Timeline of the 2010 Pacific hurricane season explained
The 2010 Pacific hurricane season was one of the least active seasons on record, featuring the fewest named storms since 1977.[1] The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific—east of 140°W—and on June 1 in the central Pacific—between the International Date Line and 140°W—and lasted until November 30. These dates typically cover the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the eastern Pacific basin.[2] The season's first storm, Tropical Storm Agatha, developed on May 29; the season's final storm, Tropical Storm Omeka, degenerated on December 21.
The season began with record-breaking activity with four named storms, including two major hurricanes, developing by the end of June.[1] Accumulated cyclone energy (ACE)[3] values exceeded 300 percent of the average for the month of June.[4] Activity abruptly diminished thereafter, with July, August, and September seeing record low storm development. The Eastern Pacific season proper ended with Tropical Storm Georgette's dissipation on September 23, a month before the climatological mean.[1] The year's final cyclone, Omeka, developed in the off-season on December 18, marking a record-late formation date in the satellite-era.[5] Although there were relatively few storms, the season proved exceptionally deadly and destructive. Torrential rains associated with Agatha and Eleven-E killed well over 200 people in Central America and Mexico and left more than $1.5 billion in damage.[6]
Four time zones are utilized in the basin: Central for storms east of 106°W, Mountain between 114.9°W and 106°W, Pacific between 140°W and 115°W,[7] and Hawaii–Aleutian for storms between the International Date Line and 140°W. However, for convenience, all information is listed by Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) first with the respective local time included in parentheses. This timeline includes information that was not operationally released, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center, such as the subtropical phase of Omeka, is included. This timeline documents tropical cyclone formations, strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season.
Timeline of events
May
May 15
- The 2010 Pacific hurricane season officially begins.[2]
May 29
- 00:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. CDT, May 28) - Tropical Depression One-E develops out of a broad area of low pressure roughly 180abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Tapachula, Mexico.[8]
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression One-E intensifies into a tropical storm and is named Agatha while located about 235abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Guatemala City, Guatemala.[8]
- 18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Storm Agatha reaches its peak intensity with winds of 45abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a barometric pressure of 1001 mbar (hPa; 1001mbar).[8]
- 22:30 UTC (5:30 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Storm Agatha makes landfall near Champerico, Guatemala, just south of the Mexico–Guatemala border, while at peak strength.[8]
May 30
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Agatha weakens to a tropical depression.[8]
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Agatha degenerates into a remnant low before subsequently dissipating six hours later over the high terrain of Guatemala.[8]
June
June 1
- The 2010 Central Pacific hurricane season officially begins.[2]
June 16
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Two-E develops out of a tropical wave roughly 110abbr=onNaNabbr=on south of Salina Cruz, Mexico.[9]
- 18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Two-E attains its peak intensity with winds of 35abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 1007 mbar (hPa; 1007mbar).[9]
June 17
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Two-E rapidly dissipates off the coast of Mexico.[9]
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Three-E develops out of an area of low pressure roughly 305abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[10]
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - Observations from the ship Maersk Dhahran indicate that Three-E intensified into a tropical storm; the system was accordingly assigned the name Blas.[10]
June 18
- 18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Four-E develops out of large, well-defined low-pressure area located about 370abbr=onNaNabbr=on southeast of Acapulco, Mexico.[11]
June 19
- 12:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Storm Blas reaches its peak intensity with winds of 65abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 994 mbar (hPa; 994mbar) while located about 445abbr=onNaNabbr=on south of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.[10]
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Four-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Celia while situated roughly 335abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico.[11]
June 20
- 18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Storm Celia intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale while located 360abbr=onNaNabbr=on south of Acapulco, Mexico.[11]
June 21
- 00:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. PDT, June 20) - Tropical Storm Blas weakens to a tropical depression about 560abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.[10]
- 18:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. PDT) - Tropical Depression Blas degenerates into a non-convective remnant low roughly 710 mi (1,145 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.[10]
June 22
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Hurricane Celia reaches Category 2 status and its initial peak intensity with winds of 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 973 mbar (hPa; 973mbar).[11]
June 23
- 00:00 UTC (6:00 p.m. MDT, June 22) - Hurricane Celia weakens to Category 1 strength approximately 535abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[11]
- 00:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. CDT, June 22) - Tropical Depression Five-E develops from an area of showers and thunderstorms about 380abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southeast of Salina Cruz, Mexico.[12]
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Five-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Darby about 350abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southeast of Salina Cruz, Mexico.[12]
- 12:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. MDT) - Hurricane Celia regains Category 2 intensity while located 565abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[11]
June 24
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Storm Darby rapidly strengthens into a Category 1 hurricane approximately 295abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southwest of Salina Cruz, Mexico.[12]
- 12:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. MDT) - Hurricane Celia intensifies into Category 3 hurricane about 470abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southwest of Socorro Island.[11]
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Hurricane Celia rapid intensifies into a Category 4 hurricane about 485abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southwest of Socorro Island.[11]
June 25
- 00:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. PDT, June 24) - Hurricane Celia reaches its peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 160abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 921 mbar (hPa; 921mbar), about 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Socorro Island.[11]
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Hurricane Darby intensifies into a Category 2 hurricane about 255abbr=onNaNabbr=on south of Acapulco, Mexico.[12]
- 12:00 UTC (5:00 a.m. PDT) - Stable environmental conditions and cooler waters result in Hurricane Celia weakening to a Category 4 system approximately 565abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Socorro Island.[11]
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - Hurricane Darby undergoes a second phase of rapid deepening and reaches Category 3 intensity about 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[12]
- 18:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. PDT) - Hurricane Celia weakens to Category 3 strength about 595abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Socorro Island.[11]
- 21:00 UTC (4:00 p.m. CDT) - Hurricane Darby attains its peak intensity with winds of 120abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 959 mbar (hPa; 959mbar) approximately 245abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[12]
June 26
- 06:00 UTC (11:00 p.m. PDT, June 25) - Hurricane Celia weakens to Category 2 strength about 665 mi (1,070 km) west-southwest of Socorro Island.[11]
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - Increasing wind shear stemming from the large circulation of Hurricane Alex over the Gulf of Mexico causes Darby to weaken to a Category 2 hurricane about 290abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[12]
- 18:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. PDT) - Hurricane Celia weakens to Category 1 strength about 745 mi (1,200 km) west-southwest of Socorro Island.[11]
June 27
- 00:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. PDT, June 26) - Hurricane Celia weakens to a tropical storm roughly 790 mi (1,270 km) west-southwest of Socorro Island.[11]
- 00:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. CDT, June 26) - Hurricane Darby weakens to a Category 1 hurricane approximately 305abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[12]
- 06:00 UTC (1:00 a.m. CDT) - Hurricane Darby weakens to a tropical storm roughly 315abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[12]
June 28
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - After doubling back to the east, Tropical Storm Darby weakens to a tropical depression about 185abbr=onNaNabbr=on south of Acapulco, Mexico.[12]
- 18:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. PDT) - Tropical Storm Celia degenerates into a non-convective remnant low approximately 1,035 mi (1,665 km) west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.[11]
- 18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Darby degrades into a remnant low about 190abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico.[12]
July
July 14
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Six-E develops from a well-defined low about 330abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. It simultaneously reaches its peak intensity with winds of 35abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 1006 mbar (hPa; 1006mbar).[13]
July 16
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Six-E degenerates into a remnant low about 100abbr=onNaNabbr=on west-southwest of Socorro Island.[13]
August
August 6
- 00:00 UTC (7:00 p.m. PDT, August 5) - Tropical Depression Seven-E develops from a weak low roughly 160abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Acapulco, Mexico.[14]
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. PDT) - Tropical Depression Seven-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Estelle approximately 240abbr=onNaNabbr=on west of Acapulco, Mexico.[14]
August 8
- 00:00 UTC (6:00 p.m. MDT, August 7) - Tropical Storm Estelle reaches its peak intensity with winds of 65abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 994 mbar (hPa; 994mbar) while situated 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on southeast of Socorro Island.[14]
August 9
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Tropical Storm Estelle weakens to a tropical depression roughly 115abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Socorro Island.[14]
August 10
- 06:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Estelle degenerates into a remnant low about 170abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of Socorro Island.[14]
August 20
- 06:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Eight-E develops 185abbr=onNaNabbr=on west-southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico.[15]
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Eight-E reaches its peak intensity with winds of 35abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 1003 mbar (hPa; 1003mbar) while located about 285abbr=onNaNabbr=on west of Manzanillo, Mexico.[15]
August 21
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Eight-E degenerates into a non-convective remnant low approximately 190abbr=onNaNabbr=on southwest of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.[15]
- 1800 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Nine-E forms from an area of disturbed weather roughly 205abbr=onNaNabbr=on southeast of Salina Cruz, Mexico.[16]
August 22
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Nine-E strengthens into a tropical storm and receives the name Frank while situated about 165abbr=onNaNabbr=on south of Salina Cruz, Mexico.[16]
August 25
- 12:00 UTC (7:00 a.m. CDT) - Tropical Storm Frank intensifies into a Category 1 hurricane about 175abbr=onNaNabbr=on south of Manzanillo, Mexico.[16]
August 26
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Hurricane Frank reaches its peak intensity with winds of 90abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 978 mbar (hPa; 978mbar) approximately 90abbr=onNaNabbr=on southeast of Socorro Island.[16]
August 27
- 06:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. MDT) - Hurricane Frank makes its closest approach to Socorro Island, passing within 35abbr=onNaNabbr=on to the southwest.[16]
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Hurricane Frank weakens to a tropical storm roughly 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on west-northwest of Socorro Island.[16]
August 28
- 12:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Storm Frank weakens to a tropical depression about 145abbr=onNaNabbr=on north-northwest of Socorro Island.[16]
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Frank degenerates into a remnant low approximately 150abbr=onNaNabbr=on north-northwest of Socorro Island.[16]
September
September 3
- 00:00 UTC (6:00 p.m. MDT, September 2) - Tropical Depression Ten-E develops from a tropical wave about 255abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southeast of the southern tip of Baja California Sur. It simultaneously reaches its peak intensity with winds of 35abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 1003 mbar (hPa; 1003mbar).[17]
- 18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Eleven-E forms roughly 115abbr=onNaNabbr=on southeast of Salina Cruz, Mexico.[18]
September 4
- 07:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. CDT, September 3) - Tropical Depression Eleven-E makes landfall near Salina Cruz, Mexico, at its peak intensity with winds of 35abbr=onNaNabbr=on.[18]
- 12:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Ten-E degenerates into a remnant low roughly 185abbr=onNaNabbr=on west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.[17]
- 18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) - Tropical Depression Eleven-E degenerates into a remnant low while crossing the Isthmus of Tehuantepec.[18]
September 5
September 20
- 12:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Twelve-E develops from a tropical wave approximately 240abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[20]
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Twelve-E intensifies into Tropical Storm Georgette, the final named storm in the East Pacific proper, while located about 225abbr=onNaNabbr=on west of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.[20]
September 21
- 12:00 UTC (6:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Storm Georgette reaches its peak intensity with winds of 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a minimum pressure of 999 mbar (hPa; 999mbar).[20]
- 18:00 UTC (12:00 p.m. MDT) - Tropical Storm Georgette makes landfall near San José del Cabo, Mexico, with winds of 40abbr=onNaNabbr=on.[20]
September 22
- 00:00 UTC (6:00 p.m. MDT, September 21) - Tropical Storm Georgette weakens to a tropical depression shortly before emerging over the Gulf of California to the east of La Paz.[20]
- 22:00 UTC (4:00 p.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Georgette makes landfall near San Carlos, Mexico, with winds of 35abbr=onNaNabbr=on.[20]
September 23
- 06:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. MDT) - Tropical Depression Georgette dissipates over the mountainous terrain of northwestern Mexico.[20]
October
(No tropical cyclones developed in October).
November
(No tropical cyclones developed in November).
November 30
- The 2010 Central and Eastern Pacific hurricane seasons officially end.[2]
December
December 18
December 19
December 20
- 06:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. HST, December 19) - The subtropical storm again crosses the International Date Line, re-entering the basin with winds of 50abbr=onNaNabbr=on and a pressure of 997 mbar (hPa; 997mbar); around this time, the storm transitions to a tropical storm and is later assigned the name Omeka.[5] [21]
December 21
- 06:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. HST, December 20) - Tropical Storm Omeka makes its closest approach to land as a tropical cyclone, passing roughly 45abbr=onNaNabbr=on south-southeast of Lisianski Island, Hawaii.[21]
- 12:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. HST) - Tropical Storm Omeka degenerates into a non-convective remnant low approximately 90abbr=onNaNabbr=on northeast of Lisianski Island, Hawaii.[21]
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Stacy R. Stewart and John P. Cangialosi. Monthly Weather Review. September 2012. 140. 9. American Meteorological Society. Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Season of 2010. 10.1175/MWR-D-11-00152.1. 2,769–2,781. 2012MWRv..140.2769S . free.
- Book: Hurricane Research Division: Frequently Asked Questions. G: Tropical Cyclone Climatology. http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/tcfaqG.html. G1) When is hurricane season ?. Christopher W. Landsea. Neal Dorst. Erica Rule. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. June 2, 2011. June 22, 2015.
- Accumulated Cyclone Energy, broadly speaking, is a measure of the power of a hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs.
- Eric S. Blake. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July 1, 2010. June 28, 2010. Eastern Pacific Monthly Tropical Weather Summary for June 2010. Miami, Florida.
- Timothy A. Craig and Samuel Houston. Central Pacific Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. March 8, 2011. June 27, 2015. Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Omeka. Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Web site: Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters. 2015. June 28, 2015. International Disaster Database: Disaster List. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150708003828/http://emdat.be/disaster_list/index.html. July 8, 2015.
- Robbie Berg. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. May 28, 2015. June 27, 2015. Tropical Depression One-E Discussion Number 1. Miami, Florida.
- John L. Beven II. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. January 10, 2011. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP012010_Agatha}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Agatha]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Michael J. Brennan. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July 28, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP022010_Two-E}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Depression Two-E]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Robbie Berg. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July 31, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP032010_Blas}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Blas]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Todd B. Kimberlain. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. October 6, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP042010_Celia}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Celia]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Stacy R. Stewart. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. November 18, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP052010_Darby}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Darby]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Daniel P. Brown. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. August 24, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP062010_Six-E}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Depression Six-E]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Eric S. Blake. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. September 15, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP072010_Estelle}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Estelle]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Richard J. Pasch. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. January 24, 2011. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP082010_Eight-E}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Depression Eight-E]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Lixion A. Avila. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. October 5, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP092010_Frank}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Frank]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- John P. Cangialosi. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. October 28, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP102010_Ten-E}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Depression Ten-E]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- John L. Beven II. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. December 6, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP112010_Eleven-E}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Depression Eleven-E]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Lixion A. Avila. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. November 22, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=AL102010_Hermine}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Hermine]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Michael J. Brennan. National Hurricane Center. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. November 4, 2010. June 27, 2015. [{{NHC TCR url|id=EP122010_Georgette}} Tropical Cyclone Report: Tropical Storm Georgette]. PDF. Miami, Florida.
- Web site: Hurricane Research Division. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. July 2014. June 27, 2015. Northeast Pacific hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2).
