1939 Pacific hurricane season

Last updated
1939 Pacific hurricane season
1939 Pacific hurricane season.png
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJune 12, 1939
Last system dissipatedOctober 25, 1939
Strongest storm
NameTen
 • Lowest pressure930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total storms10
Hurricanes4
Total fatalities93
Total damage$2 million (1939 USD)
Related articles
Pacific hurricane seasons
1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941

The 1939 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1939. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. However, 1939 saw a large number of storms threaten California.

Contents

Systems

Hurricane One

On June 12, a hurricane was detected. The lowest pressure reported by a ship was 985 mbar (29.1 inHg). The hurricane was last seen June 13. [1]

Possible Tropical Cyclone Two

A possible tropical cyclone was located off the coast of Mexico on June 27. A ship reported a gale and a pressure of 1,006 mbar (29.7 inHg). The system was last seen on June 28. [1]

Tropical Cyclone Three

On July 19, a tropical cyclone was detected. A ship reported a pressure of 1,000.7 millibars (29.55 inHg). [2]

Tropical Cyclone Four

On July 29, a tropical cyclone was located midway between Manzanillo and Acapulco. It moved up the coast, and a ship reported a pressure of 1,000 mbar (30 inHg) on July 29 as the cyclone made landfall in the vicinity of Manzanillo. [2]

Tropical Cyclone Five

A small tropical cyclone was detected on August 31. A ship reported gales and a pressure of 1,003.3 millibars (29.63 inHg). [3]

Hurricane Six

A storm developed southwest of Cabo San Lucas on September 4 and paralleled the western coast of the Baja California Peninsula for two days, eventually curving northeast into the northern Baja California on September 6. [4] : 60  From September 4 to 7, moisture from the storm and its remnants brought heavy rain to Southern California. The storm delivered over a year's worth of rainfall to Blythe, while Imperial received more than two years' worth. [5] The flooding caused major damage in Mecca, California, and 3 feet (0.91 m) of water swamped Thermal. [6] Unusually heavy rains spread across the Colorado River Valley to western Arizona ahead of an approaching shortwave trough, with a maximum of 6.85 in (174 mm) falling in Truxton, Arizona. [4] : 57  Across the state, seven stations set 24-hour rainfall records between September 4–6, while the storm's rains would contribute to the rainiest September at 38 stations. [7]

Hurricane Seven

A tropical cyclone was first detected south of Acapulco on September 5. It intensified into a hurricane and moved northwestward. A ship sailing through the eye reported a pressure reading of 948 mbar (28.0 inHg). The tropical cyclone made landfall somewhere along the Baja California Peninsula. It dissipated inland over the northern part of the peninsula on September 12. [8] Remnants of this tropical storm, in association with a trough, caused rain of up to 4 inches (100 mm) in southern California on September 11 and 12. [5]

Tropical Cyclone Eight

On September 5, a tropical cyclone formed off the coast of Costa Rica. It also headed northwest and dissipated over the southern part of Baja California on September 15. The lowest reported pressure was 1,004 mbar (29.6 inHg). [8] From September 19 to 21, remnants of this tropical cyclone caused rain measuring up to 3 inches (76 mm) in Southern California. [5]

Hurricane Nine

Map showing effects of Hurricane Nine on California 1939 California storm.jpg
Map showing effects of Hurricane Nine on California

On September 14, a tropical cyclone formed off the coast of Central America. This tropical storm tracked northwestward and intensified into a hurricane. [6] The sea-level pressure dropped to 975 mbar (28.8 inHg) or lower. The hurricane recurved gradually to the northeast and weakened over cool seas. On September 25, this tropical storm made landfall near Long Beach, California, and dissipated inland. [8]

The tropical storm caught Southern Californians unprepared. [6] It brought heavy rain and flooding to the area, which killed 45 people. [8] At sea, 48 were killed. The storm caused heavy property damage amounting to $2 million (1939 USD) in total, mostly to crops and coastal infrastructure. [6]

Hurricane Ten

Surface analysis of Hurricane Ten making landfall on October 25 Hurricane Ten Mexico analysis 25 Oct 1939.png
Surface analysis of Hurricane Ten making landfall on October 25

On October 23, a tropical cyclone formed south of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco. It intensified and headed roughly due north. A steamer, the Nevadan, caught in the eye of this extremely intense hurricane, recording a corrected central pressure of 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg). [9] Even with modern tropical cyclone observation techniques available, this reading still qualifies this cyclone as one of the most intense on record and would likely have made it a Category 4 or 5 hurricane. [10] The steep pressure gradient between the Nevadan and the external hurricane conditions off of Manzanillo, Colima caused several tarpaulins to burst. [9] Other shipping was disrupted off the Mexican coast by the intense tropical cyclone. [11]

The hurricane made landfall near Cabo Corrientes on October 25 and dissipated shortly thereafter. [11] Onshore, the storm caused an extensive swath of damage. Homes were destroyed in the towns of Santiago Ixcuintla and Rosamorada in the Mexican state of Nayarit, [12] displacing hundreds of people. [13] In Puerto Vallarta, a strong storm surge flooded a section of the town, destroying several homes. Tobacco, corn, and rice crops in the region suffered considerable damage. [12] The strong winds downed power lines, resulting in the delayed dissemination of damage reports. [14] Although no exact casualty total was documented, reports indicated that the tropical cyclone caused a "few casualties". After the storm, US$6,000 was donated to help aid the displaced in the states of Nayarit and Jalisco, while doctors and nurses were sent to those areas. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">1912 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1912 Atlantic hurricane season featured the first recorded major hurricane – Category 3 or higher on the modern day Saffir–Simpson scale – in the month of November. There were eleven tropical cyclones, seven of which became tropical storms; four of those strengthened into hurricanes, and one reached major hurricane intensity. The season's first cyclone developed on April 4, while the final dissipated on November 21. The season's most intense and most devastating tropical cyclone was the final storm, known as the Jamaica hurricane. It produced heavy rainfall on Jamaica, leading to at least 100 fatalities and about $1.5 million (1912 USD) in damage. The storm was also blamed for five deaths in Cuba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1911 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1911 Atlantic hurricane season was relatively inactive, with only six known tropical cyclones forming in the Atlantic during the summer and fall. There were three suspected tropical depressions, including one that began the season in February and one that ended the season when it dissipated in December. Three storms intensified into hurricanes, two of which attained Category 2 status on the modern-day Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale. Storm data is largely based on the Atlantic hurricane database, which underwent a thorough revision for the period between 1911 and 1914 in 2005.

The 1940 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1940. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. During this season, there is a former typhoon that crossed into central north Pacific.

The 1941 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1941. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. 1941 season was the last season before Monthly Weather Review stopped publishing temporarily due to World War II.

The 1938 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1938. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. However, 1938 saw an unusually active season, with numerous tropical cyclones forming in January and a hurricane struck Northern California in February, killing five people. On August 18, Cyclone Mokapu caused record August rainfall, and a record low pressure when it struck Hawaiian Islands. It brought down power lines and damages into a plantation.

The 1937 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1937. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. 1937 season was mostly inactive season, as there is no known tropical cyclones in September during this season. In May, a tropical cyclone struck Acapulco, cutting that city off from the outside communication for four days, causing buildings in the city to be damaged, and caused a woman's death.

The 1936 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1936. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. There are numerous damaging tropical cyclones during the season, and half of tropical cyclones during the season became hurricanes.

The 1935 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1935. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. This season saw three tropical cyclones and ended early in August.

The 1934 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1934. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1933 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1933. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1932 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1932. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1931 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1931. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1930 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1930. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1929 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1929. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1927 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1927. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1928 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1928. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1926 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1926. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land.

The 1925 Pacific hurricane season ran through the summer and fall of 1925. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes was extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms were of no threat to land. 1925 season was the first Pacific hurricane season that was covered in detail by Monthly Weather Review, and this season included the most intense November Pacific hurricane on record until beaten by Hurricane Kenneth in 2011.

The 1942–48 Pacific hurricane seasons all began during late spring in the northeast Pacific Ocean and the central Pacific. They ended in late fall.

References

  1. 1 2 Hurd, Willis (June 1939). "North Pacific Ocean, June 1939" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review . 67 (6): 190. Bibcode:1939MWRv...67..190H. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1939)67<190:NPOJ>2.0.CO;2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  2. 1 2 Hurd, Willis (July 1939). "North Pacific Ocean, July 1939" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review . 67 (7): 226. Bibcode:1939MWRv...67..226H. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1939)67<226:NPOJ>2.0.CO;2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  3. ↑ Hurd, Willis (August 1939). "North Pacific Ocean, August 1939" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review . 67 (8): 309. Bibcode:1939MWRv...67..309H. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1939)67<309:NPOA>2.0.CO;2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  4. 1 2 Smith, Walter (August 1986). The Effects of Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones on the Southwestern United States (PDF) (Report). Salt Lake City, Utah: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 Williams, Jack (2005-05-17). "Background: California's tropical storms". USA Today . Archived from the original on 2009-02-26. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California" (PDF). National Weather Service Forecast Office San Diego. January 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-01-20. Retrieved 2012-05-12.
  7. ↑ Greening, G. K. (September 1989). "Arizona Section" (PDF). Climatological Data. Asheville, North Carolina: National Centers for Environmental Information. 43 (9): 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Hurd, Willis (September 1939). "North Pacific Ocean, September 1939" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review . 67 (9): 356. Bibcode:1939MWRv...67..356H. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1939)67<356:NPOS>2.0.CO;2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2008-04-09. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  9. 1 2 Hurd, Willis (1940). "Additional Note on the Mexican West Coast Cyclone of October 23–25, 1939" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review . 68 (1): 29. Bibcode:1940MWRv...68Q..29H. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1940)068<0029:ANOTMW>2.0.CO;2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-06-12. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  10. ↑ National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Central Pacific Hurricane Center. "The Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database 1949–2021". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. A guide on how to read the database is available here PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  11. 1 2 Hurd, Willis (June 1939). "North Pacific Ocean, October 1939" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review . 67 (10): 406. Bibcode:1939MWRv...67..406H. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1939)67<406:NPOO>2.0.CO;2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  12. 1 2 "Mexican Coast Is Swept By Hurricane". The Modesto Bee. Modesto, California. Associated Press. October 27, 1939. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 4, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  13. ↑ "Hurricane Damages Towns In Mexico". The Modesto Bee. Vol. 20, no. 83. Corpus Christi, Texas. Associated Press. October 27, 1939. p. 1. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  14. ↑ "Storm Rips Mexico Coast". El Paso Herald Post. Vol. 59, no. 259. El Paso, Texas. United Press International. October 27, 1939. p. 5. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  15. ↑ "Mexico Speeds Storm Relief". Star-Monitor-Herald. Vol. 3, no. 16. Harlingen, Texas. Associated Press. October 29, 1939. p. 5. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2014– via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg

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