1964 Pacific hurricane season
| 1964 Pacific hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | July 6, 1964 |
| Last system dissipated | September 9, 1964 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Odessa |
| • Maximum winds | 100 mph (155 km/h) |
| • Lowest pressure | 986 mbar (hPa; 29.12 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 6 |
| Total storms | 6 |
| Hurricanes | 2 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) |
0 |
| Total fatalities | Unknown |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| Related articles | |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 6 – July 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 1001 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 15 – July 19 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) 992 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 20 – July 24 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 70 mph (110 km/h) (1-min) 1000 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | August 21 – August 22 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 1006 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | August 23 – August 24 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 1006 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | September 7 – September 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 1000 mbar (hPa) |
The 1964 Pacific hurricane season was the least active Pacific hurricane season on record since 1953. The season officially started on May 15 in the eastern Pacific and June 1 in the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility and lasted until November 30 in both regions. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.
During this season only six tropical storms developed, of which two intensified into hurricanes. Of the two hurricanes, one reached Category 2 intensity of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. No storms reached major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher on the hurricane scale), an unusual occurrence. The first tropical cyclone of the season, Tropical Storm Natalie made landfall in Mexico in early to mid-July. About a week later, Hurricane Odessa became the strongest storm of the season in terms of wind speed. Tropical Storm Prudence brought high waves to Southern California, while becoming the strongest storm of the year in terms of barometric pressure. In addition, Tropical Storm Tillie produced severe flooding to much of the Southwestern United States, in particular in Arizona in early to mid-September.
With only 6 named storms, the season was well below the 1949–2006 average of 13 named storms and is the second fewest number of storms in the hurricane database, only behind the 1953 Pacific hurricane season, in which just 5 storms were observed. Moreover, 1964 is the least active season since the satellite era began in the basin in 1961. Of the six storms that formed, three formed in July, two developed in August, and the final storm of the year existed in early to mid-September. Only two tropical cyclones reached hurricane status, compared to the modern-day average of seven. Furthermore, 1964 is also one of the few seasons without a major hurricane. This season was part of a decade-long absence of major hurricanes; during the 1960s, only one major hurricane was observed and none were noted from 1960–1966. However, it is possible that some storms were missed due to the lack of satellite coverage in the region; at that time, satellite data was still scarce, and 1964 is still two years shy of the start of the geostationary satellite era, which began in 1966. Some efforts are underway to improve the records for this time period; however, this process will likely take years to complete. Also, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) was in the midst of a cold phase during this time period, which tends to suppress Pacific hurricane activity. During the season, tropical cyclone advisories were issued by the Naval Fleet Warning Central (NFWC) in Alameda, which held responsibility for the basin until 1970.
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Wikipedia