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2008 Pacific hurricane season

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2008 Pacific hurricane season
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedMay 29, 2008
Last system dissipatedSeason currently active
Strongest storm
NameAlma
 • Maximum winds65 mph (100 km/h)
 • Lowest pressure994 mbar (hPa; 29.35 inHg)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions1
Total storms1
HurricanesN/A
Major hurricanes
(Cat. 3+)		N/A
Total fatalities1 direct
Total damageUnknown
Pacific hurricane seasons
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, Post-2009

The 2008 Pacific hurricane season is an ongoing event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. It officially started May 15, 2008 in the eastern Pacific, will start on June 1, 2008 in the central Pacific, and will last until November 30, 2008.

Seasonal forecasts

Predictions of tropical activity in the 2008 season
for the Eastern North Pacific
Source Date Named
storms 		Hurricanes Major
hurricanes
NOAA Average[1] 15.3 8.8 4.2
NOAA[2] 22 May 2008 11 – 16 5 – 8 1 – 3
Actual activity 1 0 0

On May 22, 2008, NOAA released their forecast for the 2008 Eastern Pacific and Central Pacific hurricane seasons. They predicted a below-normal level of activity in the Eastern Pacific, with 11 to 16 named storms, of which 5 to 8 were expected to become hurricanes, and 1 to 3 expected to become major hurricanes.[2]

The Central Pacific basin was also expected to be slightly below average, with three to four tropical cyclones expected to form or cross into the area.[3]

Storms

Tropical Storm Alma

Tropical Storm Alma
Current storm status
Tropical storm (1-min mean)
Satellite image
Forecast map
As of:2 p.m. PDT (2100 UTC) May 29
Location:12.4°N 87.0°W ± 30 nm
About 50 mi (85 km) WNW of Managua
About 175 mi (280 km) ESE of San Salvador
Sustained winds:55 knots | 65 mph | 100 km/h (1-min mean)
gusting to 65 knots | 75 mph | 120 km/h
Pressure:994 mbar (29.32 inHg)
Movement:N at 8 kt | 9 mph | 15 km/h
See more detailed information.

A tropical wave developed south of Central America in the last week of May. The wave developed gradually, and by late on May 28 the system became the first tropical depression of the 2008 season. It strengthened into a tropical storm on May 29, and then rapidly strengthened that morning into a strong tropical storm. Alma reached her peak of 65 mph early on May 29. Around 12 PM PDT, Alma made landfall on the Northwestern coast of Nicaragua near Leon at peak strength.

Leon lost electricity and telephone services as the storm impacted the area, and trees were toppled and some houses lost roofs. One person was killed.[4]

Current storm information

As of 2 p.m. PDT (2100 UTC) May 29, the center of Tropical Storm Alma is estimated to be located within 30 nm of 12.4°N 87.0°W, or about 50 mi (85 km) west-northwest of Managua, Nicaragua, or about 175 mi (280 km) east-southeast of San Salvador, El Salvador. Tropical Storm Alma has maximum sustained winds of 55 kt (65 mph, 100 km/h), with gusts up to 65 kt. (75 mph). It has a minimum central pressure of 994 mbar (29.32 inches), and is moving north at 8 kt (9 mph, 15 km/h).

Watches and warnings

As of 2 p.m. PDT (2100 UTC) May 29

For latest official information see:

Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Rating

ACE (104kt²) (Source) — Storm:
1 0.16 Alma
Total: 0.160 (18.1)

The table on the right shows the ACE for each storm in the season. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. ACE is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength.

The figures in parenthesis are for storms in the Central Pacific basin west of 140°W; those not in parenthesis are for the Eastern Pacific basin.

Timeline of events

Main article: Timeline of the 2008 Pacific hurricane season

May

May 15
  • The Eastern Pacific hurricane season officially begins.
May 28
May 29
  • 8 a.m. PDT (1500 UTC May 29): Tropical Depression One-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Alma.[6]
  • 12 p.m. PDT (1900 UTC): Tropical Storm Alma makes landfall near León, Nicaragua with 65 mph (100 km/h) winds.

Storm names

The following names will be used for named storms that form in the northeast Pacific in 2008. This is the same list that was used in the 2002 season, except for Karina, which replaced Kenna.

  • Alma (active)
  • Boris (unused)
  • Cristina (unused)
  • Douglas (unused)
  • Elida (unused)
  • Fausto (unused)
  • Genevieve (unused)
  • Hernan (unused)
  • Iselle (unused)
  • Julio (unused)
  • Karina (unused)
  • Lowell (unused)
  • Marie (unused)
  • Norbert (unused)
  • Odile (unused)
  • Polo (unused)
  • Rachel (unused)
  • Simon (unused)
  • Trudy (unused)
  • Vance (unused)
  • Winnie (unused)
  • Xavier (unused)
  • Yolanda (unused)
  • Zeke (unused)

For the central Pacific Ocean, four consecutive lists are used, with the names used sequentially until exhausted, rather than until the end of the year, due to the low number of storms each year.

  • Kika (unused)
  • Lana (unused)
  • Maka (unused)

Retirement

Retired names, if any, will be announced by the WMO in the spring of 2009.

See also

References

  1. ^ Climate Prediction Center, NOAA (2006-05-22). "Background Information: East Pacific Hurricane Season". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2007-05-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ a b Climate Prediction Center, NOAA (2008-05-22). "NOAA: 2008 Tropical Eastern North Pacific Hurricane Outlook". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2008-05-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Central Pacific Hurricane Center, NOAA (2008-05-22). "NOAA Expects Slightly Below Average Central Pacific Hurricane Season" (PDF). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 2008-05-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N29370559.htm
  5. ^ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.001.shtml?
  6. ^ http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2008/ep01/ep012008.discus.003.shtml?

Template:2000-2009 Pacific hurricane seasons

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