1974 Pacific hurricane season

none EPac 1974 1974 Pacific hurricane season summary map.png May 28, 1974 October 24, 1974 Maggie 928 120 1 25 18 11 3 21-31 4 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 1974 Atlantic hurricane season 1974 Pacific typhoon season 1974 North Indian Ocean cyclone season The 1974 Pacific hurricane season featured one of the most active periods of tropical cyclones on record with five storms existing simultaneously. The season officially started May 15 in the eastern Pacific, and June 1 in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeast Pacific Ocean. With 17 named storms and 11 hurricanes, this season was slightly above average. An additional tropical storm formed in the Central Pacific as well. The year also featured a period where six systems, Ione, Olive, Kirsten, Lorraine, Joyce, and Maggie, were all active at once on August 26, a very unusual occurrence. At the time, Olive was a Central Pacific storm that had weakened to a tropical depression while the other five were of at least tropical storm intensity simultaneously and remained so until early on August 27. Five storms were also active between the evening of August 23 and the morning of August 24. __TOC__ Season summary thumb|right|350 px|This weather satellite image (from left to right) of Tropical Cyclones Olive, Ione, Kirsten, Lorraine, and Joyce was taken on August 23, 1974 The overall activity of the 1974 season was near normal, with 25 tropical cyclones developing. Of these storms, 18 were named, 11 became hurricanes and 3 reached major hurricane status. Although the overall number of storms was normal, an exceptionally active period took place from August 19 through September 1. During this two-week span, six storms developed, five of which were active simultaneously on August 23: Ione, Joyce, Kirsten, Lorraine and Olive. Of the season's 447 bulletins, 139 were issued during this period. Systems Tropical Storm Aletta EPac Tropical Storm Aletta 1974.jpg Aletta 1974 track.png May 28 May 30 50 992 A tropical disturbance formed to the south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on May 24; sea surface temperatures (SST's) in the area were around 88 F C on. The disturbance slowly organized over the next 60 hours, as it was detaching from the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). On May 28, Tropical Storm Aletta formed. It recurved to the northeast and made landfall in western Mexico on May 30. Effects were minimal. Tropical Storm Blanca EPac Tropical Storm Blanca 1974.jpg Blanca 1974 track.png June 5 June 8 50 992 Blanca formed officially on June 5 and dissipated on June 8 due to surface temps being colder than the required 80 F for tropical activity. Blanca never had a chance to impact land and had it did at its peak intensity, it would have never done much as its peak wind speeds were 60 mph on. Blanca also was the 2nd named storm of the season starting the hurricane season off very weakly. The brunt of the season would start 2 months later in late August. Hurricane Connie EPac Hurricane Connie 1974.png Connie 1974 track.png June 7 June 22 110 942 Hurricane Connie was the first major hurricane. It took a bizarre, twisting path but never made landfall. Connie was never expected to make landfall because of where it formed and the path it took. Connie's track was unique with 2 major turns and potentially 1 loop. Hurricane Dolores EPac Doloresjune171974.png Dolores 1974 track.png June 14 June 17 70 973 Hurricane Dolores (1974) On June 13, a tropical disturbance south of Mexico showed signs of development. The following day, the system rapidly developed into Tropical Storm Dolores. By June 15, an eye-like feature appeared on satellite imagery as Dolores attained hurricane status. With peak winds of 80 mph on, the storm made landfall near Acapulco. Once onshore, Dolores rapidly dissipated and was last noted on June 17.Sharon Towry American Meteorological Society Monthly Weather Review 103 6 10.1175/1520-0493(1975)103<0550:ENPTCP>2.0.CO;2 Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones, 1974. Part 2 550–559 June 1975 1975MWRv..103..550T free Across Southwestern Mexico, Hurricane Dolores produced heavy rains that triggered widespread flooding and mudslides. Numerous roads sustained damage, separating communities from surrounding areas.Associated Press The Windsor Star June 18, 1974 October 20, 2011 Hurricane kills nine https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=d0Q_AAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20dolores&pg=1927%2C567172 40 At least 18 people were killed and 32 others were injured by the storm.Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres Secretaría De Gobernación 2011 October 20, 2011 Ciclones Tropicales http://www.cenapred.gob.mx/es/Investigacion/RHidrometeorologicos/FenomenosMeteorologicos/CiclonesTropicales/ es dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120425081343/http://www.cenapred.gob.mx/es/Investigacion/RHidrometeorologicos/FenomenosMeteorologicos/CiclonesTropicales/ April 25, 2012 Additionally, an estimated 173,000 people were affected across the country.United Press International The Vancouver Sun June 19, 1974 October 20, 2011 Hurricane kills 22 in Acapulco https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CzFmAAAAIBAJ&dq=hurricane%20dolores&pg=3227%2C4078200 48 Tropical Storm Eileen EPac EileenJuly319741613UTC.png Eileen 1974 track.png June 30 July 3 35 997 In late June, a tropical disturbance developed well to the southwest of Mexico. By June 30, sufficient convection had developed over a newly formed area of low pressure to warrant advisories on a tropical depression. Tracking northward, the system gradually attained tropical storm intensity. Due to the lack of direct observations, Eileen's intensity was based solely on satellite estimates; these estimates indicated the cyclone to have attained peak winds of 40 mph on and a minimum pressure of 997 mbar (hPa; 29.44 inHg). By July 2, Eileen entered a region of stable air, causing convection to diminish. The storm degenerated into a non-convective low late on July 3 as it turned northwestward. The remnants of Eileen were last noted on July 4 well to the southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Hurricane Francesca EPac FrancescaJuly1819741657UTC.gif Francesca 1974 track.png July 14 July 19 70 973 Francesca was a category 1 hurricane. It neared Baja California by the 17th but turned away before striking. Hurricane Gretchen EPac Hurricane Gretchen 1974.png Gretchen 1974 track.png July 17 July 21 85 982 Gretchen was a category 2 hurricane that threatened southern Baja California, but it turned away without affecting land. Tropical Storm Helga EPac Tropical Storm Helga satellite image, August 11, 1974.jpg Helga 1974 track.png August 10 August 13 40 990 Helga was a storm that did not affect land. Hurricane Ione EPac ione1974satellitepicture.gif Ione 1974 track.png August 20 August 31 100 954 On August 19, a tropical disturbance was identified near the Intertropical Convergence Zone well to the east-southeast of Hawaii. The next morning, the system developed into a tropical depression as it tracked towards the west-northwest. Later on August 20, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Ione. However, cold air from a nearby stratocumulus field became entrained in Ione's circulation, causing it to weaken to a depression 24 hours later. Now moving towards the west-southwest, the system remained weak for nearly two days. On August 23, Ione rapidly intensified as convection deepened and an eye feature appeared on satellite imagery. The storm subsequently attained hurricane status that evening before crossing 140°W and entering the Central Pacific. Intensification slowed on August 24 as Ione attained winds in excess of 100 mph on. Over the next day, the system turned northward and attained its peak intensity late on August 25 with winds of 115 mph on.Central Pacific Hurricane Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 4, 2007 October 7, 2021 The 1974 Central Pacific Tropical Cyclone Season https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/CP1974_Seasonal_TCR.pdf Additionally, the storm attained an estimated minimum central pressure of 954 mbar (hPa; 28.17 inHg). Shortly after reaching this intensity, Ione weakened as it began a U-shaped curve, tracking northeast before turning towards the southwest. During the afternoon of August 27, the system was downgraded to a tropical storm. By August 29, Ione further weakened to a tropical depression and acquired a westward track before dissipating south of Hawaii on August 31. Tropical Storm Olive EPac Olive 1974-08-23.gif Olive 1974 track.png August 22 August 25 40 1009 On August 21, just one day after Ione formed, another disturbance formed along the ITCZ and developed into a tropical depression the following day. Tracking generally towards the west, the system slowly organized. By August 23, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Olive well to the south of Hawaii. Olive briefly attained winds of 45 mph on before weakening to a tropical depression on August 24. Convection waned for the next 30 hours and Olive degenerated into a disturbance on August 25. The remnant vortex of the storm was last noted on August 26 roughly 210 mi (340 km) southeast of Johnston Island. Hurricane Joyce EPac Joyce 1974-08-23.gif Joyce 1974 track.png August 22 August 27 75 973 Joyce was a weak hurricane that did not affect land. Hurricane Kirsten EPac Kirsten1974satelliteimage.jpg Kirsten 1974 track.png August 22 August 29 75 973 Hurricane Kirsten took an erratic path. After traveling northwest for a while, it reversed direction and backtracked to almost where it started. It then reversed direction again and underwent a Fujiwhara interaction with Hurricane Ione. Tropical Storm Lorraine EPac Lorraine 1974-08-23.gif Lorraine 1974 track.png August 23 August 28 45 987 Tropical Storm Lorraine took an erratic, Z-shaped path during its life. It formed on August 23 and dissipated August 28. Hurricane Maggie EPac MaggieAug2719741534UTC.gif Maggie 1974 track.png August 26 September 1 120 928 Hurricane Maggie was the strongest storm of the season. It reached Category 4 but never threatened land. Hurricane Norma EPac Norma 1974-09-10 1602Z.png Norma 1974 track.png September 9 September 10 65 987 On September 7, a large area of thunderstorms was identified southwest of Mexico. Over the following two days, the system gradually organized as it moved northwest and was declared a tropical depression on September 9. Upon being classified a depression, the storm acquired a more northerly track and soon attained tropical storm status. The newly christened Tropical Storm Norma maintained a general northward track towards Mexico. On September 10, Norma briefly strengthened into a hurricane, with peak winds estimated at 75 mph on before making landfall west of Acapulco. Within hours of moving onshore, the storm rapidly deteriorated and dissipated later that day. Heavy rains produced by Norma triggered mudslides in and around Acapulco, resulting in three fatalities. Hurricane Orlene EPac Orlene1974.gif Orlene 1974 track.png September 22 September 24 90 978 On September 19, Category 2 Hurricane Fifi made landfall in Placencia, Belize just below its peak intensity, becoming the third deadliest Atlantic hurricane on record. Fifi rapidly weakened over land, and dissipated over land on late September 21.Deelan Jariwala Aaron Blonsky Sandy Delgado Ella McConnell Chris Landsea Hurricane Research Division, AOML, NOAA November 2025 September 26, 2026 Reanalysis of the 1974 Atlantic Hurricane Season https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/hurdat/metadata-1971-1975.pdf A day later, a large-scale circulation associated with Fifi's remnants led to the formation of a system that would later become Tropical Storm Orlene. Orlene gradually intensified as it hugged the coast of Western Mexico, becoming a hurricane again on September 23 as it began recurving to the north-northeast. Orlene reached Category 2 intensity as a small eye developed and the storm made landfall at peak intensity in northwestern Mexico. It rapidly weakened over land and became a remnant low just six hours after landfall. The low continued for several more hours before dissipating over the mountains of Northern Mexico.Sharon Towry National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1975 November 8, 2009 Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones in 1974: Part 2 http://ams.allenpress.com/archive/1520-0493/103/6/pdf/i1520-0493-103-6-550.pdf September 2010 H3llBotHurricane Specialists Division National Hurricane Center 2009 November 8, 2009 Eastern Pacific Best Tracks, 1949–2008 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2008_epa.txt dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090715133317/http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/tracks1949to2008_epa.txt July 15, 2009 There were no reports of casualties or major damage in Mexico from Orlene, although reports from Acapulco indicated that 11 in mm on of rain fell within a six-hour span on September 22.National Hurricane Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1975 November 8, 2009 Hurricane Fifi Preliminary Report Page 2 https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1974-prelim/fifi/prelim02.gifNational Hurricane Center National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1975 November 8, 2009 Hurricane Fifi Preliminary Report Page One https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/storm_wallets/atlantic/atl1974-prelim/fifi/prelim01.gif Remnant moisture from the hurricane brought minor rainfall to portions of Arizona as well.Staff Writer The Prescott Courier September 24, 1974 November 8, 2009 Today's Weather https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iAcLAAAAIBAJ&pg=7232,4989170&dq=hurricane+orlene&hl=en https://archive.today/20120712030845/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iAcLAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WVADAAAAIBAJ&pg=7232,4989170&dq=hurricane+orlene&hl=en dead July 12, 2012 Hurricane Patricia EPac Hurricane Patricia 1974.jpg Patricia 1974 track.png October 4 October 15 80 964 On October 3, an area of disturbed weather was identified several hundred miles southwest of El Salvador. Over the following day, an area of low pressure developed within the disturbance and was subsequently declared a tropical depression. Tracking west-northwestward, the depression eventually intensified into Tropical Storm Patricia on October 6 in light of a significant in convection. The next day, a ragged eye developed and the storm strengthened into a hurricane. Intensification continued through the evening of October 9, at which time Patricia attained its peak intensity with winds estimated at 90 mph on.The peak intensity of Patricia is based on the values listed in the season's Monthly Weather Review. According to the Hurricane Database, the storm attained peak winds of 90 mph on and a minimum pressure of 964 mbar (hPa; 28.47 inHg). "nb" "PatriciaPeak" Within a day of peaking, the hurricane turned southwestward and weakened. Gradual degradation of the storm took place over the next few days with little convection present over the system by October 11. By then, Patricia had weakened to a tropical depression. On October 15, Patricia was declassified a tropical cyclone as only a low-level circulation devoid of convection remained. The remnants of the storm were last noted on October 17 well to the east-southeast of Hawaii. Tropical Storm Rosalie EPac Tropical Storm Rosalie 1974.jpg Rosalie 1974 track.png October 20 October 24 55 987 On October 18, pronounced thunderstorm activity developed along the ITCZ. Gradually, a tropical disturbance formed within this region well to the west-southwest of Mexico. During the morning of October 20, convection rapidly increased and the system was classified as Tropical Storm Rosalie. Visible satellite imagery revealed only an "oval-shaped" area of thunderstorms with no banding features. Tracking generally towards the west-southwest, Rosalie attained its peak intensity with winds estimated around 65 mph on on October 21. Later that day, the system neared an area of more stable air. Gradual weakening ensued over the following days, with Rosalie degrading to tropical depression status on October 23. Void of convection, the remnant swirl of Rosalie was last noted on October 24 well to the southeast of Hawaii. Other systems In addition to the eighteen named storms, there were seven tropical depression during the course of the season.Robert A. Baum American Meteorological Society Monthly Weather Review 103 4 10.1175/1520-0493(1975)103<0301:ENPTCP>2.0.CO;2 Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones, 1974. Part 1 301–304 April 1975 1975MWRv..103..301B free July 9 – 13, 35 mph onInternational Best Track Archive 2011 December 8, 2011 1974 Missing (1974190N16242) http://storm5.atms.unca.edu/browse-ibtracs/browseIbtracs.php?name=v03r02-1974190N16242 https://web.archive.org/web/20120426002502/http://storm5.atms.unca.edu/browse-ibtracs/browseIbtracs.php?name=v03r02-1974190N16242 2012-04-26 dead July 18 – 20, 35 mph onInternational Best Track Archive 2011 December 8, 2011 1974 Missing (1974199N08262) http://storm5.atms.unca.edu/browse-ibtracs/browseIbtracs.php?name=v03r02-1974199N08262 https://web.archive.org/web/20120426002506/http://storm5.atms.unca.edu/browse-ibtracs/browseIbtracs.php?name=v03r02-1974199N08262 2012-04-26 dead July 21 – 26, 35 mph onInternational Best Track Archive 2011 December 8, 2011 1974 Missing (1974202N10263) http://storm5.atms.unca.edu/browse-ibtracs/browseIbtracs.php?name=v03r02-1974202N10263 https://web.archive.org/web/20120426002510/http://storm5.atms.unca.edu/browse-ibtracs/browseIbtracs.php?name=v03r02-1974202N10263 2012-04-26 dead July 31 – August 11, 35 mph on, 1001 mbar (hPa; 29.56 inHg) August 5 – 7, 35 mph onInternational Best Track Archive 2011 December 8, 2011 1974 Missing (1974217N12226) http://storm5.atms.unca.edu/browse-ibtracs/browseIbtracs.php?name=v03r02-1974217N12226 https://web.archive.org/web/20120426002514/http://storm5.atms.unca.edu/browse-ibtracs/browseIbtracs.php?name=v03r02-1974217N12226 2012-04-26 dead September 3 – 7, 35 mph on, 1001 mbar (hPa; 29.56 inHg) October 14 – 15, 30 mph on, 1004 mbar (hPa; 29.65 inHg) Storm names The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Pacific Ocean east of 140°W in 1974.https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/NatHurricaneOpsPlans/Nat.HurrOpsPlan-74-5.pdf 102, 104 NOAA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research Washington, D.C. National Hurricane Operations Plan June 1974 February 27, 2024 It was the same list used during the 1970 season,https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/general/lib/lib1/nhclib/Publications/NatHurricaneOpsPlans/HOPs-1970.pdf 97 NOAA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research Washington, D.C. National Hurricane Operations Plan May 1970 February 27, 2024 except for Aletta and Kirsten, which replaced Adele and Kristen, respectively.https://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2008/summ0711a.htm Monthly Global Tropical Cyclone Summary: November 2007 First Installment Gary Padgett July 11, 2008 Australian Severe Weather February 27, 2024 No names were retired following the season; however, an overhaul of the naming system in 1978 to include male names resulted in this list being discarded.Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names National Hurricane Center Miami, Florida February 27, 2024 https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames_history.shtml Aletta Blanca Connie Dolores Eileen Francesca Gretchen Helga Ione* Joyce Kirsten Lorraine Maggie Norma Orlene Patricia Rosalie Selma Toni Vivian Winona One named storm, listed below, formed in the North Pacific between 140°W and the International Date Line in 1974. At the time, storm names within this region were assigned by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center on Guam. Any named storm in the table above that crossed into the area during the season is noted (*).Pao-Shin Chu Peng Wu University of Hawaii-Manoa 2008 February 27, 2024 Climatic Atlas of Tropical Cyclone Tracks over the Central North Pacific http://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/czm/initiative/hazard/climatic_atlas_of_tropical_cyclone.pdf October 23, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141023054832/http://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/czm/initiative/hazard/climatic_atlas_of_tropical_cyclone.pdf live Olive Season effects This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1974 Pacific hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1974 USD. center1974 Pacific hurricane storm Aletta May 28 – 29 60 (95) 992 None None 0 storm Blanca June 5 – 8 60 (95) 992 None None 0 cat3 Connie June 7 – 22 125 (205) 942 None None 0 cat1 Dolores June 14 – 17 80 (130) 973 Southwestern Mexico (Guerrero) 4 18 – 28 storm Eileen June 30 – July 3 40 (65) 997 None None 0 depression Depression July 9 – 13 35 (55) N/A None None 0 cat1 Francesca July 14 – 19 80 (130) 973 None None 0 cat2 Gretchen July 17 – 21 100 (155) 987 None None 0 depression Depression July 18 – 20 35 (55) N/A None None 0 depression Depression July 21 – 26 35 (55) N/A None None 0 depression Depression July 31 – August 11 35 (55) 1001 None None 0 depression Depression August 5 – 7 35 (55) N/A None None 0 storm Helga August 10 – 13 45 (75) 990 None None 0 cat3 Ione August 20 – 31 115 (185) 954 None None 0 storm Olive August 22 – 25 45 (75) 1009 None None 0 cat1 Joyce August 22 – 27 85 (140) 973 None None 0 cat1 Kirsten August 22 – 29 85 (140) 973 None None 0 storm Lorraine August 23 – 28 50 (85) 987 None None 0 cat4 Maggie August 26 – September 1 140 (220) 928 None None 0 depression Depression September 3 – 7 35 (55) 1001 None None 0 cat1 Norma September 9 – 10 75 (120) 978 Southwestern Mexico (Guerrero) N/A 3 cat2 Orlene September 22 – 24 105 (165) 987 Southwestern Mexico, Western Mexico, Northwest Mexico (Sinaloa) N/A 0 cat1 Patricia October 4 – 15 90 (150) 964 None None 0 depression Depression October 14 – 15 30 (45) 1004 None None 0 storm Rosalie October 20 – 24 65 (100) 987 None None 0 25 May 28 – October 24 140 (220) 928 4 21 – 31 See also Tropical cyclones List of Pacific hurricanes Pacific hurricane season 1974 Atlantic hurricane season 1974 Pacific typhoon season 1974 North Indian Ocean cyclone season Australian cyclone seasons: 1973–74, 1974–75 South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1973–74, 1974–75 South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1973–74, 1974–75 Notes nb References External links Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones, 1974. Part 1 Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones, 1974. Part 2 CPHC Season Summary Unisys Weather archive for the Eastern Pacific, 1974 1970 Pacific hurricane 1974 Category:Pacific hurricane seasons Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines