1955 Pacific hurricane season

Last updated
1955 Pacific hurricane season
1955 Pacific hurricane season summary map.png
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJune 6, 1955
Last system dissipatedOctober 16, 1955
Strongest storm
NameOne
  Maximum winds85 mph (140 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
Seasonal statistics
Total storms6
Hurricanes2
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)
0
Total fatalities0
Total damageUnknown
Related articles
Pacific hurricane seasons
1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957

The 1955 Pacific hurricane seasons began on May 15, 1955, in the northeast Pacific Ocean and on June 1, 1955, in the central Pacific. They ended on November 30, 1955. These dates conventionally delimit the time of year when most tropical cyclones form in northeast Pacific Ocean.

Contents

Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data on east Pacific hurricanes is extremely unreliable. Most east Pacific storms are of no threat to land. Six tropical systems were observed this season.

Systems

Hurricane One

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
01E 1955 track.png  
DurationJune 6 – June 8
Peak intensity85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min);
990  mbar  (hPa)

Hurricane One existed from June 6 to June 8.

Tropical Storm Two

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
02E 1955 track.png  
DurationJune 8 – June 11
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1003  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Two existed from June 8 to June 11.

Tropical Storm Three

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
03E 1955 track.png  
DurationJuly 6 – July 9
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1005  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Three existed from July 6 to July 9.

Tropical Storm Four

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
04E 1955 track.png  
DurationSeptember 1 – September 5
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1000  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Four developed on September 1 and moved away from Mexico while weakening. This stormed dissipated on September 5.

Tropical Storm Five

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
05E 1955 track.png  
DurationOctober 1 – October 4
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1002  mbar  (hPa)

In early October, the remnants of Hurricane Janet entered the Pacific Ocean, which later re-organized into the fifth tropical storm of the Pacific hurricane season. [1] On October 1, the storm began to curve northwestward due to a ridge over Texas. Over the following days, however, a shortwave over the United States West Coast forced to the storm to the north and then east. [2] The tropical storm maintained the same intensity throughout its existence, before making landfall on Baja California Sur at 0600 UTC on October 3. The disturbance crossed back into the Gulf of California, where it dissipated the following day. [3] The remnants of the cyclone later moved into Sonora. In the United States, rainfall was spread throughout areas of Arizona and New Mexico. Stations in Tatum and Lovington, New Mexico, recorded peak rainfall totals in excess of 3 in (76 mm). [2]

Hurricane Six

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
06E 1955 track.png  
DurationOctober 15 – October 16
Peak intensity85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min);
999  mbar  (hPa)

In mid-October, a hurricane hit southwestern Mexico.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1958 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1958 Atlantic hurricane season included every tropical cyclone either affecting or threatening land. There were ten named storms as well as one pre-season tropical storm. Seven of the storms became hurricanes, including five that were major hurricanes, or the equivalent of a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The strongest storm was Hurricane Helene, which became a strong Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph (240 km/h) winds and a barometric pressure of 930 millibars (27 inHg) while just offshore the southeastern United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1961 Atlantic hurricane season was a very active Atlantic hurricane season, with an accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) total of 189. The season, however, was an average one in terms of named storms. The season featured eight hurricanes and a well above average number of five major hurricanes. It was previously thought that the season had a record-tying seven major hurricanes, before the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis project downgraded two storms in 2019. Two Category 5 hurricanes were seen in 1961, making it one of only seven Atlantic hurricane seasons to feature multiple Category 5 hurricanes in one season. The season started on June 15, and ended on November 15. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. The first system, an operationally unclassified tropical depression, formed offshore east Central Florida on June 10, but dissipated a few days later. Next, Hurricane Anna developed in the eastern Caribbean Sea near the Windward Islands on July 20. It brought minor damage to the islands, as well as wind and flood impacts to Central America after striking Belize as a hurricane. Anna caused one death and about $300,000 (1961 USD) in damage. Activity went dormant for nearly a month and a half, until Hurricane Betsy developed on September 2. Betsy peaked as a Category 4 hurricane, but remained at sea and caused no impact.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1955 Atlantic hurricane season was, at the time, the costliest season ever recorded, just ahead of the previous year. The hurricane season officially began on June 15, 1955, and ended on November 15, 1955. It was an extremely active season in terms of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), but only slightly above average in terms of storm formation, with 13 recorded tropical cyclones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1956 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1956 Atlantic hurricane season featured a decent number of tropical cyclones, although most tropical storms and hurricanes affected land. There were twelve tropical storms, a third of which became hurricanes. One of the hurricanes strengthened to the equivalent of a major hurricane, which is a Category 3 or greater on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The strongest hurricane of the season was Betsy, which was also the most damaging storm of the season: it destroyed 15,000 houses and left $40 million in damage in Puerto Rico. Betsy was also the deadliest of the season, having killed 18 people in the French West Indies, two from a shipwreck in the Caribbean Sea, and 16 in Puerto Rico. Tropical Storm Dora struck Mexico in September and killed 27 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1954 Atlantic hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean

The 1954 Atlantic hurricane season was an above-average Atlantic hurricane season in terms of named storms, with 16 forming. Overall, the season resulted in $751.6 million in damage, the most of any season at the time. The season officially began on June 15, and nine days later the first named storm developed. Hurricane Alice developed in the Gulf of Mexico and moved inland along the Rio Grande, producing significant precipitation and record flooding that killed 55 people. Activity was slow until late August; only Barbara, a minimal tropical storm, developed in July. In the span of two weeks, hurricanes Carol and Edna followed similar paths before both striking New England as major hurricanes. The latter became the costliest hurricane in Maine's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 2000 Pacific hurricane season was an above-average Pacific hurricane season, although most of the storms were weak and short-lived. There were few notable storms this year. Tropical storms Miriam, Norman, and Rosa all made landfall in Mexico with minimal impact. Hurricane Daniel briefly threatened the U.S. state of Hawaii while weakening. Hurricane Carlotta was the strongest storm of the year and the second-strongest June hurricane in recorded history. Carlotta killed 18 people when it sank a freighter. Overall, the season was significantly more active than the previous season, with 19 tropical storms. In addition, six hurricanes developed. Furthermore, there were total of two major hurricanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1987 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1987 Pacific hurricane season was the last year in which the Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center was the primary warning center for tropical cyclones in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The season officially started May 15, 1987, in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1987, in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1987. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when the vast majority of tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1977 Pacific hurricane season stands alongside 2010 as the least active Pacific hurricane season since reliable records began in 1971. Only eight tropical storms formed throughout the year; four further intensified into hurricanes, yet none strengthened into major hurricanes—a Category 3 or stronger on the Saffir–Simpson scale—an occurrence not seen again until 2003. Most tropical cyclones remained over the open eastern Pacific; however, the remnants of hurricanes Doreen and Heather led to heavy rainfall which damaged or destroyed structures and flooded roadways throughout the Southwest United States. Notably, Hurricane Anita which originally formed in the Gulf of Mexico made the rare trek across Mexico into the eastern Pacific, briefly existing as a tropical depression. Eight deaths were recorded while damage reached $39.6 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1939 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1978 Pacific hurricane season was the first Pacific hurricane season to use both masculine and feminine names for tropical cyclones. It also began the modern practice of utilizing naming lists every six years. Despite lacking an El Niño, a common driver of enhanced activity in the East and Central Pacific basins, the 1978 season was active. It featured 19 named storms, 14 hurricanes, and 7 major hurricanes, the latter of which are Category 3 or stronger cyclones on the Saffir–Simpson scale. Within the confines of the Central Pacific basin, located between the International Date Line and 140°W, 13 tropical cyclones or their remnants were observed by forecasters at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, a record number of occurrences at the time. Seasonal activity began on May 30 and ended on October 21, within the limits of a traditional hurricane season which begins on May 15 in the East Pacific and June 1 in the Central Pacific. The season ends on November 30 in both basins. These dates conventionally delimit the period during each year when most tropical cyclones form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1955 Pacific typhoon season</span> Typhoon season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1955 Pacific typhoon season has no official bounds; it ran year-round in 1955, but most tropical cyclones tend to form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean between June and December. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The season produced a large number of tropical storms but most of them were weak, and sources from American typhoon warning agencies often grossly overestimated the maximum wind speed of many systems which could not properly match with their respective central pressure observations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1961 Pacific hurricane season was an event in meteorology. It officially started on May 15, 1961, in the eastern Pacific and lasted until November 30, 1961. Ten tropical cyclones, 9 named storms and two hurricanes formed during the 1961 season, none of the hurricanes reached beyond category 1 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.

The 1900s Pacific hurricane seasons all began on May 15 of their respective years in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean and on June 1 in the Central North Pacific. They all ended on November 30, of each year. These dates conventionally delimit the period when tropical cyclogenesis usually occurs in the Northern Pacific basin, east of the International Date Line. However, Tropical cyclogenesis is possible at any time of the year. Before the dawn of the satellite era in the 1960s, data on Pacific hurricanes is extremely unreliable. For a few years, there are no reported cyclones, although many systems likely formed and went undocumented.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1962 Pacific hurricane season was a moderately active Pacific hurricane season that included two hurricane landfalls. The 1962 Pacific hurricane season officially started on May 15, 1962 in the eastern Pacific and June 1, 1962 in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility and lasted until November 30, 1962 in both regions. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1954 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1954 Pacific hurricane season featured below-average activity, with eleven tropical storms identified. The season officially started on May 15 and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Pacific basin. The majority of the year's storm remained offshore and caused little to no adverse impact on land. However, a tropical storm in October brought flooding rain to Mexico and Guatemala that left five people dead and thousands homeless. An unknown disease in the storm's wake killed a further 35 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1953 Pacific hurricane season</span> Hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean

The 1953 Pacific hurricane season was the least active season on record. The season officially began on May 15 in the northeast Pacific Ocean and on June 1 in the central northern Pacific. They ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the time of year when most tropical cyclones form in northeast Pacific Ocean. Before the satellite age started in the 1960s, data prior to that time on Pacific hurricanes is extremely unreliable as most east Pacific storms are of no threat to land.

References

  1. United States Department of Commerce (1955). "Bulletins and Advisories Issued by Weather Bureau Airport Station, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Weather Bureau Office, Miami, Florida, and Weather Bureau Office, New Orleans, Louisiana, on Hurricane "Janet"" (PDF). United States Weather Bureau. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "The Effects of Tropical Cyclones on the Southwestern United States" (PDF). NOAA Technical Memorandum. National Weather Service Western Region. August 1986. Retrieved July 1, 2013.
  3. National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Central Pacific Hurricane Center (April 4, 2023). "The Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database 1949–2022". 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.