1971 Pacific hurricane season
1971 Pacific hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | May 21, 1971 |
Last system dissipated | November 29, 1971 |
Strongest storm | |
By maximum sustained winds | Denise |
• Maximum winds | 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 951 mbar (hPa; 28.08 inHg) |
By central pressure | Olivia |
• Maximum winds | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 948 mbar (hPa; 27.99 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total depressions | 22 |
Total storms | 18 |
Hurricanes | 12 |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 6 |
Total fatalities | 31 total |
Total damage | $40 million (1971 USD) |
Related articles | |
The 1971 Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, 1971 in the eastern Pacific (east of 140°W), and on June 1, 1971 in the Central Pacific (from 140°W to the International Date Line); both ended on November 30, 1971. These dates, adopted by convention, historically describe the period in each year when most tropical cyclogenesis occurs in these regions of the Pacific. It was the first year that continuous Weather satellite coverage existed over the entire Central Pacific. As such, this season is often viewed as the start year for modern reliable tropical cyclone data in the Pacific Ocean.[1]
It was an above average
Systems
Hurricane Agatha
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | May 21 – May 25 |
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Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min); ≤972 mbar (hPa) |
On May 21, an area of low pressure developed in the very warm waters
The village of Playa Azul was hard hit by the storm. Up to half of the village's homes were destroyed, and much of the banana, mango, and coconut crops were destroyed.
Hurricane Bridget
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | June 14 – June 20 |
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Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min); 998 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical disturbance near El Salvador remained unorganized until June 12. The area of convection started to drift west-northwestward and strengthened into Tropical Depression Two-E. On June 15, the Tropical Depression further intensified into Tropical storm status and was named Bridget, the second tropical storm of the season. Tropical Storm Bridget moved across the Gulf of Tehuantepec which was favorable for Development. On June 16, Bridget continued intensifying and satellite imagery and ship report data confirmed that Bridget had strengthened into a hurricane. Hurricane Bridget continued moving west-northwest along the west coast of Mexico and came within 35 to 45 mi (56 to 72 km) of Acapulco on June 17. Bridget later made landfall as a Tropical Storm about 100 mi (160 km) southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. However, the Tropical Depression Re-entered open waters and dissipated on June 20.
Bridget was the worst hurricane to hit Acapulco in over 25 years; the last strong hurricane to impact Acapulco to a greater extent was the 1943 Mazatlan Hurricane, which made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane and caused $56 million (1971 USD; $421 million 2024 USD) in damage. Hurricane Bridget's storm surge caused flooding in the bay and damaged waterfront and beach facilities. Rough weather and violent seas also sank 20 boats plus a flagship of the Mexican Navy.
Hurricane Carlotta
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 2 – July 8 |
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Peak intensity | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min); ≤980 mbar (hPa) |
On July 1 an area of weather developed about 115 mi (185 km) east of
Carlotta stayed over open waters during its entire life and no land was affected.
Hurricane Denise
Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 2 – July 14 |
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Peak intensity | 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-min); ≤951 mbar (hPa) |
On July 2 an area of weather got better organized about 865 mi (1,392 km) east of then Tropical Storm Carlotta. On July 4
Denise had started a northwest movement towards
The remnants of Denise moved south of the Hawaiian Islands, but still brought beneficial rains that caused some minor flooding.[2]
Tropical Storm Eleanor
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 7 – July 11 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); ≤1007 mbar (hPa) |
Eleanor was a short-lived, weak tropical storm that stayed well out to sea. On July 7, a tropical depression formed east-southeast of the weakening Carlotta and west of the strengthening Denise. By July 8, satellite imagery showed that the depression had strengthened into a tropical storm. Eleanor strengthened over the next 24 hours to a top strength of 60 mph (97 km/h). On July 10, a U.S. Air Force weather reconnaissance plane found a weakening system and the next day the storm was a dissipating depression moving toward the west-southwest.
Hurricane Francene
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 18 – July 23 |
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Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min); ≤991 mbar (hPa) |
An area of enhanced shower activity and low pressure circulation developed a couple hundred miles off the coast of
Tropical Storm Georgette
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 20 – July 27 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 990 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical depression formed to the east of Hurricane Francene on July 20. A reconnaissance flight found a poorly organized tropical storm with winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) on July 23. Georgette reached a peak intensity of 60 mph (97 km/h) the next day. Ships to the north of Georgette reported weak tropical storm force winds. By July 26 the storm began to weaken rapidly before dissipating the next day.
Hurricane Hilary
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 26 – August 7 |
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Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min); ≤964 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Storm Hilary developed about 115 mi (185 km) west of Clipperton Island on July 26. Hilary strengthened quickly into a hurricane by July 28 and a recon plane found surface winds of 90 mph (140 km/h) and noted a well-defined eye. The hurricane would peak as a category 2 with sustained winds of 100 mph (160 km/h) on July 30.[3] Hilary weakened slightly as its motion became erratic across the tropical Pacific Ocean. By August 1 the hurricane turned to the northwest towards cooler waters. Hilary weakened into a tropical storm on August 3 after being at hurricane strength for a week.[3] Steady weakening continued over the next four days before dissipating in the Central Pacific.
Hurricane Ilsa
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | July 31 – August 8 |
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Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min); ≤978 mbar (hPa) |
Hurricane Ilsa formed on July 31 to the south of the Mexican coast. It gradually strengthened into a tropical storm and a hurricane. Ilsa peaked as a Category 3 hurricane before heading further out to sea and weakening. Hurricane Ilsa dissipated on August 8.
Tropical Storm Jewel
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 6 – August 11 |
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Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min); 993 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Storm Jewel formed near Mexico on August 6. Heading out to sea, it strengthened into a 70 mph (110 km/h) tropical storm. It dissipated on August 11.
Tropical Storm Katrina
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 8 – August 13 |
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Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min); 1008 mbar (hPa) |
Katrina was a very small storm. Katrina brushed Baja California Sur and made landfall in the Mexican state of Sonora as a tropical storm. It dissipated on August 13. Rain from Katrina's remnants ruined crops, destroyed railroad trestles, and washed away three bridges.
Hurricane Lily
Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 28 – September 1 |
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Peak intensity | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min); 978 mbar (hPa) |
The remnants of Tropical Storm Chloe in the Atlantic formed into Tropical Depression Twelve on August 28. Twelve continued northeast and intensified into a tropical storm and was thus assigned the name Lily. Lily turned northwest.
Hurricane Monica
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | August 29 – September 5 |
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Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min); ≤1005 mbar (hPa) |
Monica was a Category 3 hurricane which did not affect land.
Hurricane Nanette
Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 3 – September 9 |
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Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min); ≤984 mbar (hPa) |
Hurricane Nanette threatened southern Baja California but turned west before making landfall.
Hurricane Olivia
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | September 20 (Entered basin) – October 1 |
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Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min); 948 mbar (hPa) |
Olivia was a continuation of
Hurricane Priscilla
Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 6 – October 13 |
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Peak intensity | 125 mph (205 km/h) (1-min); 951 mbar (hPa) |
Priscilla made landfall south of Mazatlán as a tropical storm. It had weakened significantly before landfall, having once been a strong Category 3 hurricane. Priscilla destroyed roughly 36,000 acres of corn, tomatoes, peppers, bananas, and cotton, resulting in $3.12 million in losses. Heavy rains inundated 30 towns in Nayarit, damaging roads and two major thoroughfares; road damage totaled $544,000.[4]
Tropical Storm Ramona
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | October 28 – October 31 |
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Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min); 1009 mbar (hPa) |
Ramona formed on October 28, it quickly strengthened into a tropical storm. It later weakened back to a tropical depression. Before dissipation, it made a sharp turn to the north-northeast. It had dissipated on October 31.
Tropical Storm Sharon
Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
Duration | November 25 – November 29 |
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Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min); ≤1009 mbar (hPa) |
Tropical Storm Sharon was a late season tropical storm that formed a few hundred miles from Mexico on November 25. It slowly strengthened into a minimal tropical storm before unfavorable conditions caused it to dissipate on November 29.
Storm names
The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Pacific Ocean east of 140°W in 1971.[5] This was the same set of names used for the 1967 season.[6] A storm was named Sharon for the first time this year.[7] No names were retired after this season,[8] thus the same list was used again for the 1975 season.[9]
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Had a named storm formed in the North Pacific between 140°W and the International Date Line in 1971 it would have been assigned a name from the west Pacific's typhoon name list by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center on Guam.[5][7] Named storms in the table above that crossed into the area during the season are noted (*).[10]
Season effects
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1971 Pacific hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1971 USD.
Saffir–Simpson scale | ||||||
TD | TS | C1 | C2 | C3 | C4 | C5 |
Storm name |
Dates active | Storm category at peak intensity |
Max 1-min wind mph (km/h) |
Min. press. (mbar) |
Areas affected | Damage (USD) |
Deaths | Ref(s) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agatha | May 21 – 25 | Category 2 hurricane | 100 (155) | 972 | Mexico | Unknown | 0 | |||
Bridget
|
June 14 – 20 | Category 2 hurricane | 100 (155) | 998 | Mexico | 56 | 17 | |||
Carlotta | July 2 – 8 | Category 1 hurricane | 85 (140) | 980 | None | None | 0 | |||
Denise | July 2 – 14 | Category 4 hurricane | 140 (220) | 951 | Hawaii | None | 0 | |||
Eleanor | July 7 – 11 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 1007 | None | None | 0 | |||
Francene | July 18 – 23 | Category 3 hurricane | 115 (185) | 991 | None | None | 0 | |||
Georgette | July 20 – 27 | Category 1 hurricane | 60 (95) | 990 | None | None | 0 | |||
Hilary | July 26 – August 7 | Category 2 hurricane | 100 (155) | 964 | None | None | 0 | |||
Ilsa | July 31 – August 8 | Category 3 hurricane | 115 (185) | 978 | None | None | 0 | |||
Jewel | August 6 – 11 | Tropical storm | 70 (110) | 993 | None | None | 0 | |||
Katrina | August 8 – 13 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 1008 | Mexico | Unknown | 0 | |||
Lily | August 28 – September 1 | Category 1 hurricane | 85 (140) | 978 | Mexico | Unknown | 12-14 | |||
Monica | August 29 – September 5 | Category 3 hurricane | 115 (185) | 1005 | None | None | 0 | |||
Nanette | September 3 – 9 | Category 2 hurricane | 100 (155) | 984 | Mexico | None | 0 | |||
Olivia
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September 20 – October 1 | Category 3 hurricane | 115 (185) | 948 | Nicaragua, Mexico | Unknown | 3 | |||
Priscilla | October 6 – 13 | Category 3 hurricane | 125 (205) | 951 | Mexico | 3.664 | 0 | |||
Ramona | October 28 – 31 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 1009 | None | None | 0 | |||
Sharon | November 25 – 29 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1009 | None | None | 0 | |||
Season aggregates | ||||||||||
22[nb 1] systems | May 21 – November 29 | 140 (220) | 948 | Mexico, Nicaragua | Unknown | 52 |
See also
- List of Pacific hurricanes
- Pacific hurricane season
- 1971 Atlantic hurricane season
- 1971 Pacific typhoon season
- 1971 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
- Australian cyclone seasons: 1970–71, 1971–72
- South Pacific cyclone seasons: 1970–71, 1971–72
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 1970–71, 1971–72
Notes
- ^ There were four other tropical cyclones which never reached tropical storm strength, but due to the unavailability of their data they are not added onto this table.
References
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Climatology". College Park, Maryland: NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- CPHC. 1971. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
- ^ a b "Hurricane Hilary track data". Unisys. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
- ^ "Storm Damages Mexican Crops". The Corpus Christi Times. Vol. 62, no. 75. Corpus Christi, Texas. Associated Press. October 15, 1971. p. 1D. Retrieved July 26, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ NOAAOffice of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. May 1971. pp. 95, 97. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ 1967 National Hurricane Plan (PDF) (Report). Washington, D.C.: Interdepartmental Committee for Meteorological Services. May 1967. p. 62. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Name History". Atlantic Tropical Weather Center. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ "Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names". Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- NOAAOffice of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research. May 1975. p. 95. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- ^ Pao-Shin Chu; Peng Wu (2008). Climatic Atlas of Tropical Cyclone Tracks over the Central North Pacific (PDF) (Report). University of Hawaii-Manoa. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
- NOAA Monthly Weather Review accessed November 7, 2005
- Unisys Storm Tracks accessed November 7, 2005
- CPHC archive accessed November 17, 2005