The 2018 Pacific hurricane season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation, in which tropical cyclones form in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific—east of 140°W—and began on June 1 in the central Pacific—the region between the International Date Line and 140°W, and ended on November 30. These dates typically cover the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the eastern Pacific basin.[1] The season began with the formation of Tropical Depression One-E, which developed on May 10, and ended with the dissipation of the season's final storm, Tropical Storm Xavier, which dissipated as a tropical cyclone on November 5.
The 2018 hurricane season was exceptionally active and featured the highest Accumulated Cyclone Energy since reliable records began in 1971.[2] Throughout the season, 26 tropical depressions developed, 23 of which became tropical storms. A total of 13 tropical storms reached hurricane strength, and 10 hurricanes achieved major hurricane intensity.[3][nb 1] The basin saw above-average activity across all regions from the International Date Line to the west coast of Mexico and Central America. Activity peaked from early August to early October, with several long-lived and powerful hurricanes developing in that time period. Several storms severely affected land, such as Hurricane Lane in Hawaii and Hurricane Willa in Mexico. In contrast to the similarly active 2015 Pacific hurricane season, 2018 was not significantly influenced by the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. Instead, low pressures and increased sea surface temperatures associated with the Pacific Meridional Mode supported the development of these intense and long-lived storms.[2]
Four time zones are utilized in the basin: Central for storms east of 106°W, Mountain between 114.9°W and 106°W, Pacific between 140°W and 115°W,[4] and Hawaii–Aleutian for storms between the International Date Line and 140°W.[5] However, for convenience, all information is listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) first with the respective local time included in parentheses. This timeline includes information that was not released while the storm was active, meaning that data from post-storm reviews by the National Hurricane Center is included. This timeline documents the formation of tropical cyclones as well as the strengthening, weakening, landfalls, extratropical transitions, and dissipations during the season.
Timeline of events
May
Tropical Depression One-E several hours after being classified as a tropical cyclone on May 10
18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) at 11°00′N103°48′W / 11.0°N 103.8°W / 11.0; -103.8 – Tropical Depression Seven develops from an area of low pressure approximately 560 miles (900 km) south-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima.[14]
00:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. PDT, September 1) at 15°24′N111°12′W / 15.4°N 111.2°W / 15.4; -111.2 – Tropical Depression Seventeen-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Olivia about 230 mi (370 km) south of Socorro Island.[24]
17:30 UTC (7:30 a.m. HST) at 40°36′N177°06′W / 40.6°N 177.1°W / 40.6; -177.1 – Dvorak assessments of Invest 96C indicate it to have weakened into a tropical depression about 780 mi (1,255 km) south of Adak, Alaska.[28]
5:30 UTC (7:30 p.m. HST, September 2) at 42°36′N178°18′W / 42.6°N 178.3°W / 42.6; -178.3 – The Satellite Products and Service Division issues its final bulletin on Invest 96C as Dvorak assessments indicate the system to be too weak to classify as a tropical cyclone about 645 mi (1,040 km) south of Adak, Alaska.[29]
Hurricane Olivia as a high-end Category 3 hurricane on September 6
00:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. PDT, September 4) at 16°48′N119°36′W / 16.8°N 119.6°W / 16.8; -119.6 – Hurricane Olivia reaches its initial peak intensity with winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a pressure of 954 mbar (hPa; 28.17 inHg) approximately 335 mi (540 km) west-southwest of Clarion Island.[24]
12:00 UTC (5:00 a.m. PDT) at 17°00′N121°48′W / 17.0°N 121.8°W / 17.0; -121.8 – Increasing wind shear causes Hurricane Olivia to weaken into a Category 2 hurricane approximately 470 mi (760 km) west-southwest of Clarion Island.[24]
00:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. PDT, September 6) at 18°54′N129°12′W / 18.9°N 129.2°W / 18.9; -129.2 – Hurricane Olivia further intensifies into a Category 4 hurricane and reaches its peak intensity with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 951 mbar (hPa; 28.08 inHg) about 950 mi (1,525 km) west of Clarion Island.[24]
12:00 UTC (5:00 a.m. PDT) at 19°54′N131°48′W / 19.9°N 131.8°W / 19.9; -131.8 – Hurricane Olivia further degenerates into a Category 2 hurricane approximately 1,120 mi (1,800 km) west-northwest of Clarion Island.[24]
06:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. MDT) at 15°30′N114°30′W / 15.5°N 114.5°W / 15.5; -114.5 – Tropical Depression Eighteen-E develops from an area of low pressure about 680 mi (1,095 km) south-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California Sur.[30]
00:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. PDT, September 8) at 16°00′N117°00′W / 16.0°N 117.0°W / 16.0; -117.0 – Tropical Depression Eighteen-E strengthens into Tropical Storm Paul roughly 220 mi (355 km) southwest of Clairon Island.[30]
18:00 UTC (11:00 a.m. PDT) at 18°06′N118°36′W / 18.1°N 118.6°W / 18.1; -118.6 – Tropical Storm Paul achieves its peak intensity with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h) and a pressure of 1002 mbar (29.59 inHg) about 250 mi (400 km) west of Clairon Island.[30]
September 10
12:00 UTC (2:00 a.m. HST) – Norman dissipates over 860 miles (1,385 km) north-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii.[23]
Animated infrared satellite imagery of Tropical Storm Olivia making landfalls on Maui and Lanai, Hawaii, on September 12
00:00 UTC (5:00 p.m. PDT, September 11) at 22°18′N126°00′W / 22.3°N 126.0°W / 22.3; -126.0 – Tropical Depression Paul degenerates into a remnant low approximately 780 mi (1,255 km) west-northwest of Clairon Island.[30]
19:10 UTC (9:10 a.m. HST) at 21°00′N156°36′W / 21.0°N 156.6°W / 21.0; -156.6 – Tropical Storm Olivia makes landfall on the Hawaiian island of Maui, just northwest of Kahului, with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h).[24] This marks the first known instance of a tropical cyclone making landfall on the island.[2][31]
00:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. MDT, September 19) at 27°18′N110°54′W / 27.3°N 110.9°W / 27.3; -110.9 – Tropical Depression Nineteen-E reaches its peak intensity with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mbar (29.6 inHg) about 60 mi (95 km) west-southwest of Ciudad Obregón. The National Hurricane Center noted in its final report that the system may have briefly become a tropical storm before landfall but data were inconclusive.[32]
06:00 UTC (8:00 p.m. HST, September 30) at 11°48′N167°06′W / 11.8°N 167.1°W / 11.8; -167.1 – Hurricane Walaka rapidly intensifies into a Category 2 hurricane about 895 mi (1,440 km) southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii.[35]
00:00 UTC (2:00 p.m. HST, October 1) at 12°54′N169°36′W / 12.9°N 169.6°W / 12.9; -169.6 – Hurricane Walaka's rapid intensification culminates with it becoming a Category 5 hurricane about 905 mi (1,455 km) southwest of Kauai, Hawaii. Concurrently, it reaches its peak intensity with maximum winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 921 mbar (hPa; 27.20 inHg).[35]
06:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. MDT) at 17°54′N107°06′W / 17.9°N 107.1°W / 17.9; -107.1 (Hurricane Willa intensifies into a Category 5 hurricane) – Hurricane Willa's rapid intensification culminates with it becoming a Category 5 hurricane roughly 200 mi (320 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima. It reaches its peak intensity at this time with winds of 160 mph (260 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 925 mbar (27.32 inHg).[39] This marks the third time a Pacific hurricane season featured three Category 5 hurricanes since reliable records began, tying the record set in 1994 and 2002.[40]
17:45 UTC (11:45 a.m. MDT) – Hurricane Willa passes over the Islas Marías archipelago with maximum winds of 115 mph (185 km/h); its eyewall traverses the islands of San Juanito and María Madre.[39]
18:00 UTC (1:00 p.m. CDT) – Tropical Depression Vicente dissipates inland over Mexico.[38]
^Operationally, the depression that became Hurricane Walaka was not warned upon until 21:00 UTC (11 a.m. HST) by which time it was already a tropical storm.[36] It would have received the designation "One-C" prior to being named.[35]
^Jelsema, Jon (August 6, 2018). Hurricane Hector Discussion Number 24 (Report). Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on February 27, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
^ abcBerg, Robbie (July 12, 2018). Tropical Depression One-E (EP012018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^Cangialosi, John (June 30, 2020). Tropical Depression One-E (EP012020)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
^ abcdefghijkAvila, Lixion (July 31, 2018). Hurricane Aletta (EP022018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
^ abcdefghijkBlake, Eric (October 24, 2018). Hurricane Bud (EP032018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
^ abcdePasch, Richard (December 19, 2018). Tropical Storm Carlotta (EP042018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ abcdeBeven, John (February 11, 2019). Tropical Storm Daniel (EP052018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ abcdeStewart, Stacy (August 21, 2018). Tropical Storm Emilia (EP062018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ abcdefghBrown, Daniel (November 14, 2018). Hurricane Fabio (EP072018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ abcdeCangialosi, John (November 6, 2018). Tropical Storm Gilma (EP092018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ abZelinsky, David (August 24, 2018). Tropical Depression Nine-E (EP092018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 6, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqBerg, Robbie; Houston, Sam; Birchard, Thomas (July 1, 2019). Hurricane Hector (EP102018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 28, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdAvila, Lixion (November 9, 2018). Tropical Storm Ileana (EP112018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^ abcdefghBlake, Eric (November 20, 2018). Hurricane John (EP120218)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 15, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
^ abcdeLatto, Andrew; Pasch, Richard (March 6, 2019). Tropical Storm Kristy (EP132018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstBeven, John; Wroe, Derek (December 16, 2019). Hurricane Lane (EP142018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdefghiStewart, Stacy; Jacobson, Chris; Houston, Sam (March 21, 2019). Hurricane Miriam (EP152018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrsBrown, Daniel; Powell, Jeff (August 8, 2019). Hurricane Norman (EP162018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrsCangialosi, John; Jelsema, Jon (July 25, 2019). Hurricane Olivia (EP172018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
^Kibler, Jamie (September 3, 2020). [96C Tropical Cyclone Position at 5:30 UTC on September 3] (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Satellite Products and Service Division. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
^ abcdeZelinsky, David (October 4, 2018). Tropical Storm Paul (EP182018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdBerg, Robbie (November 29, 2018). Tropical Depression Nineteen-E (EP192018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdefghijklmnAvila, Lixion (July 23, 2019). Hurricane Rosa (EP202018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 3, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdefghijklmnBlake, Eric (February 26, 2019). Hurricane Sergio (EP212018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdefghijklmnopBirchard, Thomas; Houston, Sam (June 9, 2020). Hurricane Walaka (CP012018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
^Wroe, Derek (September 29, 2018). Tropical Storm Walaka Advisory Number 1 (Report). Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
^ abcdPasch, Richard (March 28, 2019). Tropical Storm Tara (EP222018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdefLatto, Andrew; Beven, John (April 10, 2019). Tropical Storm Vicente (EP232018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdefghijklmBrennan, Michael (April 2, 2019). Hurricane Willa (EP242018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ abcdBrown, Daniel (February 8, 2019). Tropical Storm Xavier (EP252018)(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
.jpg)
