2014 Pacific hurricane season | |
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Seasonal boundaries | |
First system formed | May 22, 2014 |
Last system dissipated | November 5, 2014 |
Strongest storm | |
Name | Marie |
• Maximum winds | 160 mph (260 km/h) (1-minute sustained) |
• Lowest pressure | 918 mbar (hPa; 27.11 inHg) |
Seasonal statistics | |
Total depressions | 23 |
Total storms | 22 |
Hurricanes | 16 (record high, tied with 1990, 1992 and 2015) |
Major hurricanes (Cat. 3+) | 9 |
Total fatalities | 50 total |
Total damage | ≥ $1.52 billion (2014 USD) (Fifth-costliest Pacific hurricane season on record) |
Related articles | |
The 2014 Pacific hurricane season was one of the busiest and costliest Pacific hurricane seasons since the keeping of reliable records began in 1949. The season officially started on May 15 in the East Pacific Ocean, and on June 1 in the Central Pacific; they both ended on November 30. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in these regions of the Pacific.
Entering the season, expectations of tropical activity were high, with most weather agencies predicting a near or above average season. The season began with an active start, with three tropical cyclones developing before June 15, including two Category 4 hurricanes, of which one became the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded in May in the East Pacific. After a less active period in late June and early July, activity once again picked up in late July. Activity increased in August, which featured four major hurricanes, and persisted throughout September and October. However, activity finally waned by early November. Overall, the 22 tropical storms marked the highest total in 22 years. In addition, a record-tying 16 hurricanes developed. Furthermore, there were total of nine major hurricanes, Category 3 or greater on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale, including a then-record-tying eight in Eastern Pacific proper (east of 140°W).
The active season resulted in numerous records and highlights. First, Hurricane Amanda was the strongest May hurricane and earliest Category 4 on record. A month later, Hurricane Cristina became the earliest second major hurricane, although it was surpassed by Hurricane Blanca the following year. In August, Hurricane Iselle became the strongest tropical cyclone on record to strike the Big Island of Hawaii while Hurricane Marie was the first Category 5 hurricane since 2010. The following month, Hurricane Odile became the most destructive tropical cyclone of the season and the most intense and destructive tropical cyclone to make landfall over the Baja California peninsula.