1961 Pacific hurricane season

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1961 Pacific hurricane season
1961 Pacific hurricane season summary map.png
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedJune 9, 1961
Last system dissipatedNovember 12, 1961
Strongest storm
NameIva
  Maximum winds85 mph (140 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
  Lowest pressure984 mbar (hPa; 29.06 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions10
Total storms9
Hurricanes2
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)
0
Total fatalities436 total
Total damage$16 million (1961 USD)
Related articles
Pacific hurricane seasons
1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963

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 (Madeline and Simone were operationally considered a tropical storm) and two hurricanes formed during the 1961 season, none of the hurricanes reached beyond category 1 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. [1]

Contents

The 1961 Pacific hurricane season featured only one notable tropical cyclone: Hurricane Tara. Tara devastated southwest Mexico, causing 436-500 fatalities, making it the fourth deadliest tropical cyclone in the Eastern Pacific basin.

Season summary

Hurricane Tara (1961)Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale1961 Pacific hurricane season

The 1961 Pacific hurricane season was slightly more active than 1960, which had eight tropical cyclones, compare with 11 during this year. However, in 1960, there were five hurricane, but only two in 1961. Although there were an abnormally high number of tropical cyclones for its time, 1961 fell below the 1995-2008 average number of tropical cyclones, which is 15 tropical cyclones, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. [2] In addition, there were eleven tropical cyclones, two hurricanes, but no major hurricanes. However, in post-analysis, it was noted that "Tropical Storm Madeline" was only a tropical depression, and shouldn't have been named.

Tropical cyclone activity first began about a month after the official start of the season, with Iva developed on June 9. After Iva dissipated on June 11, there was another period of lack of tropical cyclogenesis for almost a month, ending after Tropical Storm Joanne developed on July 10. July was an active month, with four tropical cyclones developing. However, the month of August and September combined featured only two tropical cyclones. After September, there were two tropical cyclones in October, both existing only on October 3 and October 4. Two more tropical cyclones developed in November, [1] which was the first time on record, and would not occur again until 2006. [3]

Operationally, the San Francisco Weather Bureau issued advisories for Tropical Storm Simone, which existed in early November south of Mexico. The system originated from the remnants of Atlantic Hurricane Hattie, crossing into the basin on November 1; on the same day, the system was named Simone. The system consisted of a broad circulation with gale force winds, which the Atlantic hurricane reanalysis committee referred as a Central American gyre; as it lacked a well-defined center, the system was removed as a tropical cyclone in 2019. The gyre intensified before moving ashore Mexico on November 3, whereupon it dissipated. [4]

Systems

Hurricane Iva

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Iva 1961 track.png  
DurationJune 9 – June 11
Peak intensity85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min);
984  mbar  (hPa)

Hurricane Iva was the first storm of the season, as the Eastern Pacific continued through the name lists regardless of the year. Iva was first observed on June 9 280 mi (420.61 km/h) southwest of Puerto Ángel. The storm slowly curved northward, and Iva did not intensify past its peak with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). By June 11, Iva made landfall near Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico at the same intensity. Iva transitioned into an extratropical cyclone less than six hours later, and the remnants completely dissipated on June 12.

Tropical Storm Joanne

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Joanne 1961 track.png  
DurationJuly 10 – July 12
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
995  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Joanne developed on July 10 175 mi (281.63 km) southwest of Socorro Island. Winds were at 50 mph (80 km/h) upon development, and no further intensification would occur while Joanne headed generally westward. Joanne dissipated two days later 883 mi (1421 km/h) south-southeast of Guadalupe Island. [3]

Tropical Storm Kathleen

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Kathleen 1961 track.png  
DurationJuly 14 – July 16
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1002  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Kathleen developed on July 14 in a similar location to Tropical Storm Joanne. Kathleen headed west-southwestward and did not intensify past 50 mph (85 km/h). By July 16, Kathleen dissipated.

Tropical Storm Liza

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Liza1961tirosIII.png   Liza 1961 track.png
DurationJuly 15 – July 19
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1005  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Liza stayed at sea.

Tropical Depression Madeline

Tropical depression (SSHWS)
Madeline1961TIROS3.gif  
DurationJuly 24 – July 25
Peak intensity35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min);
1000  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Depression Madeline stayed at sea and downgraded during post-analysis.

Tropical Storm Naomi

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Sat196108050107zTIROSVnaomi.png   Naomi 1961 track.png
DurationAugust 4 – August 5
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1000  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Naomi stayed at sea.

Tropical Storm Orla

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Orla 1961 track.png  
DurationSeptember 6 – September 11
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
998  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Orla came close to the Baja California Peninsula. but stayed at sea.

Tropical Storm Pauline

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Pauline 1961 track.png  
DurationOctober 3 – October 4
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1010  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Pauline stayed at sea.

Tropical Storm Rebecca

Tropical storm (SSHWS)
Rebecca 1961 track.png  
DurationOctober 3 – October 4
Peak intensity50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);
1008  mbar  (hPa)

Tropical Storm Rebecca stayed at sea.

Hurricane Tara

Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS)
Tara 1961 track.png  
DurationNovember 10 – November 12
Peak intensity85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min);
996  mbar  (hPa)

Hurricane Tara was one of the deadliest Pacific hurricanes on record. [5] It was the final storm of the season, forming on November 10 about 230 mi (365 km) off the coast of Mexico. It strengthened to reach 85 mph (140 km/h) before making landfall in the Mexican state of Guerrero near Zihuatanejo. [6] [3] Hurricane Tara dissipated on November 12, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to locations inundated by 10 days of precipitation. Damage was light in the major port city of Acapulco, though further west along the coast, the effects of Tara were much worse. The city of Nuxco in the municipality of Tecpan de Galeana received the most damage and deaths from the hurricane. [7] Throughout Mexico, at least 436 fatalities were reported, and damage exceeded $16 million (1961  USD). [8] [9]

Storm names

The following names were used for tropical storms that formed in the North Pacific Ocean east of 140°W during 1961. The names came from a series of four rotating lists. Names were used one after the other without regard to year, and when the bottom of one list was reached, the next named storm received the name at the top of the next list. [10]

  • Iva
  • Joanne
  • Kathleen
  • Liza
  • Madeline
  • Naomi
  • Orla
  • Pauline

Had any tropical storms formed in the North Pacific between 140°W and the International Date Line in 1961, their names would have been drawn from the Western Pacific typhoon naming list. [10]

See also

Notes

  1. Simone was operationally considered a tropical storm, but was removed as a tropical cyclone following HURDAT reanalysis in 2019.

Related Research Articles

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

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">1951 Atlantic hurricane season</span>

The 1951 Atlantic hurricane season was the first hurricane season in which tropical cyclones were officially named by the United States Weather Bureau. The season officially started on June 15, when the United States Weather Bureau began its daily monitoring for tropical cyclone activity; the season officially ended on November 15. It was the first year since 1937 in which no hurricanes made landfall on the United States; as Hurricane How was the only tropical storm to hit the nation, the season had the least tropical cyclone damage in the United States since the 1939 season. As in the 1950 season, names from the Joint Army/Navy Phonetic Alphabet were used to name storms this season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 2002 Pacific hurricane season was a near–average season which produced fifteen named storms. Eight hurricanes formed, including a record-equaling three Category 5 hurricanes, a record it shares with the 1994 and 2018 seasons. It was also a near-average season in terms of accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), having an ACE of 125. The season officially began on May 15, 2002 in the East Pacific Ocean, and on June 1, 2002 in the Central Pacific; both ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclone formation occurs in these regions of the Pacific. The first system of the 2002 season, Hurricane Alma, formed on May 24, and the last, Tropical Depression Sixteen-E, dissipated on November 16.

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

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">1998 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1998 Pacific hurricane season was a fairly average Pacific hurricane season. Despite this, it had nine hurricanes and six major hurricanes, which was well above average. The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific and on June 1 in the central Pacific, and ended on November 30; these dates conventionally delimit the period during which most tropical cyclones form in that region. The first tropical cyclone developed on June 11, about ten days later than the normal start of the season. The final storm of the year, Hurricane Madeline, dissipated on October 20. Storm activity in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's warning zone was low, with just one tropical depression observed in the region. Two tropical cyclones from the eastern Pacific also entered the central Pacific; the former did so as a hurricane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1997 Pacific hurricane season was a very active hurricane season. With hundreds of deaths and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, this was one of the deadliest and costliest Pacific hurricane seasons on record. This was due to the exceptionally strong 1997–98 El Niño event. The season officially started on May 15, in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when almost all tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1986 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1986 Pacific hurricane season featured several tropical cyclones that contributed to significant flooding to the Central United States. The hurricane season officially started May 15, 1986, in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1986 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1986 in both regions. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. A total of 17 named storms and 9 hurricanes developed during the season; this is slightly above the averages of 15 named storms and 8 hurricanes, respectively. In addition, 26 tropical depressions formed in the eastern Pacific during 1986, which, at the time, was the second most ever recorded; only the 1982 Pacific hurricane season saw a higher total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1985 Pacific hurricane season is the third-most active Pacific hurricane season on record. 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 28 tropical cyclones forming. Of those, 24 were named, 13 reached hurricane intensity, and 8 became major hurricanes by attaining Category 3 status or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. At that time, the 24 named storms was a record; however, this record was broken seven years later in 1992, and was therefore recognized as the second busiest season within the basin, until it was surpassed exactly thirty years later by the 2015 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1984 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1984 Pacific hurricane season featured numerous tropical cyclones, several of which were impactful to land. It was a busy hurricane season with 21 named storms, 13 hurricanes, and 7 major hurricanes, the latter of which are Category 3 or stronger cyclones on the Saffir–Simpson scale. This activity was unusual given the presence of a La Niña, which typically suppresses Central and East Pacific tropical cyclone activity, and only average sea surface temperatures. Seasonal activity began on May 17 and ended on November 8. This lies within the confines of a traditional hurricane season which begins on May 15 in the East Pacific and June 1 in the Central Pacific, and 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">1976 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1976 Pacific hurricane season was a very deadly and costly season. Hurricanes Kathleen, Liza, and Madeline were the most notable storms this year. Hurricane Kathleen caused death and destruction in California and Arizona due to flooding. Hurricane Liza was the deadliest storm of the season when it killed over 600 people in Mexico. Hurricane Madeline is notable for being one of the most intense Pacific hurricanes at landfall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1975 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 1975, in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1975, in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1975. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeast Pacific Ocean.

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

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">1972 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1972 Pacific hurricane season was an ongoing event in tropical cyclone meteorology. There were few notable storms this year. Only one person was killed and storm effects were almost not serious at all. The most notable systems were Hurricane Celeste and Joanne. Celeste was the strongest storm of the season, and caused heavy damage to Johnston Atoll. Hurricane Joanne brought gale-force winds to the Continental United States and caused flooding in Arizona and northern Mexico, which killed one person. The only other system to directly impact land was Hurricane Annette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1971 Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, 1971 in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1971 in the Central Pacific ; both ended on November 30, 1971. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in these regions of the Pacific. It was the first year that continuous Weather satellite coverage existed over the entire Central Pacific. As such, this season is often viewed as the start year for modern reliable tropical cyclone data in the Pacific Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1949 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1949 Pacific hurricane season was the first hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific hurricane database. Six tropical cyclones were known to have existed during the season, of which the first formed on June 11 and the final dissipated on September 30. Another tropical cyclone had formed within the basin in 1949, but was included in the Atlantic hurricane database, had it been classified operationally in the Eastern Pacific basin, would have tallied the overall season to seven tropical cyclones. In addition, there were two tropical cyclones that attained hurricane status, but none of them reached major hurricane intensity. Tropical Storm Three threatened the Baja California Peninsula, while an unnumbered hurricane crossed into the Atlantic, later becoming the 1949 Texas hurricane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1968 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1968 Pacific hurricane season ties the record for having the most active August in terms of tropical storms. It officially started on May 15, 1968, in the eastern Pacific and June 1 in the central Pacific and lasted until November 30, 1968. 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">Hurricane Tara</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 1961

Hurricane Tara was one of the deadliest Pacific hurricanes on record. The final tropical cyclone of the 1961 Pacific hurricane season, Tara formed on November 10 about 230 mi (365 km) off the coast of Mexico. It strengthened to reach maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km/h) before making landfall in the Mexican state of Guerrero near Zihuatanejo. Hurricane Tara dissipated on November 12, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to locations inundated by 10 days of precipitation. Damage was light in the major port city of Acapulco, though further west along the coast, the effects of Tara were much worse. The city of Nuxco in Tecpan de Galeana municipality received the most damage and deaths from the hurricane. Throughout Mexico, at least 436 fatalities were reported, and damage exceeded $16 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1963 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1963 Pacific hurricane season was a below-average season, with 8 storms and 4 hurricanes forming. The season ran through the summer and fall of 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Madeline (1976)</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane in 1976

Hurricane Madeline was the second landfalling major hurricane along the Pacific coast of Mexico in a week. Madeline formed on September 29, not far from Central America. The next day, the circulation dissipated, and as a result weakened to a remnant low. Four days later, on October 3, the low regenerated into a tropical depression. The system remained weak for three days as it drifted west-northwest. When it began to recurve towards Mexico on October 6, the cyclone rapidly intensified and eventually made landfall at peak intensity as a Category 4. Shortly after landfall, the cyclone rapidly dissipated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1965 Pacific hurricane season</span>

The 1965 Pacific hurricane season officially started May 15, 1965, in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1965, in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1965. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeast Pacific Ocean. A total of ten systems were observed. The most notable storm was Tropical Storm Hazel, which killed six people in Mexico.

References

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  2. "Background Information: East Pacific Hurricane Season". Climate Prediction Center. 2010. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
  3. 1 2 3 National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Central Pacific Hurricane Center (April 26, 2024). "The Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database 1949–2023". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. 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.
  4. Delgado, Sandy; Landsea, Christopher; Moses, Brenden (2019). Reanalysis of the 1961–65 Atlantic hurricane seasons (PDF) (Report). Hurricane Research Division. pp. 80–90. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  5. Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (2007). "Riesgos Hidrometeorológicos" (in Spanish). Secretaría de Gobernación. Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  6. United States Weather Bureau (1961). Tropical Cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific, 1961 . Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  7. Staff Writer (1961-11-14). "Toll in Mexico Hurricane May Run As High as 500". United Press International. Archived from the original on 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  8. Staff Writer (1961-11-19). "Mexican Cyclone Areas Win Relief By Airlift". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  9. Staff Writer (1961-11-18). "Mexico Struck Hard By Storm". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2016-01-25. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
  10. 1 2 Padgett, Gary (July 11, 2008). "Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary: November 2007 First Installment". Australian Severe Weather. Retrieved February 24, 2024.