1984 Pacific hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | May 17, 1984 |
Last system dissipated | November 8, 1984 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Douglas |
• Maximum winds | 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 939 mbar (hPa; 27.73 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total storms | 21 |
Hurricanes | 13 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 7 |
Total fatalities | ≥24 |
Total damage | $140 million (1984 USD) |
Related articles | |
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.[1] 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.[2]
The drought-stricken Hawaiian Islands received beneficial rainfall from Hurricane Douglas in July and Tropical Storm Kenna in August. The remnants of hurricanes Iselle, Marie, Norbert, and Odile all contributed to enhanced precipitation across the Southwestern United States during the season, including snowfall in higher elevations; flash flooding killed one person in Texas. Hurricane Lowell attracted widespread coverage for damaging the Blue Falcon and forcing the rescue of its 23 crewmembers. In September, torrential rains from Hurricane Odile in Southern Mexico severely damaged crops, inflicted water damage to about 900 homes, and left thousands of residents displaced or without normal services. The storm killed at least 21 people. Multiple hurricanes contributed to rough surf along the California coastline, resulting in one death and hundreds of water rescues.