1993 Pacific hurricane season

The 1993 Pacific hurricane season included more than double the average number of major hurricanes – Category 3 or stronger cyclones on the Saffir–Simpson scale. This activity was the result of an El Niño event, which is the main factor contributing to above-average activity across the Pacific basin. The season featured 15 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 9 major hurricanes. While the number of named storms was near the long-term average, the number of hurricanes was above the average of 8, and the number of major hurricanes far exceeded the long-term average of 4. Seasonal activity began on May 17 and ended on November 8, within the confines of a traditional hurricane season which begins on May 15 in the East Pacific and June 1 in the Central Pacific. The season ends on November 30 in both basins. These dates conventionally delimit the period during each year when most tropical cyclones form.

A majority of the season's storms formed from tropical waves between 10°N and southern coast of Mexico. While they generally followed the typical path away from Mexico before dissipating over cooler waters near 25°N, a persistent upper-level trough across the Western United States periodically curved storms into land. Tropical Storm Beatriz produced heavy rainfall and downed trees across Southern Mexico, causing 6 fatalities. In July, Hurricane Calvin struck Southwestern Mexico, prompting the evacuation of 42,000 residents, the displacement of 1,600 people, and 37 deaths. This area was later affected by Hurricane Jova in September, which flooded houses. Hurricanes Dora, Eugene, and Fernanda produced generally minor rainfall across the Hawaiian Islands, alleviating drought conditions. However, their large swells caused damage to beachfront homes and caused the death of a fisherman offshore. Hurricane Hilary produced heavy rainfall across portions of Mexico and California in August. The next month, Hurricane Lidia destroyed hundreds of homes, displaced over 10,000 people, and resulted in 7 deaths.

Storms

Hurricane Adrian

A low-pressure area and associated convection developed within the Intertropical Convergence Zone as early as June 9. Additionally, a tropical wave from Africa is estimated to have entered the East Pacific basin around this time. The combination of disturbances led to the formation of a tropical depression on June 11. Embedded within weak steering flow, the depression initially drifted towards the west and began to organize amid warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear. Eighteen hours after formation, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Adrian. Turning towards the northwest, Adrian gradually strengthened to attain hurricane status by 12:00 UTC on June 15. The storm reached a peak intensity of early the next day. It veered toward the southeast, encountering stronger wind shear which began to take toll on the cyclone. The system became nearly stationary and dissipated at 1800 UTC on June 19 without any effects to land.

Tropical Storm Beatriz

On June 14, satellite imagery revealed an increase in thunderstorm activity to the south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec, which may have been aided by the passage of a tropical wave. Moving little, a broad surface low developed with the cloud mass. Although the disturbance remained disorganized, a second tropical wave moved into the region on June 18, when the cloudiness there became better concentrated. A tropical depression formed at 06:00 UTC on June 18 while located approximately south-southeast of Huatulco, Oaxaca. Quickly strengthening, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Beatriz six hours later.

Moving generally towards the northwest, partially due to Tropical Storm Arlene's large circulation in the Gulf of Mexico, Beatriz reached a peak intensity of by 18:00 UTC on June 19. Shortly thereafter, the system made landfall near Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, and rapidly weakened to a tropical depression over the mountainous terrain of Mexico. Beatriz dissipated at 06:00 UTC on June 20, although the remnant cloudiness and associated convection from the storm spread across portions of the western Gulf of Mexico that same day. Beatriz caused extensive damage in southwest Mexico, especially from heavy rains and flooding. Accumulations generally varied between across Oaxaca, with higher totals of in Las Pilas and Salina Cruz, respectively. Six deaths were reported in the Mexican states of Morelos and Veracruz from flooding and downed trees attributed to Beatriz.

Tropical Depression Three-E

A large area of disturbed weather persisted south of Mexico for several days, perhaps enhanced by a westward-moving tropical wave that departed Africa on June 12. The disturbance organized into a tropical depression around 00:00 UTC on June 27 while located about south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec. The newly designated cyclone moved generally toward the northwest, passing about offshore Mexico near Puerto Escondido on its closest approach. Although the depression developed a symmetrical area of convection on June 30, it soon passed over cooler ocean waters and began to become disheveled. The system dissipated a short distance north of La Paz, Baja California Sur, around 00:00 UTC on July 2. No deaths or damage were reported, but some 300 families were evacuated in an unspecified area of the country. Situated just off the coast of Mexico, Calvin attained its peak intensity with winds of on July 7 but weakened slightly before moving onshore about west-northwest of Manzanillo, Colima, only the second July hurricane to make landfall on record at the time. The hurricane rapidly weakened and emerged back offshore in a much weakened state. Now a tropical depression, Calvin made its final landfall just south of La Paz before dissipating over cold waters in the region.

Following Calvin's closest approach, a weather station in Manzanillo recorded a wind gust of ; tropical storm-force winds were recorded in a few other locations. Several ships reported rough weather during Calvin's existence, with the Pacific Sandpiper reporting a maximum wave height of and winds of . In Acapulco, waves in excess of affected the city. In several states, heavy rainfall between was recorded, with a maximum accumulation of observed in Las Pilas. A state of emergency was declared in at least ten states in Mexico following Calvin's passage, and the Mexican Defense Department said that 42,063 people were evacuated in 11 states. Additionally, at least 1,600 people were left homeless. Rough seas near Lázaro Cárdenas caused all of sulfuric acid to leak aboard the previously beached cargo tanker, Betula. Calvin was responsible for $32 million in damage. It killed 37 people, of which most deaths were the result of heavy rainfall.

Hurricane Dora

A tropical wave departed Africa on June 27 and reached the East Pacific on June 9. It began to show signs of organization and developed into a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC on July 14. The system followed a west to west-northwest course for much of its duration under the influence of a subtropical ridge. It intensified into Tropical Storm Dora at 18:00 UTC and further strengthened into a hurricane 30 hours later. Dora intensified rapidly thereafter, with its winds increasing from to a peak of 130 mph (215 km/h) – equivalent to Category 4 intensity – during a 24-hour period ending at 18:00 UTC on July 16. After maintaining that strength for 18 hours, the cyclone encountered an upper-level trough to its west, which caused an abrupt uptick in wind shear while Dora simultaneously moved over colder waters. It gradually weakened and dissipated about east of the Hawaiian Islands at 00:00 UTC on July 21.

Hurricane Eugene

Tropical Depression Six-E developed south-southwest of the Baja California Peninsula at 18:00 UTC on July 15. Its genesis may have been related to a tropical wave that departed Africa on June 30 and reached the vicinity of the cyclone that day. After banding features improved, the depression was upgraded to Tropical Storm Eugene at 12:00 UTC on July 16. Eugene alternated on a west to northwest course for several days and gradually intensified, As the system peaked, it abruptly slowed and turned to the northwest under the influence of a cold-core low.

After peak intensity, Eugene began to weaken due to increasing wind shear and cooler ocean waters. It entered the Central Pacific on July 22 and continued to lose organization on satellite, making a later landfall on the southern side of the Big Island at 12:00 UTC on July 24 as a tropical depression. Across the Hawaiian Islands, the system produced beneficial rainfall and no major damage, though broken tree limbs and minor power outages were reported. A 45-year-old fisherman may have drowned when his boat was smashed in the storm's rough seas.

On August 15, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) issued a hurricane watch for Hawaii, and the next day issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island. Officials opened nine shelters on the Big Island, and about 200 people stayed in them until the hurricane watches were canceled. Officials on the Big Island closed and evacuated all of the beach parks on August 15. On Molokai, 40 hikers were evacuated from a valley prone to flooding. Residents bought emergency supplies on Kauai, which had been struck by powerful Hurricane Iniki 11 months prior. Although the hurricane remained away from the islands, moisture from Fernanda combined with an upper-level trough to produce rainfall across the state. Precipitation was heaviest in Kauai, where some minor flooding was reported. and it became yet another major hurricane at 06:00 UTC on August 19. Six hours later, Greg peaked as a Category 4 cyclone with winds of . The eye became obscured from view shortly thereafter, an indication that the storm had begun a weakening trend. However, owing to its roughly parallel track to ocean waters, Greg only slowly weakened over ensuing days. The cyclone curved west-southwest and crossed into the Central Pacific as a tropical depression on August 28. The system dissipated about east of Hawaii that day, though its remnant circulation meandered east of the island through early September. Hilary steadily gained strength, but its outflow remained restricted while moving northwest, parallel to the coast of Mexico due to a complex steering pattern. Hilary became a major hurricane early on August 21. Shortly thereafter, Hilary reached its peak intensity with winds of 120 mph (155 km/h) and developed a eye. On August 23, Hilary was downgraded to a tropical storm. The interaction continued to weaken Hilary before it resumed a northerly motion. On August 24, Hilary absorbed Irwin. Hilary made landfall in Baja California Sur twice as a strong tropical storm on August 25. As a tropical depression, Hilary made its final landfall on August 26 just west of Hermosillo, Sonora. While moisture from Hilary got pulled inland by a shortwave trough, the low level center dissipated in the northern Gulf on August 27.

Hurricane watches were issued for much of the southern coast of Mexico while tropical storm warnings were issued for the Baja California Peninsula and the Gulf of California coastline. A rainfall total of was recorded in Derivorda Jale, Colima. A rainfall total of was recorded in Huerta Vieja, Baja California Sur. Strong winds were recorded along the peninsula. Hilary also brought downpours to parts of California and Arizona, resulting in flash floods. Over 25% of the summer rainfall was recorded in portions of New Mexico. The remains of Hilary combined with a cold front to produce widespread flooding across the Midwestern United States. About fell in some areas of Iowa, forcing rivers overflow their banks. Hundreds of people evacuated their homes.

Tropical Storm Irwin

A tropical wave spawned Tropical Storm Cindy in the Atlantic and continued west, likely leading to an uptick in convection south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec on August 20. Around 06:00 UTC the next day, that disturbance organized into a tropical depression; six hours later, it developed into Tropical Storm Irwin. The cyclone maintained a poorly organized appearance for its duration, but observations along the Mexico coastline and from nearby ships suggest Irwin reached winds of at its peak. The system moved northwest parallel to the coastline of Mexico and underwent binary interaction with nearby Hurricane Hilary. That stronger, larger system absorbed Irwin around 18:00 UTC on August 22. Irwin produced a maximum rainfall total of in Jala, Colima, along with a wind gust to in nearby Manzanillo.

Hurricane Jova

A tropical wave moved off Africa on August 14 and remained a distinct feature on its voyage across the Atlantic. The wave spawned an area of disturbed weather south of Mexico that began to show signs of organization by August 26. Three days later, at 00:00 UTC, the system developed into a tropical depression. An upper-level anticyclone provided a low wind shear environment around the cyclone, facilitating its quick intensification over later days. It became Tropical Storm Jova at 18:00 UTC on August 29, a hurricane around 06:00 UTC on August 31, and a major hurricane – the fifth in August alone – eighteen hours later. On September 1, Jova became a Category 4 hurricane with peak winds of . The system encountered increasingly cool waters as it moved northwest parallel to the Mexico coastline and began to weaken accordingly, though this process was temporarily interrupted by a reappearance of its eye on September 2 and restrengthening into a Category 2 hurricane on September 3. As the system passed about south of Baja California Sur around 00:00 UTC on September 6, it was reduced to a bare swirl of statrocumulus clouds.

Hurricane Kenneth

On August 30, a tropical disturbance developed south of Panama. Around 12:00 UTC on September 5, the system organized into a tropical depression as thunderstorms coalesced into loosely defined rainbands. These bands increased in intensity over subsequent hours, signaling the cyclone's intensification into Tropical Storm Kenneth by 06:00 UTC on September 6. Over the coming days, the cyclone moved on a sinussoidal-like path across the East Pacific, alternating between west and west-northwest. On September 8, Kenneth attained hurricane strength, which was followed by its development into a major hurricane on September 10, shortly after an eye first appeared on satellite. Early the following day, it became a powerful Category 4 cyclone with peak winds of . Kenneth displayed a small but well-defined eye embedded within a very cold central dense overcast at this time. Soon, the cyclone encountered cooler waters and southwesterly wind shear on its northwest trek, which caused the system to decay. Kenneth dissipated at 00:00 UTC on September 18, though its remnant circulation persisted for a few more days. In a 24-hour period ending at 06:00 UTC on September 11, Lidia underwent a period of rapid intensification, with its winds increasing from to a peak of . Satellite imagery around this time showed a hurricane with a large, well-defined eye surrounded by intense convection. After peak, the cyclone recurved northeast ahead of an upper-level trough, bringing Lidia onshore south-southwest of Culiacan, Sinaloa, with winds of around 08:00 UTC on September 13. The system dissipated over central Texas on September 14 as it merged with a cold front.

Though no measurements were recorded, winds near hurricane force were reported near the storm's landfall point. Heavy rainfall accompanied Lidia, peaking at in La Cruz, At least 10,000 people were displaced throughout Mexico. including one from electrocution and one from the collapse of a structure. One person was injured as well.

Tropical Storm Max

Max's origin appears to be related to an area of convection south of Mexico that likely spawned from a tropical wave. The disturbance formed around 00:00 UTC on September 30 and intensified into Tropical Storm Max twelve hours later. In close proximity to strong upper-level winds, the newly designated cyclone was stripped it of its convection and weakened back to tropical depression strength on October 1. As it moved erratically over the open East Pacific, it soon became nestled underneath an expansive anticyclone aloft, which provided a low wind shear environment. Max regained tropical storm strength and reached peak winds of on October 2. Throughout its duration, the system moved erratically as it interacted with the larger circulation of Tropical Storm Norma to the east until finally it was absorbed by that cyclone around 00:00 UTC on October 4.

Tropical Storm Norma

A large area of disturbed weather was identified south of Acapulco on September 29, potentially spawned by a tropical wave that left Africa 12 days earlier. The disturbance was upgraded to a tropical depression at 1800 UTC on October 2 while centered about south of Baja California Sur. The system was originally embedded underneath a large anticyclone aloft, which provided a low wind shear environment for it to become Tropical Storm Norma on October 3 and reach peak winds of the next day. Around this time, the system absorbed the smaller Tropical Storm Max. Norma moved generally northwest and encountered strong southwesterly wind shear, which caused it to dissipate after 18:00 UTC on October 6.

Tropical Depression Seventeen-E

At 18:00 UTC on October 11, the season's final tropical depression formed over the East Pacific and moved northwest. The system was poorly organized, with a circulation elongated west to east, and embedded within an environment of strong wind shear. Thus, it never became a tropical storm and instead dissipated around 00:00 UTC on October 14. This is the same list used for the 1987 season except for Kenneth, which replaced Knut. The name Kenneth was used for the first time in 1993. No names were retired from this list following the season, and it was used again for the 1999 season.

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Adrian
Beatriz
Calvin
Dora*
Eugene*
Fernanda*
Greg
Hilary

Irwin
Jova
Kenneth
Lidia
Max
Norma

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. One named storm, listed below, formed in the central North Pacific in 1993. Named storms in the table above that crossed into the area during the year are noted (*).