1985 Pacific hurricane season

The 1985 Pacific hurricane season was, at the time, the most recorded in a Pacific hurricane season until the 1992 season and was therefore recognized as the second busiest season within the basin until it was surpassed exactly thirty years later by the 2015 season. Overall, there were 24 tropical storms. In addition, 13 hurricanes developed. Furthermore, there were total of eight major hurricanes by attaining Category 3 status or higher on the Saffir–Simpson scale. The season also had an above-normal accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) rating of 193.1, despite the presence of a La Niña event, which typically results in less activity. It had the most storms for a La Niña year on record, largely due to average sea surface temperatures across the Eastern Pacific. This phenomenon did not occur again in future seasons. It officially started on May 15, 1985, in the eastern Pacific, and on June 1, 1985, in the central Pacific, and lasted until November 30, 1985. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the northeastern Pacific Ocean.

Despite the activity, only one system made landfall in 1985. Hurricane Waldo caused moderate damage in Northwestern Mexico and one death in Kansas. Surf from Hurricanes Pauline and Rick caused minor damage in Hawaii. Hurricane Nele resulted in disruption in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, while Hurricane Ignacio threatened Hawaii, but only ended up producing light rainfall and minimal damage.

Seasonal summary

Record activity

This year, 25 tropical cyclones formed in the eastern north Pacific (140°W to North America). Of those systems, three never strengthened beyond the depression stage, while 22 were named. This total was six storms above the 1966–1985 average though the 1992 Pacific hurricane season surpassed this record. This season is now the third-most active, being recently also surpassed by the 2015 Pacific hurricane season, which is now the second-most active overall. Of the named systems, 10 peaked as tropical storms, 12 as hurricanes, and 8 reached the intensity of major hurricanes by attaining Category 3 strength or higher on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale. The season lasted 170 days, three days longer than the previous season, but still then days longer than normal. The Eastern Pacific Hurricane Center (EPHC) issued 620 bulletins during the season, 35 more than the previous season. Within two more weeks, 13 tropical storms or hurricanes had formed, including 4 major hurricanes. By August 23, 2 more storms had been named. By early September, a total of 17 named storms had developed, 6 of which became hurricanes. Roughly two weeks later, two additional named storms were classified. After a lull in late September and early October, a total of 22 storms had formed by mid-October 21 of which developed in the EPHC's area of responsibility and the list of names was exhausted, forcing the agency to request emergency names. with another tropical storm forming off the coast of Central America roughly every 10 days. Throughout July, a record seven named storms formed, although this mark was matched in 2015 and 2016. The cause of the high activity in 1985 is unknown; however, this year continued a trend of above average seasons that began in 1982. The hurricane season took place during a La Niña event, which tends to inhibit Pacific hurricane activity. However, 1985 was during a warm phase of the Pacific decadal oscillation and in the middle of an era where all but the 1988 Pacific hurricane season were near or above average. there were several notable storms during the season, with one writer describing the season as the "worst year ever".

Hurricane Blanca

Blanca originated from a tropical disturbance south of Nicaragua. A tropical depression formed on June 6 south of the Mexican coast. Shortly thereafter, it strengthened and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Blanca. By June 8, the EPHC reported that Blanca had intensified into a hurricane.

Tropical Storm Carlos

Carlos originated from a tropical disturbance moving that was moving westward along the northern edge of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The wave developed into the third tropical cyclone of the season at 1800 UTC on June 7. Due to weak steering currents, the depression moved north and then south, which subsequently resulted in a very small cyclonic loop. By 0000 UTC on June 10, the depression was upgraded to a Tropical Storm Carlos; at the time, the storm also attained its maximum sustained winds of . However, six hours later, Carlos weakened back to a tropical depression. Thereafter, the storm accelerated somewhat, and quickly merging with the remnants of Tropical Storm Andres at 1800 UTC on June 10.

Tropical Storm Hilda

Tropical Depression Nine developed at 0000 UTC on July 18. Initially, the depression tracked northward due to weak southerly flow associated with an upper-level high centered near the southern tip of Baja California Sur. By 0000 UTC on July 19, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Hilda; the storm reached its maximum sustained winds of at this time. Thereafter, Hilda turned westward. Due to sea surface temperatures of only , Hilda began to weaken and it dissipated on 1200 UTC July 20.

The hurricane held peak intensity for several hours, however, an upper trough northwest of the Hawaiian Islands was gradually approaching Ignacio. Subsequently, the environment was rapidly becoming less conductive as the trough induced increased southwesterly wind shear and introduced colder and drier air into Ignacio's circulation. By 1800 UTC July 24, Ignacio was no longer a major hurricane as satellite imagery suggested that the eye had become irregular and soon disappeared. Air Force aircraft confirmed the weakening trend despite being located in an area where other hurricanes such as Hurricane Dot in 1959 and Hurricane Fico in 1978 maintained their intensity around the same time of the year. The hurricane resumed its westerly course, and Hurricane Ignacio was downgraded a Category 1 hurricane at 1800 UTC on July 25, and a tropical storm the next day. While passing south of Hawaii, Ignacio dropped to tropical depression status early on July 27, and dissipated shortly after that. subsequently, a hurricane watch was issued the next day for the Big Island.

Tropical Storm Kevin

A tropical wave crossed the Gulf of Tehuantepec on July 27 and developed into a tropical depression at 0000 UTC on July 29. While tracking west-northwestward between , the depression slowly intensified, and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Kevin at 1800 UTC on July 29. Crossing marginally warm sea surface temperatures, Kevin maintained tropical storm intensity while tracking westward. However, by August 5, vertical wind shear began increasing, which was generated by an upper-level trough. As a result, Kevin weakened to a tropical depression at 0600 UTC on August 6 and dissipated 12 hours later. and 100,000 people were asked to make emergency preparations. Instead, Pauline turned away from the islands and the watch was cancelled. However, Pauline did cause high surf along the east facing shores of all the Islands. up to surf was measured along the Big Island, Puna, and Kau coastlines. As a result, some roads were temporarily closed due to washed debris.

Hurricane Rick

In late August, a tropical wave began meandering westward south of Salina Cruz. Initially disorganized due to strong wind shear counteracting the warm waters that it was in, satellite imagery on August 31 indicated that the thunderstorm activity had increased in the vicinity of the wave on. Further development occurred, and on September 1, the (EPHC) upgraded the low into Tropical Depression Eighteen, with it strengthening into Tropical Storm Rick the next day. the system turned southwest due to a ridge, later resuming its westerly course on September 4. Despite being situated over warm waters and in a low wind shear environment, further intensification was initially slow to occur as Rick was east of Pauline, with it not attaining hurricane status until September 6. Moved northwest, Rick soon encountered increased southwesterly shear, causing it to weaken. On September 10, Rick's eye started to become ragged and cloud-filled, when it was downgraded into a Category 3 hurricane. A dropsonde released into the eye of Hurricane Rick showed a central pressure of . Recurving away from Hawaii, the system began to rapidly deteriorate and was reduced to a Category 1 hurricane during the evening hours of September 10. The next day, Rick was downgraded into a tropical storm east of Hilo, later merging with the same trough that absorbed Pauline. Despite this, a weak low-level circulation persisted for several more days. The hurricane approached the islands, coming close enough to require a high surf advisory. Even though Hurricane Rick turned north sooner than Pauline, the surf did rise somewhat.

After moving towards the west for an additional 18 hours, it subsequently began a sharp turn northwest and later west-northwest due to an intensifying trough off the west coast of Baja California. however, this did not occur.

Prior to the arrival of Waldo, the Mexican Army was put on standby in the event the Fuerte River flooded. much farmland and 600 houses were destroyed. A total of 10,000 people were left homeless across the state.

In combination with a cold front, Waldo contributed to major flooding in Kansas that forced many rivers and creeks to overflow their banks. One indirect death was reported and roughly 15 people were evacuated from their homes in one town. In Kansas City, Waldo produced of water on roads, but none of the nearby homes received extensive damage. The Sedgwick County, the county fire department freed 35 trapped people from rising flood waters. Flash floods affected the southern one–third of New Mexico from rainfall associated from Waldo. Damage was estimated between $100,000–$1 million (1985 USD), mostly to crops, roads, and buildings. In all, Waldo's rain was comparable to Atlantic Hurricane Gloria.

Hurricane Nele

The origins of Nele were from a tropical disturbance to the south-southeast of Hawaii on October 20. The tropical disturbance developed into Tropical Depression Three-C while located south-southeast of Hawaii on October 23. Although difficult to observe on satellite imagery, the CPHC upgraded it to Tropical Storm Nele early on October 24. Continuing to intensify, the storm tracked northwestward, following a similar path to Hurricane Iwa in 1982 and Hurricane Nina in 1957. On October 25, Nele attained hurricane strength as it turned to the north. On October 26 it attained peak winds of . It entered an area of weaker steering currents due to a nearby trough. This caused concern for the CPHC, who noted that a continued path would result in the hurricane moving through the island chain. Instead, Nele turned to the northwest at a steady pace and instead moved through the Hawaiian Leeward Islands, passing about west of French Frigate Shoals and very near Tern Island. Around that time, reconnaissance aircraft measured winds of and a pressure of . After passing through the island chain, the storm finally weakened and accelerated towards the north. Nele re-curved to the northeast, transitioning into an extratropical cyclone on October 30. Officials moved beach equipment away from the beach in preparation. About 24 hours after the hurricane watch was issued, it was dropped as Nele moved away from the islands, alongside the cancellation of a high surf advisory. The hurricane produced waves along south-facing beaches. Upon passing through the Leeward Islands, a weather station on Tern Island recorded winds of with gusts of , along with a pressure of . Many fishing boats spent a tough night at French Frigate Shoals due to high waves and seas. One vessel was partially disabled due to a broken rudder and required assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard. Another vessel reported winds of hurricane-force and to . Other fishing vessels near Maro Reef and Laysan Island had an easier time as they were in the weaker left of the hurricane. This is the same list used for the 1979 season, though names beginning with "X", "Y", and "Z" were added during season due to the high level of cyclogenesis. Storms were named Kevin, Linda, Marty, Nora, Olaf, Rick, Sandra, Terry, Vivian, Waldo, and Xina for the first time in 1985. The name Pauline was previously used on the old four-year lists. No names were retired from this list following the season, and it was used again for the 1991 season, though the name Dolores would be spelled as "Delores".

{| width="90%"

Andres
Blanca
Carlos
Dolores
Enrique*
Fefa
Guillermo

Hilda
Ignacio*
Jimena
Kevin
Linda*
Marty
Nora

Olaf
Pauline*
Rick*
Sandra
Terry
Vivian
Waldo

! colspan="3" | Added names

Xina

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.

Season effects

This is a table of all of the tropical cyclones that formed in the 1985 Pacific hurricane season. It includes their name, duration, peak classification and intensities, areas affected, damage, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but were still related to that storm. Damage and deaths include totals while the storm was extratropical, a wave, or a low, and all of the damage figures are in 1985 USD.