User:Darren23/2009 EPAC List

The 2009 Pacific hurricane season officially began May 25, 2009 and officially ended November 30, 2009, which conventionally delimit the time of the year when most tropical cyclones form in the Northeast and Central Pacific basin.

The season started slowly with May having no storms recorded, and continued in June, with the first named storm, Andres forming on June 21, the latest forming first named storm in 40 years. Up to July, the season was well below average, having the sixth lowest activity in the basin since records began. However, August was one of the most active on record, with 8 storms and 3 hurricanes forming in the Northeast Pacific, the most active August since 1968.

The seasons most notable storm is Hurricane Jimena, which is the second strongest storm to make landfall in the west side of Baja California which made landfall at 100 mph (160 mph), only behind Hurricane Norbert. Other notable storms include Hurricane Andres, which brushed Mexico with tropical storm force winds, and Hurricane Felicia, which affected Hawaii as a remnant low with light rain and winds. Damage is currently estimated at $37.3 million (2009 USD).

Tropical Depression One-E
An area of disturbed weather persisted off the southwest Mexican coast on June 15. It moved slowly west-northwestward, developing an area of low pressure as it became better organized. The system continued to organize, and on June 17 the National Hurricane Center (NHC) noted the likelihood for tropical cyclogenesis, although at the time the circulation was not well-defined. Subsequently it organized further, and early on June 18, the NHC initiated advisories on the first tropical depression of the 2009 season about 370 miles (595 km) south-southwest of Mazatlán, Mexico. Deep convection persisted near the southern portion of the depression; however, the northern portion of the depression was partially devoid of convective activity. A mid to upper-level trough situated over the Baja California Peninsula led to a northward movement of the depression. The system remained disorganized most of its lifetime due to shear. One-E dissipated as it made landfall early on June 20.

On June 19, 2.44 in of rain fell in Mazatlán, near where the remnants of the depression moved ashore. High winds in Mazatlán knocked down several trees, cutting power to numerous residents. Heavy rains also triggered street flooding throughout the city. Landslides along major roadways caused several accidents, one involving a bus that was damaged by rocks.

Hurricane Andres
Hurricane Andres formed on June 21 out of an area of disturbed weather associated with a shower and thunder storm that crossed Central America a few days earlier. Andres gradually intensified as it tracked along the Mexican coastline. Deep convection developed around the center of circulation and by June 23, the storm attained hurricane-status, peaking with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Upon attaining this intensity, the storm featured a developing eyewall within a central dense overcast. Within 36 hours, the storm rapidly degenerated, having most of the convection being displaced by high wind shear, becoming a non-tropical trough during the afternoon of June 24.

Prior to becoming a tropical depression, Andres produced heavy rainfall Oaxaca and Honduras, resulting in two deaths. Rough seas off the coast of Guerrero resulted in one fatality. Inland, flooding caused by heavy rains killed two additional people. An additional 20 people were injured. Several dozen structures were damaged and a few were destroyed. Following the storm, roughly 350 people were left homeless.

Tropical Storm Blanca
On July 6, an area of disturbed weather situated approximately 420 mi (675 km) south-southwest of Baja California, Mexico was designated as Tropical Storm Blanca by the NHC, skipping tropical depression status. The newly upgraded storm featured deep convection and a possible eye-feature around the center of circulation. Favorable conditions allowed the storm to intensify later that day. Large convective banding features developed around the central dense overcast during the morning of July 6, as winds around the center of the storm increased to 45 mph (75 km/h). All forecast models agreed on further intensification of the storm; however, some models indicated rapid intensification before the storm moved into a less favorable environment. However, this did not happen, and the system moved into colder waters, weakening to a tropical depression on the 8th, before finally becoming a remnant low on the 9th. The remnants began moving northwestward, and they dissipated early on July 10, a thousand miles or more west-northwest of Baja California. The remnants of the storm brought unseasonable rainfall, although negligible, to parts of southern and central California on July 11. The moisture reached the region after being pulled northward by an upper-level low off the coast of Oregon. While over open waters, the storm produced usually heavy rainfall, exceeding 2 in/h (50 mm/h) at times.

Hurricane Carlos
On July 9, showers and thunderstorms associated with an area of disturbed weather located about 900 miles south of the southern tip of Baja California became more concentrated around a developing low level centre. In the early hours of July 10, the system was designated as Tropical Depression Four-E, and the NHC commenced advisories. Around 2:00 p.m. PDT, the system strengthened into Tropical Storm Carlos. On July 11, Tropical Storm Carlos strengthened into a minimal Category 1 hurricane. It also developed a small eye feature, based on satellite presentation. However, by morning of July 12, the National Hurricane Center noted that the small eye-like feature had disappeared. Overnight on July 11 through the morning of July 12, the structure of Carlos became disorganized for unknown reasons. Deep convection contracted to a small region around the center of circulation and the overall size of the storm diminished. In the early afternoon hours, the continued degeneration of the system led to its downgrade to tropical storm status. Throughout the rest of the 12th and until mid-day on the 13th, Carlos continued to weaken, but the weakening trend slightly abated, enough for Carlos to reintensify slightly, from 50 mph to 65 mph. A statement from the NHC that day predicted Carlos to either stay at 65 mph for the next three days or so, or to constantly fluctuate in intensity. However, by July 14, a new eye wall developed and Carlos was given hurricane status again. It rapidly intensified to a peak of 90 knots, or 105 mph (at 0900 UTC on July 15), and the NHC noted the distinct "pinhole eye feature" in their TWD. By the end of July 14, the eye had started to get less defined, and on the 15th, the system began a weakening trend. On July 16, Carlos degenerated into a remnant low, and the final advisory was issued.

Tropical Storm Dolores
On July 14 a large area of disturbed weather to the south of Baja California showed signs of tropical organization, and advisories on Tropical Depression Five-E were initiated that day. The depression soon strengthened into a tropical storm, being named Dolores during the morning of July 15, and later that day began developing good banding features as well as good convection. Dolores strengthened to peak winds of 50 mph early on July 16. But, later that day, the deep convection associated with Dolores began to weaken, and the storm began a slow, but sure weakening trend. Dolores weakened to a tropical depression late on the 16th, and by early the next day, all deep convection had been lost, and the NHC issued their last advisory on the weakened Tropical Depression Dolores. The system's remnants lingered for the next few days, dissipating on July 20 near the west coast of California.

Tropical Storm Lana
On July 30, the NHC began issuing advisories on Tropical Depression Six-E near the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility. Later that day, it moved into the Central Pacific as a tropical depression, quickly strengthening into Tropical Storm Lana, the first Central Pacific storm since 2008's Kika. Lana is one of four central Pacific tropical cyclones to form as a depression in the eastern Pacific but be named in the Central; the others are Lala, Iniki, and Li. Lana was also the first tropical cyclone to cross from the eastern north to central north Pacific since 2007's Flossie. It also started to develop an eye feature, based on satellite imagery. But, southerly shear, introduced by a large upper-level trough, caused Lana to become slightly disorganized on July 31. Despite this, Lana reached its peak intensity of 65 mph early on August 1, and slowly weakened to become a very disorganized, yet still fairly strong tropical storm, maintaining maximum winds of 50 mph for the next couple of days. However, Lana weakened to a tropical depression late on August 2, while continuing to quickly become disorganized. Lana degenerated to a remnant low on August 3, roughly 580 miles southwest of Honolulu, and 410 miles east of Johnston Island, with the CPHC issuing their last advisory at the same time. Lana's remnants lingered for the next day or so, until dissipating on August 4.

Tropical Storm Enrique
Tropical Storm Enrique developed out of a broad area of low pressure several hundred miles south-southwest of Baja California Sur. The center of circulation was embedded within a central dense overcast and located within an area favoring further development. The depression tracked just north of due west in response to a mid-tropospheric ridge north of the system. A second area of low pressure, located nine degrees of longitude to the west, had the possibility to develop into a tropical depression and possibly influence the system. Late on August 3, the depression intensified to a tropical storm and was given the name Enrique. Enrique briefly strengthened to reach a peak intensity of 60 mph on August 4. However, interaction with Hurricane Felicia weakened the system late that evening, with maximum winds decreasing to 50 mph. Enrique maintained winds of 50 mph for the next day or so, until early on August 6, when the NHC downgraded Enrique to depression status. On August 7, the NHC issued their final advisory on Enrique as the system degenerated into a remnant low.

Hurricane Felicia
Hurricane Felicia developed out of a broad area of low pressure several that formed hundred miles southwest of Baja California Sur on August 3, developing into Tropical Depression Eight-E the next day, shortly after Tropical Depression Seven-E formed directly to the east. It strengthened into a tropical storm and was named Felicia early on August 4. It rapidly strengthened that morning as an eyewall quickly developed, the rapid intensification being attributed to warm water along the forecast track, which allowed for more rapid intensification. Felicia continued to intensify and became a hurricane that afternoon. Rapid intensification continued into that evening, and the NHC upgraded Felicia to a Category 2 hurricane. It continued to rapidly strengthen, becoming the first major hurricane of the season on the morning of August 5, when the NHC upgraded it to a Category 3 hurricane. Later that day, Felicia rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum winds increasing to 145 mph (230 km/h), making it the strongest storm in the Eastern Pacific since Daniel in 2006. The NHC predicted that Felicia would rapidly weaken during the next couple of days starting on August 6, but it was also noted by the NHC that Felicia was displaying annular hurricane characteristics, which would allow for it to maintain intensity for longer than expected over marginal SSTS.

On August 8 it crossed into the Central Pacific basin, gradually weakening to a tropical storm and then a tropical depression as it approached the Hawaiian Islands. Tropical storm and flash flood watches were issued on August 7 for the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui County, and were extended to include Oahu on August 9. The watches for the Big Island were later canceled as the track for Felicia appeared to turn toward the north. All watches were canceled at 11 a.m. HST August 11 as Felicia dissipated to a remnant low.

Tropical Depression Nine-E
Tropical Depression Nine-E developed out of a small area of low pressure west-southwest of Baja California on August 9. The NHC initially forecast Nine-E to strengthen to a tropical storm by August 10, but moderate shear inhibited development, and the depression was no longer forecast to strengthen to a tropical storm, as the shear inhibited deep convection within the depression's circulation. Shear continually inhibited development until the end, when Nine-E degenerated to a remnant low on August 12. The next day, the NHC noted the possibility for regeneration of the system, although, by late on the 14th, the disturbance had weakened, and was becoming embedded in the ITCZ, as a result, the probability for regeneration was low. Nine-E's remnants dissipated on August 15, while located just within the central Pacific.

Tropical Storm Maka
Tropical Depression One-C developed out of an area of low pressure southwest of Kauai on August 11. Since it formed when Hurricane Felicia was still active, its formation made August 11, 2009 the first time since October 31, 2002 that two tropical cyclones were active in the central north Pacific at the same time. It was numbered One-C as it was the first system to develop in the Central Pacific region, even though Lana was named there. Late that day, the system strengthened to a tropical storm and was named Maka, the second named storm to form in the Central Pacific in 2009. The next afternoon, the final advisory on Maka was issued as it weakened, degenerating into a remnant low, likely caused by unexpected shear. The remnants of Tropical Storm Maka crossed the international dateline and moved into the Western Pacific and regenerated into a tropical depression.

Hurricane Guillermo
Hurricane Guillermo formed on August 12 from a broad area of low pressure nearly 700 miles SW of Baja California. The system developed a good series of banding features and convection, and as a result, in the afternoon later that day, it strengthened into a tropical storm, the seventh in the eastern Pacific that year. On August 14, it strengthened to become the fourth hurricane of the season, concurrent to the development of a good, banding type eye. That afternoon, Guillermo strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with maximum winds increasing to 100 mph (155 km/h). Early on August 15, Guillermo intensified to become the second major hurricane of the season, as it was upgraded by the NHC to a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum winds increasing to 125 mph (205 km/h). On August 16 it crossed into the Central Pacific basin as a Category 1 hurricane, and then quickly weakened to a tropical storm thereafter due to very high wind shear. Despite over 40 knots of shear, Guillermo survived as a weak tropical storm for a further 3 days before weakening to a depression and dissipating on August 19.

Tropical Storm Hilda
Tropical Depression Eleven-E formed toward the western edge of the eastern Pacific basin on August 22, and soon strengthened to become Tropical Storm Hilda. The next day it crossed the 140°W meridian and passed into the CPHC's area of responsibility. On August 26, Hilda quickly weakened to a depression after several small pulses of brief convection in the disorganized center, but these waned quickly when it weakened to depression status. Hilda also attempted, but failed, to reorganize its overall structure throughout the late 25th and most of the 26th. The system's structure continued to degrade, and finally, on August 28, the CPHC issued their final advisory on Hilda, as it had degenerated into a remnant low. The remnants of Hilda lingered for several days, until finally dissipating on the 31st.

Tropical Storm Ignacio
Tropical Depression Twelve-E formed on August 24 about 660 mi (1060 km) SW of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. Though convection within the rainband located along the western semicircle of the system diminished somewhat, the system continued to become better organized, and became a tropical storm that evening. Despite the upgrade, Ignacio was not well organized, with several smaller swirls rotating around a common cyclonic gyre. Ignacio weakened to a tropical depression on the morning of August 27 as it moved over sub-26°C SSTs and entered an environment of stable air. Ignacio degenerated into an area of low pressure later that day.

Hurricane Jimena
Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed out of an area of disturbed weather associated with a tropical wave that had formed in the western Caribbean, moving across Central America earlier in the week, and slowly developed off the west coast of Mexico, about 200 miles south of Acapulco, until it organized into a tropical depression early in the morning of August 29. It soon strengthened to become Tropical Storm Jimena, and intensified rapidly to become a Category 2 hurricane later the same day as a pinhole eye developed. The next day it strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane, becoming the third major hurricane of season. Later that day, it continued to intensify and became a Category 4 hurricane. However, by the morning of August 31, the eye had become less defined, likely because of an eyewall replacement cycle. The NHC noted in their tropical weather discussion released at 8 p.m. PDT on the 31st that Jimena may have been a Category 5 earlier in the day. As Jimena moved over cooler waters, and shear began to increase, it began to weaken starting on September 1, weakening below major hurricane status later that day. The storm soon made first landfall of the season as a weak Category 2 early the next day near Cabo San Lazaro, Mexico, causing an unknown amount of damage there. Jimena then made second and final landfall as a weakening Category 1 later that day, near San Buenaventura, Mexico, also causing an unknown amount of damage there. Finally, around 0300 UTC on the 3rd, Jimena weakened to a tropical storm, but despite reemerging in the Gulf of California, Jimena continued to weaken. Early on September 4, the storm weakened to a tropical depression, while moving extremely slowly over the Gulf of California, and it degenerated into a remnant low later that day.

Tropical Depression Two-C
Tropical Depression Two-C formed out of a small area of disturbed weather to the southwest of Kauai around (0300 UTC) on August 29. Early the next day, the depression crossed the International Date Line and warning responsibility of the system was passed on to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Tropical Storm Kevin
Tropical Depression Fourteen-E formed on August 29 from an area of disturbed weather 1000 miles SW of Baja California. The depression strengthened to Tropical Storm Kevin later that day, the seventh named storm in August, and the tenth tropical cyclone of the month overall. Kevin began to weaken early on August 30, and this trend continued for the next day or so, until early on the 31st, when Kevin weakened to a tropical depression. Kevin continued to degrade, and the NHC declared it dissipated on September 1, as it had weakened to a remnant low.