1986 Pacific hurricane season

Systems

Hurricane Agatha

The 1986 Pacific hurricane season's first tropical disturbance formed 865 mi (1,390 km) from the tip of Baja California Sur on May 20. By 0000 UTC May 22, the circulation began to tighten and become more organized, and thus the EPHC upgraded the disturbance into Tropical Depression One-E that morning. Approximately 48 hours after becoming a tropical depression, the system was upgraded into Tropical Storm Agatha, the first storm of the season. After moving southeast, the cyclone made an abrupt change in direction, turning towards the north. Agatha strengthened into a hurricane on May 25 near the coast of Mexico, reaching its peak intensity of 75 mph (121 km/h). Turning southeast, the system quickly weakened into a tropical depression, but regained tropical storm strength on May 28, only to dissipate that day. Rainfall spread around both the Atlantic and Pacific Mexican coasts, peaking at 10.75 in (273 mm) at Xicotepec de Juarez, Puebla.

Tropical Depression Two

A tropical disturbance formed on May 30 in the eastern Gulf of Tehuantepec. The disturbance was moving very slowly when it was upgraded to Tropical Depression Two-E on May 31. The depression began to weaken six hours later and the final advisory by the EPHC was released on June 1. Most of Mexico received rainfall, with over 3 in (76 mm) falling on Yucatán Peninsula. The worst rain occurred in Central Mexico, where over 15 in (380 mm) of precipitation fell, peaking at 18.63 in (473 mm) in Tenosique, Tabasco. The rest of the country was hit by 1–3 in (25–76 mm) of rainfall.

Tropical Storm Blas

A tropical disturbance originated from the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) on June 16. The disturbance moved west-northwest at 13 mph (21 km/h) below a weak upper-level high, becoming the third tropical depression of the 1986 season on June 17. The depression intensified into Tropical Storm Blas the next day. It kept that strength for only six hours, weakening into a depression again as it moved into cooler waters. After Blas's convection dissipated, the EPHC ceased advisories on June 19 while situated roughly 600 mi (965 km) south of Cabo San Lucas.

Hurricane Celia

On June 24, five days after Tropical Storm Blas dissipated, a tropical disturbance developed south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. Later that day, its circulation had become well-defined enough for the EPHC to upgrade the disturbance into Tropical Depression Four. Winds reached 40 mph (64 km/h), enough to upgrade the system into Tropical Storm Celia on June 26. While located off the coast of Mexico, Celia strengthened into a hurricane at 1800 UTC June 27. An eye became evident on satellite imagery and the hurricane reached its peak intensity of 90 mph (140 km/h) on June 28 at 1600 UTC as it tracked near Socorro Island. Meanwhile, Celia moved into much cooler water, which resulted in rapid weakening. On June 30, Celia was downgraded into a tropical depression. The EPHC released its final advisory at 1800 UTC that day as the system had dissipated.

Tropical Storm Darby

The fifth tropical cyclone of the season originated from a tropical disturbance that was first noticed on July 2. Moving northwest at about 13 mph (21 km/h), the disturbance entered warmer waters and began to develop rapidly. The disturbance was upgraded into Tropical Depression Five at 1800 UTC July 3. Turning west-northwest, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Darby on July 5. Darby peaked at 65 mph (105 km/h), and after turning northwest, encountered 77 °F (25 °C) waters. The storm began to weaken as thunderstorm activity became displaced from the center and spread northward over Arizona and California on July 6. The cyclone dissipated on July 7.

Hurricane Estelle

During the afternoon of July 16, a tropical depression formed thousands of miles west of Mexico, and within 12 hours it strengthened into a tropical storm. On July 18, Estelle intensified into a hurricane. Located in a favorable environment, Estelle continued strengthening to become the first major hurricane of the season on July 20. The hurricane entered the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility near its peak strength of 130 mph (210 km/h), a Category 4 hurricane. The hurricane veered to the west and passed south of Hawaii. Estelle weakened to a tropical storm on July 23, and on July 25, it weakened to a depression. The storm dissipated two days later.

In advance of Hurricane Estelle, the National Weather Service issued a hurricane watch and high-surf advisory for the Island of Hawaii. More than 200 people evacuated from their homes. Huge waves crashed on the shores of the Big Island on the afternoon of July 22. The high waves washed away five beachfront homes and severely damaged dozens of others on the beach resort of Vacation Land. The total damage was around $2 million. However, only two deaths reported from the storm, both of whom drowned offshore Oahu.

Hurricane Frank

The EPHC began monitoring a tropical disturbance located 195 mi (315 km) southwest of San Salvador on 1800 UTC July 23. About 24 hours later, the disturbance was upgraded into a tropical depression. Initially moving towards the west-northwest due to an upper-level low and a ridge over Mexico, the storm then turned to the west as the upper-level low changed direction. By July 28, the depression was upgraded into Tropical Storm Frank. After turning back to the west-northwest, Frank reached hurricane intensity early on July 30. The storm quickly developed a well-defined eye and three hours later, Hurricane Frank reached its peak intensity as a moderate Category 1 hurricane, with winds of 85 mph (137 km/h). Hurricane Frank maintained this intensity for 18 hours. Subsequently, the hurricane began to rapidly weaken over 76 °F (24 °C) sea surface temperatures. Wind shear soon increased, thus accelerating the weakening process. On July 31, Frank was reduced to tropical storm intensity. Not long after weakening into a depression, the storm entered the CPHC's area of responsibility. Wind shear increased further, and upon entering the region, Frank moved over slightly cooler water. It transitioned into an extratropical cyclone on August 3.

Tropical Storm Georgette

On August 3, a tropical depression developed in the open ocean over 600 mi (970 km) west of the Mexican coastline. Twelve hours later, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Georgette before weakening to a depression on August 4. It then accelerated to a very rapid speed of 23 to 45 mph (37 to 72 km/h). Due to its fast speed, Georgette could not maintain a closed circulation, and thus degenerated into a non-cyclonic disturbance on August 4. The disturbance kept up its rapid forward motion, crossed the dateline and entered the western Pacific, where it reformed and reached its peak intensity as Severe Tropical Storm Georgette. By August 16, the remnants of Georgette were absorbed by nearby Typhoon Tip.

Tropical Storm Howard

A tropical wave crossed Southwestern Mexico and Belize in mid-August. A tropical disturbance developed from this wave 50 mi (80 km) south of Acapulco on August 15, the same day that the system moved offshore. Moving west-northwest south of an upper-level high, the system was classified as a tropical depression the next day about 125 mi (200 km) south of Manzanillo. Several hours later, the depression reached tropical storm intensity. Turning towards the northwest due to a trough, it failed to intensify beyond minimal tropical storm strength. Passing south of the Baja California Peninsula, the storm rapidly moved over cooler waters. Howard weakened into a tropical depression at 0600 UTC August 18. Transversing 75 °F (24 °C) water, Howard dissipated. Rainfall along the southern coast reached 1 in (25 mm) in some places, with totals in excess of 5 in (130 mm) in isolated locations. Further north, rainfall was more scattered. The maximum rainfall was 9.25 in (235 mm) in Reforma, near the southern part of the country.

Tropical Storm Isis

A tropical disturbance developed 265 mi (426 km) south of Socorro Island at 1800 UTC August 18. Twenty-four hours later the disturbance was upgraded into a tropical depression on August 19. The depression intensified into Tropical Storm Isis the next day. After peaking as a moderate tropical storm at 1200 UTC August 23, Isis weakened into a depression over 74 °F (23 °C) waters early on August 24. While located some 1,500 mi (2,415 km) west of the Mexican coast, the tropical cyclone dissipated later that day.

Hurricane Javier

On August 19, a tropical disturbance formed 460 mi (740 km) south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec and 319 mi (513 km) south of Cabo San Lucas. Satellite imagery began to show signs of developing a circulation, and the disturbance became a tropical depression on August 20 and intensified into Tropical Storm Javier hours later. Southwest of a ridge, Javier began to turn towards the west-northwest. Despite an increase in forward speed, Tropical Storm Javier underwent rapid intensification, reaching hurricane intensity at 0900 UTC August 21. About three hours later, Javier reached Category 2 strength, and briefly became a major hurricane on August 22, only to rapidly weaken back to a Category 1 hurricane late on August 23. Hurricane Javier sharply turned towards the north and eventually towards the northwest. Early on August 24, Javier resumed intensification, regaining Category 3 intensity at 0600 UTC. Passing midway between Socorro Island and Clarion Island, the storm reached its peak intensity of 130 mph (210 km/h). Moving beneath the ridge, Hurricane Javier turned to the west and subsequently weakened back into a Category 3 hurricane.

After briefly re-intensifying into a Category 4, the storm resumed weakening due to increasing wind shear, and by late on August 25, Hurricane Javier had weakened directly into a Category 2 hurricane. Shortly thereafter, Javier was downgraded into a Category 1 hurricane. While it managed to maintain marginal hurricane intensity for 24 hours. on 1200 UTC August 28, the EPHC announced that Javier had weakened back into a tropical storm. Shortly after that, Javier turned towards the west-northwest due an upper-level trough. Now over 74 °F (23 °C) waters, the system continued to weaken as wind shear increased further. On August 30, Javier weakened into a depression and dissipated the next day over 1,000 mi (1,610 km) southwest of Southern California. Waves were 15 feet (4.6 m) high in some areas, prompting meteorologists to issue a high surf advisory. Hurricane Javier brought the highest waves of the summer to southern California.

Tropical Storm Kay

In late August, a tropical disturbance formed 725 mi (1,165 km) east-southeast of Hurricane Javier and nearly 370 mi (595 km) south of the Baja California Peninsula. Moving slowly west, the disturbance began to develop a well-defined circulation, and was respectively upgraded into a tropical depression on August 28. Passing 10 mi (16 km) south of Clarion Island, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Kay. The cyclone's forward speed increased; subsequently, Kay reached its peak intensity. After maintaining its intensity for 18 hours, Kay rapidly weakened over cold water, and was downgraded into a depression at 0000 UTC September 2. Kay dissipated the next day several hundred miles west of the Baja California Peninsula.

Tropical Storm Lester

A westward-moving tropical wave increased in thunderstorm activity, soon organizing into a tropical depression on September 13. At the time of the upgrade, Lester was located more than 900 mi (1,450 km) west of the Mexican coast. Moving towards the west, the depression soon intensified into Tropical Storm Lester. After turning towards the west-northwest, Lester peaked in intensity as a moderate tropical storm. Due to a combination of strong wind shear and cold water, Lester began a slow weakening trend. While entering the CPHC's area of responsibility at 1800 UTC September 17, Lester had already weakened to a tropical depression. Unable to maintain a closed circulation, the final advisory was issued.

Tropical Storm Madeline

A tropical disturbance first developed during September 13 and September 14 over the warm waters south of Acapulco. On September 15, the EPHC first classified the system as a tropical depression. Rapidly moving towards the west, the depression was embedded in deep easterly flow. The system attained tropical storm intensity on 1800 UTC September 16, thus received the name Madeline. After turning towards the west-northwest, Tropical Storm Madeline accelerated. It began a slow intensification trend, and peaked as a high-end tropical storm on 0600 UTC September 18. An upper-level low introduced strong wind shear, and Madeline began to fall apart almost immediately thereafter. After turning towards the north, and slowing down, Madeline dissipated on September 22.

Hurricane Newton

The origins of Newton were from a tropical disturbed weather near Nicaragua in mid-September. Steered by an upper-level trough located over the Western United States, the system moved westward and developed into a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on September 18. It was located beneath an anticyclone situated the Central United States and over sea surface temperatures of 84 °F (29 °C). The system steadily intensified as it paralleled the Mexican coast, and was upgraded into Tropical Storm Newton early on September 20. Within 24 hours, Newton had attained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h). Meanwhile, the storm turned northwest. At 0600 UTC September 21, the EPHC reported that Newton had attained hurricane strength while located about 200 mi (320 km) west-northwest of Manzanillo, Colima. Shortly after becoming a hurricane, a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigated Newton, observing winds of 79 mph (127 km/h). Six hours later, the hurricane reached its minimum pressure of 984 mb (29.1 inHg). After moving north-northwest, the hurricane briefly turned northwest, in the general direction of the Baja California Peninsula the next day. On 1800 UTC September 22, Hurricane Newton made landfall northeast of Cabo San Lucas as a minimal hurricane. After emerging into the Gulf of California, the storm reached its peak wind speed of 85 mph (135 km/h). At this time the tropical cyclone was situated about 60 mi (97 km) north of La Paz, Baja California Sur. By 1800 UTC September 23, the hurricane moved ashore near Punta Rosa and quickly dissipated. The remains of the cyclone moved into New Mexico. The remnants of Hurricane Newton transversed the Central United States and the Mid-Atlantic States until it entered the Atlantic Ocean later in the month.

Prior to the system's first landfall, the EPHC noted the threat of high waves, storm surge, and flooding. In addition, the navy, army, and police were on high alert in populated areas like La Paz due to the hurricane. On the mainland, roughly 700 people evacuated to shelters in Huatampo, a city that at that time had a population of 9,000, and Yavaros prior to landfall, but within hours after the passage of the hurricane, all but 127 had returned home. Upon making landfall on the Baja California Peninsula, moderate rainfall was recorded though officials reported no emergencies. In Huatabampo, roofs were blown off of 40 homes. High winds blew down trees and utility poles. In addition, a peak rainfall total of 9.23 inches (234 mm) was reported in Jopala. Overall, damage in Mexico was minor and less than anticipated. Because Hurricane Newton, along with a cold front, was predicted to cause heavy rains over portions of the United States, flash flood warnings and watches were issued by the National Weather Service for parts of western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Across the country, the highest rainfall was 5.88 inches (149 mm) in Edwardsville, Kansas. The rainfall extended as far east as Pennsylvania. In Kansas City, Missouri, 20,000 customers were without power since heavy rainfall downed power lines. Snow was observed in the mountains, with up to 5 in (13 cm) of snow in Colorado. Flagstaff, Arizona recorded their earliest day of 1 in (2.5 cm) of snow on record. Winds from the storm peaked at 72 mph (116 km/h) in the state of Colorado and 64 mph (103 km/h) in the state of Kansas.

Hurricane Orlene

Hurricane Orlene originated from a stationary tropical disturbance that was upgraded into a tropical depression on September 21. Despite a poorly defined circulation, the cyclone intensified into Tropical Storm Orlene 12 hours after formation. Steadily gaining strength, Orlene reached hurricane intensity on September 22. Shortly thereafter, the hurricane entered the CPHC's area of responsibility. Upon the formation of an eye, Orlene reached its peak intensity of 80 mph (130 km/h). After maintaining peak intensity for 24 hours, Hurricane Orlene began to encounter strong wind shear. Subsequently, Orlene weakened rapidly and lost hurricane status at 1800 UTC September 23. The system weakened into a tropical depression on September 24. Tropical Depression Orlene dissipated the next day.

Hurricane Paine

A tropical disturbance developed on September 27 within 250 mi (400 km) of the Mexican coastline. The disturbance was upgraded into Tropical Depression Twenty-Three on 0000 UTC September 28. Tropical Depression Twenty-Three moved west-northwestward, lured poleward by an upper-level trough near northern Mexico. At 0000 UTC September 30, the depression became Tropical Storm Paine, southwest of Acapulco. Roughly 21 hours later, a NOAA Hurricane Hunter flight found winds of 90 mph (140 km/h), upgrading Paine into hurricane. The hurricane peaked as a Category 2 hurricane on October 1 as it turned northwest, headed towards the Gulf of California. Hurricane Paine did not intensify further due to the presence of mid-level wind shear and dry air. The outer eyewall moved across Cabo San Lucas, and the resultant land interaction was believed to have slightly weakened the inner core of the hurricane. Paine moved ashore near San José, Sonora with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). The storm weakened as it moved over land going through Mexico and then entering the United States. Paine dissipated on October 4 over Lake Michigan.

Rainfall from the tropical cyclone was significant in Mexico and the United States. Light rain fell in Cabo San Lucas. Meanwhile, rains around the Mexican Mainland peaked at 12 inches (300 mm) in Acapulco. Near the area around where it made landfall, strong winds knocked down trees and caused disruptions to city services. In the United States, rainfall peaked at 11.35 inches (288 mm) in Fort Scott, Kansas. The Barnsdall, Oklahoma weather station recorded 10.42 inches (26.5 cm) on September 29, which set a record for the highest daily precipitation for any station statewide. The flooding affected 52 counties in Oklahoma, which resulted in a total of $350 million in damage. In all, Paine was described as one of the worst floods in Oklahoma history. Flooding from Paine resulted in about 1,200 people homeless in East Saint Louis, Illinois and resulted in record discharge rates along many streams and creeks. Subsequently, many reservoirs were nearly filled to its capacity. For example, the Mississippi River in St. Louis reached the fifth highest flood stage on record.

Hurricane Roslyn

In October, a tropical disturbance crossed Nicaragua into the eastern Pacific, which developed into Tropical Depression Twenty-Four on October 15 offshore Guatemala. A ridge over Mexico steered the system to the west-northwest. Aided by warm water temperatures, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Roslyn on October 16. An eye soon developed, and Roslyn strengthened further into a hurricane on October 17 about 400 miles (640 km) south of Acapulco. Continuing to intensify, Roslyn attained reached peak winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) on October 19, making it the strongest hurricane of the season. Roslyn maintained peak intensity for about 18 hours. During that time, it recurved to the northeast due to a vigorous upper trough deepening offshore Baja California. Roslyn steadily weakened as it passed south of the Baja California peninsula. On October 22, it made landfall near Mazatlán, Sinaloa with winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). The low-level center rapidly dissipated, although the upper-level circulation continued northeastward along the advancing cold front. A frontal low developed in the western Gulf of Mexico, which moved over southeastern Texas and later through the Mississippi Valley. The original upper-level circulation maintained its northeast movement, bringing rainfall to the southeastern United States.

Prior to the hurricane's landfall in Mexico, 2,000 people evacuated coastal areas. One yacht sank during the hurricane. Prior to moving ashore, Roslyn dropped light rainfall in extreme southern Baja California Sur. On the mainland, precipitation extended to the southeast and northwest of where the hurricane moved ashore; the peak total was 13.11 inches (33.30 cm) to the southeast of Mazatlán. This led to some flooding. The highest reported winds from a land station were 44 mph (71 km/h), with gusts to 53 mph (85 km/h). Impact was limited to flooded homes and factories, as well as some crop damage and beach erosion. The remnants of Roslyn produced heavy rainfall across the central and southern United States, peaking at 13.8 inches (35.05 cm) in Matagorda, Texas. The storm prompted flash flood watches in southeastern Texas, and the resulting rainfall flooded roadways and streams. Roslyn brought rainfall to areas still recovering from floods caused by the remnants of Hurricane Paine.

Other systems

In addition to the 17 named storms, there were eight tropical depressions during the season that failed to reach tropical storm strength. The second, Tropical Depression Seven, began as a large area of thunderstorms near Hurricane Estelle on July 17. Moving at a steady pace, the cyclone failed to intensify and attained peak intensity of 30 mph (45 km/h). Cool sea surface temperatures and its proximity to Hurricane Estelle eventually caused the depression to dissipate late on July 18.

Tropical Depression Eight formed on July 21 while located 1,000 mi (1,610 km) southwest of the Baja California Peninsula. Initially moving west-northwest around an upper-level high, the depression peaked with winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). It dissipated on July 24. Another tropical disturbance formed on July 24. A circulation developed two days later, and thus it was classified as Tropical Depression Ten. The cyclone remained a tropical depression for about three days before moving into the CPHC's area of responsibility on 1000 UTC July 27. A slow weakening trend began as the depression continued to move west at speeds of 30 mph (50 km/h). By 1800 UTC on July 29, it had become poorly organized around 1,000 mi (1,610 km) west-southwest of the Hawaiian Islands, and the final advisory was issued.

Tropical Depression One-C formed on July 27, possibly from the remnants of Tropical Depression Eight that dissipated a few days earlier well to the east of 140 °W. The depression tracked westward at a fairly rapid forward speed of 35 mph (55 km/h); however, it failed to develop past the depression stage. One-C passed well south of the Hawaiian Islands on July 28. On July 29 at 0000 UTC, it had dissipated to the southwest of the Hawaiian Islands and the final advisory was issued by the CPHC.

An area of disturbed weather developed a circulation on August 12 and was upgraded into Tropical Depression Twelve nearly 700 mi (1,100 km) south of the Baja California Peninsula. It drifted slowly to the northwest until it dissipated near 22 °N 110 °W on August 14. Peak maximum sustained winds were estimated at 35 mph (55 km/h). Tropical Depression Seventeen formed on September 8, 30 km (20 mi) east of Socorro Island and dissipated on September 9 over cold water without becoming a tropical storm.

One of the last cyclones of the season formed from a westward-moving tropical disturbance in the ITCZ. The disturbance moved at about 10 mph (20 km/h) and upon developing a circulation, was declared Tropical Depression Twenty-One at 0600 UTC September 19. However, the depression lasted for only six hours before dissipating, likely due to the close distance between it and Tropical Storm Madeline. Tropical Depression Twenty-Five was the final tropical depression of the 1986 season. It formed on October 22 at 1800 UTC near the 140°W line. Due to strong wind shear, the stationary storm had dissipated within 30 hours of formation. Even though no more official systems developed, a forecaster at the National Hurricane Center remarked that an unnamed tropical storm may have formed in November.

Storm names

The following list of names was used for named storms that formed in the North Pacific Ocean east of 140°W in 1986. This is the same list used for the 1980 season. A storm was named Paine for the first time in 1986, while Orlene and Roslyn were previously used in the old four-year lists. No names were retired from this list following the season, and it was used again for the 1992 season.

For storms that form in the North Pacific from 140°W to the International Date Line, the names come from a series of four rotating lists. Names are used one after the other without regard to year, and when the bottom of one list is reached, the next named storm receives the name at the top of the next list. No named storms formed in the central North Pacific in 1986. Named storms in the table above that crossed into the area during the year are noted (*).

Season effects