1976 Pacific hurricane season
| 1976 Pacific hurricane season | |
|---|---|
Season summary map
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| Seasonal boundaries | |
| First system formed | June 2, 1976 |
| Last system dissipated | October 29, 1976 |
| Strongest storm | |
| Name | Annette |
| • Maximum winds | 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
| • Lowest pressure | 925 mbar (hPa; 27.32 inHg) |
| Seasonal statistics | |
| Total depressions | 19 |
| Total storms | 15 |
| Hurricanes | 9 |
| Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) |
5 |
| Total fatalities | 614-964 |
| Total damage | $360 million (1976 USD) |
| Related articles | |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | June 2 – June 3 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1006 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | June 3 – June 14 |
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| Peak intensity | 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-min) 925 mbar (hPa) |
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | June 26 – June 29 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min) 987 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical depression (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | June 28 – June 30 |
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| Peak intensity | 35 mph (55 km/h) (1-min) 1003 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 14 – July 19 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) |
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 16 – July 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 27 – July 28 |
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| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1006 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | July 28 – August 2 |
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| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1004 mbar (hPa) |
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
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| Duration | August 5 – August 18 |
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| Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 999 mbar (hPa) |
The 1976 Pacific hurricane season was a very deadly and costly season. Hurricanes Kathleen, Liza, and Madeline were the most notable storms this year. Hurricane Kathleen caused death and destruction in California and Arizona due to flooding. Hurricane Liza was the deadliest storm of the season when it killed over 600 people in Mexico. Hurricane Madeline is notable for being the most intense Pacific hurricane at landfall. Also of note are that the final four systems all made landfall. These storms were (in order): Kathleen, Liza, Madeline and Naomi.
The season officially started May 15, 1976, in the eastern Pacific, and June 1, 1976, in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1976. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. In practice, the season lasted from the formation of the first storm on June 2 to the dissipation of the last on October 30.
This season had a slightly below average number of tropical storms, with fourteen. The number of hurricanes was average, with eight. The season had an above-average number of major hurricanes, with five reaching Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. Four of tropical depressions dissipated before they could reach tropical storm strength. There were five landfalls, including three by consecutive storms.
In the Central Pacific, one tropical cyclone, a hurricane formed. Two storms entered the region from the east. These totals are close to average.
Tropical Depression One formed June 2 at a location far out to sea. After moving west, it dissipated the day after it formed.
On June 3, Tropical Depression Two formed from an area of disturbed weather. Three days later, it became a tropical storm and was given the name Annette. It intensified rapidly, reaching Category 4 strength three days later, and its pressure plunged to 925 millibars. Its west-northwest path was well away from any land. Annette dissipated on June 14, without ever affecting land.
A tropical depression formed on June 26. It intensified into a weak hurricane the next day and headed westward. It then began to weaken. Bonny dissipated June 29, having never threatened land.
Tropical Depression Four formed on June 28 from a large area of thunderstorms. Having moved north for its short life, it made landfall near Salina Cruz on June 30 and dissipated shortly after that. Impact was minimal.
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Wikipedia