2021 Pacific hurricane season

2021 Pacific hurricane season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedMay 9, 2021
Last system dissipatedNovember 10, 2021
Strongest storm
NameFelicia
 • Maximum winds145 mph (230 km/h)
(1-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure945 mbar (hPa; 27.91 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions19
Total storms19
Hurricanes8
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)
2
Total fatalities13 total
Total damage$426.1 million (2021 USD)
Related articles
Pacific hurricane seasons
2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

The 2021 Pacific hurricane season was a moderately active Pacific hurricane season, with above-average activity in terms of number of named storms, but below-average activity in terms of major hurricanes,[nb 1] as 19 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes formed in all.[nb 2][2] It also had a near-normal accumulated cyclone energy (ACE). The season officially began on May 15, 2021 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (east of from 140°W), and on June 1, 2021, in the Central Pacific (from 140°W to the International Date Line) in the Northern Hemisphere. The season ended in both regions on November 30, 2021. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in these regions of the Pacific and are adopted by convention.[3] However, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as illustrated by the formation of Tropical Storm Andres on May 9, which was the earliest forming tropical storm on record in the Eastern Pacific. Conversely, 2021 was the second consecutive season in which no tropical cyclones formed in the Central Pacific.

In June, Tropical Storm Dolores made landfall near the border of the Mexican states of Colima and Michoacán, killing three people and resulting in US$50 million[nb 3] in insured losses. Just a week later, Hurricane Enrique paralleled the west coast of Mexico, causing an additional two fatalities and a similar amount of damage. In August, Hurricane Nora made landfall on the state of Jalisco and paralleled the Pacific coast of Mexico until dissipating, resulting in an estimated $100 million in damage and three more deaths. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Olaf made landfall on Baja California Sur as a Category 2 hurricane. In October, Hurricane Pamela struck Nayarit at Category 1 intensity, leaving four people missing and severe flooding. Later that month, Hurricane Rick struck near the Michoacán-Guerrero border at peak intensity as a strong Category 2 hurricane. Altogether, five systems made landfall in Mexico in 2021, the greatest number since 2018.[2]

  1. ^ "Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Masters, Jeff; Hanson, Bob (October 24, 2021). "Category 1 Hurricane Rick poised for a Monday morning landfall in southwestern Mexico". New Haven, Connecticut: Yale Climate Connections. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
  3. ^ "Hurricane Season Information". Frequently Asked Questions About Hurricanes. Miami, Florida: NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. June 1, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2022.


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