1971 Pacific hurricane season
| 1971 Pacific hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | May 21, 1971 |
| Last system dissipated | November 29, 1971 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | 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 | 52 |
| Total damage | Unknown |
| Related articles | |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | May 21 – May 25 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) ≤ 972 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | June 14 – June 20 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) 998 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 2 – July 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min) ≤ 980 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 2 – July 14 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-min) ≤ 951 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 7 – July 11 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) ≤ 1007 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 18 – July 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min) ≤ 991 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 20 – July 27 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 990 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 26 – August 7 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) ≤ 964 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 31 – August 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 115 mph (185 km/h) (1-min) ≤ 978 mbar (hPa) |
The 1971 Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, 1971, in the east Pacific, and on June 1, 1971, in the central Pacific. It ended on November 30, 1971. These dates conventionally delimit the period of time when tropical cyclones form in the east Pacific Ocean.
The 1971 season was above average with 18 named storms. Twelve hurricanes formed, of which six became major hurricanes by reaching Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. At the time, this was a record number of storms. This season had six landfalls (Agatha, Bridget, Katrina, Lily, Olivia and Priscilla), the highest number of landfalling Pacific tropical cyclones in one season.
On May 21, an area of low pressure developed in the very warm waters south of Tehuantepec, Mexico. Later that day, satellite images showed increasing circulation and Tropical Storm Agatha developed shortly after. Agatha continued moving to the west-northwest parallel to the Mexican coastline and strengthened into a hurricane on May 22. A U.S. Air Force weather reconnaissance aircraft flew into Agatha and found an eye and strong bands. The next day, a reconnaissance plane found winds of 85 to 90 mph (140 to 150 km/h). On May 24, a ship reported winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). Agatha made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale within 45 mi (75 km) of Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
The village of Playa Azul was hard hit by the storm. Up to half of the village's homes were destroyed. Also, much of the banana, mango, and coconut crop was destroyed.
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 (55 to 75 km) of Acapulco on June 17. Bridget later made landfall as a Tropical Storm about 100 mi (155 km) southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico. However, the Tropical Depression Re-entered open waters and dissipated on June 20.
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