The 1989 Pacific hurricane season was the first near normal season since
1981
Events January
* January 1
** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union.
** Palau becomes a self-governing territory.
* January 10 – Salvadoran Civil War: The FMLN launches its first major offensiv ...
. The season officially started on May 15, 1989, in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1989, in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1989. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
A total of 18 storms and 9 hurricanes formed, which was near long-term averages. Four hurricanes reached major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher) on the
Saffir–Simpson scale
The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) classifies hurricanes—which in the Western Hemisphere are tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms—into five categories distinguished by ...
.
Land impacting storms include Hurricanes Cosme, Kiko, and Raymond. Cosme crossed over Mexico and killed 30 people. Hurricane Kiko made landfall on the
Gulf of California
The Gulf of California ( es, Golfo de California), also known as the Sea of Cortés (''Mar de Cortés'') or Sea of Cortez, or less commonly as the Vermilion Sea (''Mar Bermejo''), is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean that separates the Baja Ca ...
side of the
Baja California Peninsula as a major hurricane. Hurricane Raymond was the strongest storm of the season, but weakened significantly before landfall.
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Seasonal summary
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from:09/01/1989 till:15/01/1989 color:TS text:"Winona (TS)"
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from:31/05/1989 till:05/06/1989 color:TS text:"Adolph (TS)"
from:15/06/1989 till:20/06/1989 color:C1 text:"Barbara (C1)"
from:18/06/1989 till:23/06/1989 color:C1 text:" Cosme (C1)"
from:09/07/1989 till:14/07/1989 color:TD text:"Four-E (TD)"
from:10/07/1989 till:16/07/1989 color:TD text:"Five-E (TD)"
from:11/07/1989 till:21/07/1989 color:C1 text:" Dalilia (C1)"
from:16/07/1989 till:18/07/1989 color:TD text:"Seven-E (TD)"
from:19/07/1989 till:21/07/1989 color:TS text:"Erick (TS)"
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from:23/07/1989 till:28/07/1989 color:TS text:"Flossie (TS)"
from:30/07/1989 till:05/08/1989 color:C1 text:"Gil (C1)"
from:14/08/1989 till:25/08/1989 color:C3 text:"Ismael (C3)"
from:15/08/1989 till:17/08/1989 color:TS text: "Henriette (TS)"
from:21/08/1989 till:25/08/1989 color:TS text:"Juliette (TS)"
from:25/08/1989 till:29/08/1989 color:C3 text:" Kiko (C3)"
from:27/08/1989 till:06/09/1989 color:C1 text:"Lorena (C1)"
from:28/08/1989 till:31/08/1989 color:TS text:"Manuel (TS)"
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from:03/09/1989 till:07/09/1989 color:TS text:"Narda (TS)"
from:08/09/1989 till:16/09/1989 color:C4 text:" Octave (C4)"
from:21/09/1989 till:25/09/1989 color:TS text:"Priscilla (TS)"
from:25/09/1989 till:27/09/1989 color:TD text:"Twenty-E (TD)"
from:25/09/1989 till:05/10/1989 color:C4 text:" Raymond (C4)"
from:03/10/1989 till:04/10/1989 color:TD text:
barset:break
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from:07/10/1989 till:08/10/1989 color:TD text:"Twenty Two-E (TD)"
from:15/10/1989 till:17/10/1989 color:TD text:"Twenty Three-E (TD)"
from:18/10/1989 till:19/10/1989 color:TD text:"Twenty Four-E (TD)"
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from:01/01/1989 till:01/02/1989 text:January
from:01/02/1989 till:01/03/1989 text:February
from:01/03/1989 till:01/04/1989 text:March
from:01/04/1989 till:01/05/1989 text:April
from:01/05/1989 till:01/06/1989 text:May
from:01/06/1989 till:01/07/1989 text:June
from:01/07/1989 till:01/08/1989 text:July
from:01/08/1989 till:01/09/1989 text:August
from:01/09/1989 till:01/10/1989 text:September
from:01/10/1989 till:01/11/1989 text:October
from:01/11/1989 till:01/12/1989 text:November
Overall, the season continued the general trend in the 1980s of near to above-average seasons in the East Pacific.
Seventeen cyclones formed. Eight peaked at tropical storm strength. Nine systems became hurricanes, of which four were major hurricanes at Category 3 intensity or higher on the
Saffir–Simpson scale
The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) classifies hurricanes—which in the Western Hemisphere are tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms—into five categories distinguished by ...
. On August 28, three systems were active, one of a few times when there has been three tropical cyclones active simultaneously (Kiko, Lorena, and Manuel) in the east Pacific (west of 140°W). Despite the activity this season, no named storms formed in October. This was the second consecutive season this happened.
Systems
Tropical Storm Winona
During the second week of January, an upper-level trough located east of
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
created an area of divergence to its southeast, allowing an area of low pressure to develop alongside deep convection. Initially, the system was hampered by wind shear as it moved west-northwestward to the south of Hawaii; however, by January 11, the system was able to maintain convection over its center and was classified as a tropical depression. On January 13, it was estimated in post-storm analysis to have become a tropical storm at an unprecedented . Meteorologists at the time struggled to forecast the storm as climatological forecast guidance (modeling based on previous cyclones), was not available due to the uniqueness of Winona. On January 15, the system crossed the
International Date Line
The International Date Line (IDL) is an internationally accepted demarcation on the surface of Earth, running between the South and North Poles and serving as the boundary between one calendar day and the next. It passes through the Pacific O ...
and entered the Western Pacific basin.
As a tropical depression, Winona brought heavy rains to portions of Hawaii, triggering flash flooding on a few islands. No damage resulted from the floods. After becoming a tropical storm, the system brushed Wake Island, bringing gusty winds and moderate rainfall. Several days later, the storm passed near the
Mariana Islands
The Mariana Islands (; also the Marianas; in Chamorro: ''Manislan Mariånas'') are a crescent-shaped archipelago comprising the summits of fifteen longitudinally oriented, mostly dormant volcanic mountains in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, betw ...
and
Guam
Guam (; ch, Guåhan ) is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point and territory of the United States (reckoned from the geographic cent ...
, bringing tropical storm-force wind gusts and heavy rainfall. Minor damage resulted from Winona but there was no loss of life. Operationally, this system was not classified a tropical storm until January 16, thus it was not warned upon by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center during its early stages.
Tropical Storm Adolph
The first storm of the season developed out of a weak
area of low pressure
In meteorology, a low-pressure area, low area or low is a region where the atmospheric pressure is lower than that of surrounding locations. Low-pressure areas are commonly associated with inclement weather (such as cloudy, windy, with possible ...
situated about 570 mi (925 km) south-southwest of
Acapulco
Acapulco de Juárez (), commonly called Acapulco ( , also , nah, Acapolco), is a city and major seaport in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semicircular bay and has bee ...
, Mexico. Tracking towards the west, the circulation briefly dissipated on May 30, before redeveloping the following day into
Tropical Depression
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depend ...
One-E.
A
ridge of high pressure north of the system steered it towards the west-northwest. By 0600 UTC on June 1, the
National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is the division of the United States' NOAA/National Weather Service responsible for tracking and predicting tropical weather systems between the Prime Meridian and the 140th meridian west poleward to the 3 ...
(NHC) upgraded the depression to a tropical storm and gave it the name Adolph.
Adolph continued to strengthen until early on June 2, at which time it reached its peak intensity with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 994 mbar (hPa).
Shortly after peaking, cool, dry air became entrained in the circulation, preventing further intensification. Early on June 3, Adolph weakened slightly due to unfavorable conditions.
Later that day, Adolph briefly re-intensified.
On June 4, strong
wind shear
Wind shear (or windshear), sometimes referred to as wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and/or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Atmospheric wind shear is normally described as either vertical or horizontal ...
displaced convection associated with the storm to the west of the center of circulation; this resulted in Adolph weakening to a tropical depression by 1800 UTC that day, and Adolph persisted until June 5 at which time it dissipated.
Hurricane Barbara
On June 10, an area of disturbed weather was located several hundred miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico, and the system slowed to a westward drift. After gradually becoming better organized, the NHC estimated that the wave spawned Tropical Depression Two-E around 1800 UTC on June 15.
Initially, the depression towards the northwest before a
ridge of high pressure situated over Mexico caused the storm to turn towards the west-northwest. Based on improving satellite presentation, the NHC upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Barbara.
With favorable conditions, Barbara continued to intensify, attaining hurricane-status roughly 24 hours after being named.
Six hours later, the storm reached its peak intensity with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h).
Satellite images early on June 18 showed that cool, dry air was becoming entrained into the northern
inflow
Inflow may refer to:
* Inflow (hydrology), the water entering a body of water
* Inflow (meteorology)
Inflow is the flow of a fluid into a large collection of that fluid. Within meteorology, inflow normally refers to the influx of warmth and moi ...
of the storm and Barbara was nearing cooler waters. These factors led to the storm weakening below hurricane intensity by 0000 UTC on June 19.
Wind shear
Wind shear (or windshear), sometimes referred to as wind gradient, is a difference in wind speed and/or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere. Atmospheric wind shear is normally described as either vertical or horizontal ...
at this time also began to increase, displacing all convection associated with the storm to the northeast of the center. By June 20, the former hurricane was further downgraded to a tropical depression. The NHC issued their final advisory on the system early on June 21; however, the remnants of the storm persisted until June 27.
Hurricane Cosme
On June 18 a tropical disturbance formed several hundred miles off the coast of Mexico. Ships in the vicinity of the storm, in addition to satellite images, indicated that the disturbance had developed
into Tropical Depression Three-E around 1800 UTC. Remaining nearly stationary, the depression gradually strengthened into a tropical storm by June 20, receiving the name ''Cosme'' at that time. Early on June 21, Cosme began to track towards the north and intensify.
Around 1200 UTC, Cosme strengthened into a
Category 1 hurricane on the
Saffir–Simpson scale
The Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS) classifies hurricanes—which in the Western Hemisphere are tropical cyclones that exceed the intensities of tropical depressions and tropical storms—into five categories distinguished by ...
.
Several hours later, Cosme reached its peak intensity.
Late on June 21, the center of the hurricane made
landfall
Landfall is the event of a storm moving over land after being over water. More broadly, and in relation to human travel, it refers to 'the first land that is reached or seen at the end of a journey across the sea or through the air, or the fact ...
on the Mexican coast, just east of Acapulco with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h).
The low associated with the former hurricane was last identified near
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville () is a city in Cameron County in the U.S. state of Texas. It is on the western Gulf Coast in South Texas, adjacent to the border with Matamoros, Mexico. The city covers , and has a population of 186,738 as of the 2020 census. It ...
.
Cosme brought heavy rains, which killed at least 30 people due to drowning.
Many
adobe
Adobe ( ; ) is a building material made from earth and organic materials. is Spanish for ''mudbrick''. In some English-speaking regions of Spanish heritage, such as the Southwestern United States, the term is used to refer to any kind of e ...
homes were destroyed, but a specific cost of damage is not known. The highest rainfall recorded in relation to Cosme was in Yautepec San Bartolo, Mexico.
Tropical Depression Four-E
The fourth tropical cyclone of the season formed as a well-organized depression on July 9. Deep convection associated with the system indicated that intensification into a tropical storm was possible. The system track generally westward in response to high-pressure system to the north. On July 10, the depression quickly became disorganized, with only a small area of convection around the center remaining by midday. Although the depression was nearly at tropical storm intensity, the NHC held off on upgrading it due to its proximity to Tropical Depression Five-E. However, the system failed to intensify.
By July 11, the depression entered the Central Pacific hurricane center's area of responsibility. Tracking generally northwest, the system slowly weakened before dissipating on July 14 to the south of Hawaii.
Tropical Depression Five-E
On July 10, a tropical depression formed far from land. Upon formation, there was uncertainty of the location of center.
Shortly thereafter, the system became sheared and further intensification was no longer anticipated.
On July 11, the low-level center became displaced form the deep convection.
the next day, the center was relocated, and moved to the west. While the NHC noted the possibility of intensification, the depression was forecasted to dissipate in 36 hours.
It failed to intensify,
and moved into the
Central Pacific on July 14. The fast-moving tropical depression dissipated two days later. The remnants of the depression passed far to the south of Hawaii, thus there was no damage.
Hurricane Dalilia
On July 9, a defined low-pressure system formed south of Baja California and increased convective activity led to the NHC classifying it Tropical Depression Six-E on July 11. About 24 hours later, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Dalilia.
By July 13, Dalilia had intensified into a minimal hurricane as it tracked generally toward the northwest. Two days later, the storm took a nearly due west track, which it maintained until July 19.
Although the storm tracked near cool waters, a well-developed outflow allowed it to maintain hurricane-intensity. Shortly before crossing into the Central Pacific basin, the storm reached its peak intensity with winds of 90 mph (150 km/h) and a central pressure of 977 mbar (hPa; ).
After crossing
140°W, Dalilia weakened to a minimal hurricane. The storm maintained this intensity until July 19, at which time the system slowed and turned northwest. The following day, the weakening tropical storm brushed the Hawaiian Islands to the south, eventually curving away from the island chain on July 21. Later that day, Dalilia further weakened to a tropical depression, with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center issuing their final advisory at that time. The remnants of the former hurricane continued to track northwest.
While tracking near the Hawaiian islands, Dalilia produced waves up to along south-facing coastlines. Along the coasts of Ka'u and South Kona, winds gusted up to 45 mph (75 km/h); the winds caused minor damage Along the southeast slopes of
Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa ( or ; Hawaiian: ; en, Long Mountain) is one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The largest subaerial volcano (as opposed to subaqueous volcanoes) in both mass and ...
, heavy rains caused minor flooding which forced transit officials to shut down several roads. Localized areas received rainfall in excess of .
Tropical Depression Seven-E
On July 16, an area of disturbed weather located organized into a tropical depression. Upon formation, the NHC did not anticipate significant intensification due to it close distance to both cooler waters and Hurricane Dalilia.
The next day, however, the center became difficult to locate and the system was no longer forecast to intensity. By the night, only minimal deep convection remained. The depression soon moved into cold water and as such the system was expected to dissipate within 24 hours. It dissipated the next day.
The remnants of this system contributed to a surge in the monsoon trough that led to the formation of Tropical Storm Erick.
This system never impacted land, and thus no damage or deaths were reported.
Tropical Storm Erick
On July 16, there was a surge in convection in the monsoon trough. The most concentrated area soon separated for the trough and by July 19,
satellite imagery
Satellite images (also Earth observation imagery, spaceborne photography, or simply satellite photo) are images of Earth collected by imaging satellites operated by governments and businesses around the world. Satellite imaging companies sell ima ...
indicated an area of deep convection that was located nearly away from Mexico. Early that day, the system was upgraded to a tropical depression. Upon becoming a
tropical cyclone
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system characterized by a low-pressure center, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depend ...
, only slight intensification was anticipated.
The system intensified to a tropical storm 24 hours after forming. Erick soon moved into cooler waters. This quickly weakened the cyclone and was downgraded to a tropical depression on July 20. It dissipated the next day, without ever impacting any land masses.
Tropical Storm Flossie
Flossie originated from a tropical wave that entered the Pacific Ocean on July 20. The system began to show signs of organization two days later. Continuing to organize, the system was upgraded Tropical Depression Nine-E on July 23.
Despite being located over warm waters, only gradual intensification was anticipated.
It strengthened into Tropical Storm Flossie the next day.
Shortly thereafter the upgraded, convection began to diminish.
The cyclone then drifted northwest. The upper-level environment rapidly changed, and the cyclones convection became disorganized. The convection separated from the center of circulation. The cluster of convection developed a new center of circulation on July 24. The original center drifted away from Flossie for 12 hours before dissipating. The new center, which was still a tropical storm, drifted northwest. Flossie then encountered an unfavorable environment, and weakened into a depression on July 25. Flossie continued drifting to the northwest until dissipating July 28, while just off the coast of the
Baja California Peninsula.
Despite its close distance to Mexico, no damage or deaths were reported.
Hurricane Gil
Gil formed from an area of disturbed weather located near the Mexico–
Guatemala
Guatemala ( ; ), officially the Republic of Guatemala ( es, República de Guatemala, links=no), is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico; to the northeast by Belize and the Caribbean; to the east by H ...
border developed a circulation in the
Gulf of Tehuantepec
Gulf of Tehuantepec () is a large body of water on the Pacific coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, southeastern Mexico, at . Many (but not all) Pacific hurricanes form in or near this body of water. A strong, gale-force wind called the Tehuan ...
and then dissipated. On July 30, the disturbance redeveloped a circulation and then convection. It paralleled the coast of Mexico and headed in a northwesterly direction.
The low continued to organize, and was upgraded into a tropical depression. Initially, there was some uncertain in the storms future path, and there was a possibility of the system recurving towards the coast.
It strengthened into a tropical storm on July 31.
The system continued to become better organized, with further intensification foretasted because the low was located over very warm waters;
and was upgraded into a hurricane that same day. Shortly thereafter, the cyclone developed an
eye
Eyes are organs of the visual system. They provide living organisms with vision, the ability to receive and process visual detail, as well as enabling several photo response functions that are independent of vision. Eyes detect light and conv ...
.
Gil was a hurricane for only about 30 hours,
and it began to encounter dry air.
By the August 1, Gil had lost hurricane intensity. It was downgraded to a tropical depression the next day. The cyclone dissipated on August 5.
The