&sq=&lang=&file=File:Howard_2004-09-02_1750Z.jpg) Hurricane Howard at peak intensity on September 2 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 30, 2004 |
| Dissipated | September 5, 2004 |
| Category 4 major hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 140 mph (220 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 943 mbar (hPa); 27.85 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | None reported |
| Areas affected | Baja California Peninsula, California, and Arizona |
| IBTrACS | |
Part of the 2004 Pacific hurricane season | |
Hurricane Howard was a powerful Category 4 hurricane which produced large swells along the coasts of the Baja California Peninsula and southern California. The cyclone was the eighth named storm, fourth hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 2004 Pacific hurricane season. Howard originated out of a tropical wave off the coast of Mexico on August 30. Traveling towards the northwest, the storm gradually strengthened, becoming a hurricane on September 1 and reaching its peak intensity the following day with winds of 140 mph (220 km/h). Decreasing sea surface temperatures then caused the storm to weaken. By September 4, Howard was downgraded to a tropical storm. The next day, it degenerated into a non-convective remnant low-pressure area which persisted for another five days before dissipating over open waters.
Although the storm never made landfall, the fringe effects of the storm produced significant flooding across the Baja California Peninsula which damaged agricultural land and dozens of homes. Howard also produced large swells which reached 18 ft (5.4 m) along the Baja coastline and 10 ft (3 m) along the California coastline. About 1,000 lifeguard rescues took place in California due to the waves. Moisture from the storm also enhanced rainfall in parts of Arizona, leading to minor accumulations.