84 °F (28.9 °C), and thus Estelle began to rapidly intensify. Estelle became a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane 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...
on 1200 UTC July 17, 24 hours after first forming.
Shortly after attaining hurricane intensity, an eye
Eye (cyclone)
The eye is a region of mostly calm weather found at the center of strong tropical cyclones. The eye of a storm is a roughly circular area and typically 30–65 km in diameter. It is surrounded by the eyewall, a ring of towering thunderstorms where the second most severe weather of a cyclone...
began to appear on weather satellite
Weather satellite
The weather satellite is a type of satellite that is primarily used to monitor the weather and climate of the Earth. Satellites can be either polar orbiting, seeing the same swath of the Earth every 12 hours, or geostationary, hovering over the same spot on Earth by orbiting over the equator while...
imagery. Based on this, the EPHC re-assessed the intensity of the system at 85 mph (135 km/h). Estelle became the first major hurricane of the 1986 Pacific hurricane season
1986 Pacific hurricane season
The 1986 Pacific hurricane season was less active than the 1985 Pacific hurricane season. It officially started May 15, 1986 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1986 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1986. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when almost...
on 0000 UTC July 18. As its motion accelerated, Estelle peaked intensity at 135 mph (215 km/h). Moving west, Hurricane Estelle emerged into 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 area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...
while still a major hurricane.
Estelle's forward motion increased to close to 25 mph (40.2 km/h). As such, forecasters noted the path of a potential landfall on the Big Island. Due to a shearing environment from a 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...
, Estelle weakened as it continued approaching 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...
. A possible re-curve towards the island never materialized, and the hurricane veered to west and passed south of the islands. Estelle weakened to a tropical storm on July 23 while passing south of 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...
, and two days later it weakened to a depression. The tropical cyclone
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...
dissipated two days later.
Estelle was a well-observed storm, with Reconnaissance Aircraft
Hurricane Hunters
The Hurricane Hunters are aircraft that fly into tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeastern Pacific Ocean for the specific purpose of directly measuring weather data in and around those storms. In the United States, the Air Force, Navy, and NOAA units have all participated in...
flying into the hurricane to provide a fix on its location. It also passed near NOAA Buoy 51004
Weather buoy
Weather buoys are instruments which collect weather and ocean data within the world's oceans, as well as aiding during emergency response to chemical spills, legal proceedings, and engineering design. Moored buoys have been in used since 1951, while drifting buoys have been used since 1979...
on July 22, providing valuable meteorological data for its future path.
Preparations and impact
On July 22, the National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
issued a hurricane watch and high-surf advisory for the Island of 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...
as the storm was anticipated to produce life-threatening waves throughout the island chain. Gale warning
Gale warning
A gale warning is a warning issued by weather services in maritime locations about the existence of winds of gale force or above or the imminent occurrence of gales at sea...
s and small craft advisories were also issued. Hurricane Estelle was described by meteorologists as "small but dangerous". More than 200 people evacuated from their homes near the shoreline, but others refused to leave. However, the hurricane watch was dropped on July 24 when Estelle weakened to a tropical storm.
Due to its rapid motion, Estelle kept pace with a large swell of water that it generated. In combination with a high spring tide and peripheral winds generated by Estelle, 15 ft (4.6 m) to 20 ft (6.1 m) waves crashed on the shores of the Big Island on the afternoon of July 22. Five homes were destroyed and another five sustained extreme damage. Twelve other homes received minor damage. Three beachfront divisions were destroyed. Dozens of other places in Vacation Land were also damaged. On Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
, waves washed away a dirt road
Dirt road
Dirt road is a common term for an unpaved road made from the native material of the land surface through which it passes, known to highway engineers as subgrade material. Dirt roads are suitable for vehicles; a narrower path for pedestrians, animals, and possibly small vehicles would be called a...
on the eastern part of the island between Kipahulu and Kaupo
Kaupo, Hawaii
Kaupo is one of the districts of ancient Hawaii of Maui island in Hawaii. Kaupo is a very remote and sparsely populated sustainable ranching community.- Location :...
. After Estelle passed by the islands, moisture related to the tropical cyclone caused heavy rainfall in the Ka'u
Kau, Hawaii
thumb|right|300px|The districts of the [[Hawaii |Big Island]]. From Northernmost, clockwise; [[Kohala, Hawaii|Kohala]], [[Hamakua]], [[Hilo, Hawaii|Hilo]], [[Puna, Hawaii|Puna]], Kau , [[Kona District, Hawaii|Kona]]...
and Puna
Puna, Hawaii
Puna is one of the nine districts in Hawaii County, Big Island, Hawaii. The District of Puna is located on the easternmost portion of the island and shares borders to the north with the District of South Hilo and a border to the west with the District of Kaū...
districts on the Big Island. On July 22, a wind gust of 55 mph (88.5 km/h) was recorded near Kalapana Sand Beach. The total damage was around $2 million (1986 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
). Two drownings were reported on Oahu
Oahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
that occurred on July 23, due to rough surf caused by Estelle.
Although isolated showers were initially recorded in the southern portion of the state, after Hurricane Estelle dissipated, its moisture became entrapped in a trough over the islands, causing significant rainfall and thunderstorms over the archipelago. Some areas in Hawaii received 5 in (127 mm) to 10 in (254 mm). The rains in Hawaii had cleared up by July 29.