2000 Pacific hurricane season

The 2000 Pacific hurricane season was an above-average Pacific hurricane season, although most of the storms were weak and short-lived. There were a total of 19 named storms, including 17 named by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and two by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC). There were six hurricanes, which was slightly below-average. Two of the hurricanes became a major hurricane, which is a Category 3 or greater on the Saffir–Simpson scale.

Seasonal activity began on May 22, when Hurricane Aletta formed off the southwest coast of Mexico. Aletta's formation was earlier than average, and it began a nine-year period of consecutive seasons with May storms. Aletta was also the first May Pacific hurricane since 1990. Two storms formed in June, including the season's strongest, Carlotta, which peaked as a strong Category 4 hurricane. The hurricane killed 18 people when it sank the Lithuanian freighter Linkuva. In July, three named storms developed, including Hurricane Daniel, which was the second-strongest storm of the season. Daniel briefly threatened the U.S. state of Hawaii while weakening. Also in the month, Tropical Storm Upana developed in the central Pacific, the first storm to do so since 1997.

August was the most active month of the year, with six storms forming. These included hurricanes Gilma and Hector, which remained off the southwest coast of Mexico, as well as Tropical Storm Wene, which crossed from the west Pacific into the central Pacific. In September, Hurricane Lane executed a rare loop off the southwest coast of Mexico, before its remnants produced thunderstorms across California. Also in the month, tropical storms Miriam and Norman made landfall in western Mexico. Miriam hit Baja California Sur, producing damaging rains. Norman hit the Mexican states of Michoacán and Jalisco, producing floods that killed nine people. In October, the remnants of Tropical Storm Olivia brought rainfall to the southwest United States. In November, the remnants of Tropical Storm Paul interacted with an upper-level trough to produce heavy rainfall over the Hawaiian islands, leading to flash floods and landslides. Damage on the island of Hawaiʻi totaled $88.2 million. Also in the month, Tropical Storm Rosa struck southeastern Mexico and dissipated on November 8, ending the season.

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Seasonal summary

For the north Pacific Ocean, east of 140° W, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) named 17 tropical storms; this was above the then 34–year average of 15.4 named storms. Six of the storms attained hurricane status, slightly below the average of 8.6 hurricanes. There were also two tropical depressions that did not reach storm strength. There were also four storms within the warning area of the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) between 140° W and the International date line, which was near average. This included two storms that formed within the central Pacific and were given Hawaiian names by the CPHC. The season was affected by a weak La Niña conditions, in which equatorial water temperatures were slightly cooler than usual. By September, activity was below average, with three named storms and the season's final hurricane, Lane. The accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) index for the 2000 Pacific hurricane season as calculated by Colorado State University using data from the NHC was 96 units.

Systems

Hurricane Aletta

A tropical wave crossed Central America and entered the Gulf of Tehuantepec on May 20. Deep convection developed near the center of the disturbance, and the system became the first tropical depression of the season on May 22 while located south of Acapulco, Mexico. A mid-level ridge forced a west-northwest track away from the Mexican coast. It intensified into Tropical Storm Aletta early on May 23 while located south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, becoming the first May tropical storm in four years. As it turned westward, it continued a slow intensification trend, before strengthening more quickly due to decreased wind shear. On May 24, Aletta attained hurricane status, and shortly thereafter reached peak winds of 105 mph (165 km/h); this made it a Category 2 on the Saffir–Simpson scale. After maintaining peak winds for about 18 hours, Aletta began a weakening trend due to increasing wind shear. At around the same time, a trough eroded the ridge that was steering the movement of Aletta, causing the hurricane to remain almost stationary for the next two days. The lack of motion resulted in upwelling which imparted additional weakening, and Aletta dropped to tropical storm status on May 27. It quickly deteriorated that day, and on May 28 the system dissipated well south of Cabo San Lucas after it began a slow north drift. The remnants lingered in the same area for the next several days. It drifted erratically while located just north of Socorro Island, and was downgraded to a tropical depression on June 16. By the next day, the depression degenerated into an area of low pressure, which persisted until June 19.

Bud passed near Socorro Island on June 15, with estimated one-minute winds of . The storm also caused large waves along the western coast of Mexico.

Offshore Mexico, waves reached in height. The Lithuanian freighter Linkuva suffered an engine failure about southwest of Acapulco, while encountering Carlotta's waves and strong winds. The freighter was lost, killing the crew of 18 people. officials evacuated about 100 families in potentially flooded areas of Acapulco as a precaution. Precipitation and clouds were reported in every Mexican state along the Pacific Ocean, resulting in flooding in some areas. Bahías de Huatulco International Airport in Oaxaca reported a wind gust of .

Tropical Storm Upana

A tropical wave organized into Tropical Depression One-C on July 20 while located southeast of the Hawaiian Islands. It moved nearly due west, strengthening into Tropical Storm Upana later on July 20. It was the first tropical storm to develop in the Central Pacific region since 1997 season. Despite a favorable environment, Upana strengthened little, reaching a peak intensity on July 21 with winds of . The storm had no deep convection in its circulation on July 22, and was downgraded to a tropical depression in the afternoon. Late on July 23, deep convection flared up, briefly strengthening the system again, but failed to re-gain tropical storm status, as it remained poorly organized. It dissipated on July 24, despite a low-shear environment favorable for development. On July 26, a westward moving disturbance in the central Pacific basin containing remnants of Tropical Storm Upana began showing signs of organization as it neared the International Date Line. The next day, a tropical depression, designated 12W by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), formed about east of Kwajalein Atoll. The system moved generally northwestward over the next day, and gradually became better organized. At 18:00 UTC on July 28, JTWC upgraded the depression to a tropical storm and named it Chanchu. Chanchu then tracked north, before dissipating on July 30.

The name Upana is Hawaiian for “Urban.”

Hurricane Daniel

A tropical wave exited western Africa on July 8, and crossed the Atlantic without any development. The wave reached the eastern Pacific by July 20, developing a low pressure area two days later. On July 23, the system organized into Tropical Depression Six-E, located about 660 mi (1,065 km) south-southeast of Manzanillo, Colima. The system continued generally to the west-northwest for much of its duration, steered by a subtropical ridge to its north. Late on July 23, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Daniel, which attained hurricane status a day later. A small eye-like feature formed in the center of the convection, which grew to a diameter of 17 mi (28 km) as it organized. Late on July 25, Daniel attained peak winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) and a minimum pressure of ; this made it a Category 3 hurricane. After maintaining peak winds for about 12 hours, Daniel weakened and fell to Category 2 status on July 27. A day later, Daniel re-intensified to a secondary peak of 120 mph (195 km/h), only to weaken again due to increased wind shear. On July 29, Daniel entered the central Pacific as a minimal hurricane, and it dropped to tropical storm status the next day. Around that time, a trough weakened the subtropical ridge to Daniel's north, resulting in a more northwesterly track. Late on July 31, the storm passed about 145 mi (230 km) northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Remaining north of the Hawaiian islands, Daniel weakened to a tropical depression on August 3 after the thunderstorms dwindled over the circulation. It turned more to the north, dissipating on August 5 to the northeast of Midway Island.

On July 30, the CPHC forecasted that Daniel would move across the Hawaiian island as a weakening tropical storm. As a result, the agency issued tropical storm warnings for Maui and the Big Island, with a tropical storm watch for Oahu and Kauai. Daniel produced waves along the eastern shore of the Big Island. Rainbands from Daniel produced thunderstorms over the Big Island and Maui.

Tropical Storm Fabio

On July 19, a tropical wave exited western Africa, and eight days later entered into the eastern Pacific. The wave first showed signs of organization on August 1 as it continued to the west. On August 3, Tropical Depression Eight-E developed about 620 mi (1,000 km) west-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima. A day later, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Fabio. Despite the presence of wind shear, Fabio strengthened further to reach peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h) on August 4. Soon after, the wind shear stripped the convection from the circulation, causing the storm to weaken. Fabio fell to tropical depression status on August 6, and by that time the circulation was becoming elongated. Nearby Hurricane Gilma increased wind shear over the area, and Fabio's circulation dissipated on August 8. The remnants continued to interact with the Gilma over the next few days.

Hurricane Gilma

Gilma's precursor was a tropical wave that moved off the African coast by July 21. The wave entered the East Pacific on August 2, and the formation of a well-defined center led to the formation of a depression on August 5, 250 nautical miles south of Manzanillo, Mexico. The system strengthened into a tropical storm at 12:00 UTC that day, at which point it became known as Gilma. Gilma gradually intensified and became a hurricane on August 8 at 6:00 UTC. Gilma reached peak intensity six hours later, with 80 mph (130 km/h) winds and a minimum pressure of . Soon after, Gilma moved over cooler waters, and it steadily weakened thereafter. It fell to tropical depression status early on August 10, dissipating later that day as it lost its remaining thunderstorms.

Hurricane Hector

In late July, a tropical wave exited Western Africa, reaching the eastern Pacific on August 9. Deep convection developed and organized, leading to the formation of a tropical depression on August 10. It was located about 185 mi (295 km) southwest of Manzanillo, Colima, and continued generally westward under the influence of a strong ridge. The depression quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Hector, as it developing banding features, a central dense overcast, and a ragged eye. Hernan became a hurricane on August 14, and it reached peak intensity 12 hours later with 80 mph (130 kn/h) winds. Subsequently, cooler waters and wind shear caused the hurricane to weaken. Hector fell to tropical storm status on August 15, and further to a tropical depression a day later, after the thunderstorms dwindled. The circulation dissipated on August 16, although the remnants continued westward and interacted with an upper-level trough. On August 20, the remnants of Hector produced thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across the Hawaii Islands. Flooding severely damaged eight homes in Waikele on Oʻahu. Wind gusts on the island reached , which felled tree limbs and caused power outages. The thunderstorms also flooded streams and roadways on the islands of Maui, Molokaʻi, and Hawaii.

Tropical Storm Ileana

A tropical wave emerged from the African coast on August 1. The wave later crossed Central America and southern Mexico into the Eastern Pacific. On August 13, a tropical depression developed near the southwest coast of Mexico. Early the next day, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Ileana. The storm paralleled the Mexican coast as it moved northwestward, steered by a ridge to the north. On August 15, Ileana attained peak winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) winds, with a minimum pressure of . Later that day, the storm passed just south of the Baja California peninsula at peak intensity. Ileana turned westward and weakened due to stronger wind shear. It fell to tropical depression status on August 16, and dissipated a day later. The remnants of Ileana continued westward, persisting until August 20.

The storm brought rainfall to much of Mexico from August 11–15. The highest precipitation total was , recorded in Ruiz, Nayarit.

Tropical Storm Wene

A tropical disturbance developed in the Western Pacific Ocean along the eastern periphery of the monsoon trough in mid-August. Located at 33° north, it steadily organized, and became Tropical Depression Sixteen-W on August 15 while located to the northwest of Honolulu, Hawaii. It moved eastward along the west–east-oriented surface pressure trough, and crossed the International Date Line later on August 15. Abnormally warm sea surface temperatures allowed the system to intensify despite its unusually high latitude, and it became Tropical Storm Wene on August 16. It quickly attained a peak intensity of , but weakened due to colder sea surface temperatures and wind shear. Wene continued to weaken, and dissipated when the storm merged with an extratropical cyclone.

Tropical Storm Kristy

The same tropical wave that spawned Tropical Storm Chris in the Atlantic later crossed into the eastern Pacific on August 22. Continuing to the west, it organized into Tropical Depression Fourteen-E on August 31. Despite significant shear, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Kristy on September 2, with peak winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). Kristy meandered far from land over the open ocean, and was soon affected by wind shear. Within 18 hours of attaining tropical storm status, Kristy fell to tropical depression strength. It dissipated on September 3, just 130 mi (210 km) from where Kristy formed.

Hurricane Lane

The precursor to Lane was a tropical wave that formed in the Atlantic Ocean on August 20. The wave moved across the Atlantic basin without development and crossed Central America on August 29. By September 1, the system was beginning to organize south of Mexico. On September 4, the system became a tropical depression southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. The next day the tropical depression became Tropical Storm Lane. After becoming a tropical storm, Lane executed a counter-clockwise loop, during that maneuver, the storm crossed its own wake and weakened slightly. The NHC described the loop as "quite rare in the eastern

Pacific". After finishing the loop, Lane continued westward and reached hurricane strength on September 9 while passing over Socorro Island. By September 11, Lane encountered cooler waters which weakened the hurricane back to tropical storm strength. Lane then encountered a trough that had formed off the western United States coastline. The interaction with the system caused Lane to curve northeast towards the West Coast of the United States. On September 13, Lane passed over cooler waters, causing it to weaken to a tropical depression. Lane then dissipated on the next day.

Lane passed directly over Socorro Island, where a weather station recorded a pressure of 973 mb. In an Jose del Cabo, Mexico, a weather station reported winds of .

Tropical Storm Miriam

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on August 29. It remained weak as it moved westward across the Atlantic Ocean, and entered the Pacific Ocean on September 9. As it moved west-northwestward, it organized, and developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen-E on September 15 while east-southeast of Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. Banding features became more pronounced, though convection remained intermittent. On September 16, the depression briefly became Tropical Storm Miriam, with peak winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). It quickly weakened back to a tropical depression as it continued north-northwestward. Miriam dissipated on September 17 while northeast of Cabo San Lucas.

In western Mexico, the storm dropped heavy rainfall, peaking at at La Cruz, Sinaloa. Precipitation in Los Cabos in Baja California Sur reached . Storm damage in Baja California Sur totaled US$22,000 (MX$205,000), and four municipalities were declared disaster areas.

Tropical Storm Norman

The same tropical wave that spawned Atlantic Hurricane Gordon later crossed into the eastern Pacific by September 16. It gradually organized off the west coast of Mexico, developing into a tropical depression early on September 20, located about south-southwest of Manzanillo, Colima. It moved slowly northward, strengthening into Tropical Storm Norman. Late on September 20, Norman attained peak winds of 50 mph (85 km/h). Around 20:00 UTC that day, the storm made landfall west of Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán at peak intensity. Norman rapidly weakened to a tropical depression over land, but it reemerged over the Pacific on September 21. A day later, Norman made landfall near Mazatlán, Sinaloa, as a weak tropical depression. Within a few hours, the cyclone dissipated over land.

Norman produced heavy rainfall across western Mexico, peaking at . The rainfall caused severe flooding and mudslides, killing nine people. Five were in Chiapas, including four due to a mudslide in Tapachula. There was another drowning death in the state, as well as four fatalities in Acapulco. About 300 families evacuated due to floods, and around 100 homes were damaged. The floods inundated roads, isolating three communities, and disrupting traffic between Colima and Michoacán. In the latter state, a bridge collapsed in Aquila, due to floodwaters. In Lázaro Cárdenas, damage to the port totaled US$18.8 million (MX$180 million).

Tropical Storm Olivia

A tropical wave left the African coast on September 16. Crossing into the East Pacific on September 28, the wave exhibited little thunderstorm activity until it developed a burst of deep convection late on September 30. After forming banding features, the system developed into Tropical Depression Seventeen-E at 12:00 UTC on October 2. It strengthened into Tropical Storm Olivia eighteen hours later. Moving west-northwestward away from Mexico, Olivia reached its peak intensity late on October 3 with 65 mph (100 km/h) winds, and a minimum pressure of . It maintained this intensity for 36 hours before an increase in wind shear caused by Atlantic Hurricane Keith caused it to weaken on October 5. After Keith made landfall on Mexico and dissipated, northeasterly shear relaxed, and allowed Olivia to re-strengthen and achieve peak winds again early on October 8. Continual westward movement brought the storm over cooler waters, and it began to weaken for a second time. Olivia dropped to tropical depression intensity early on October 9, and dissipated the next day. On October 12, the remnant circulation moved through Cochise County, Arizona. The system interacted with an upper-level trough over Nevada to produce heavy rainfall in the state, peaking at in Hereford. The rains led to flooding across southern Arizona, causing US$30,000 in damage. Several roads were closed, leading to high water rescues in eastern Tucson. Two roads were damaged in Santa Cruz County. The floods also damaged crops, and led to a few landslides.

Tropical Storm Paul

An area of disturbed weather emerged from the Intertropical Convergence Zone south of Mexico on October 22. Convection gradually organized and increased. On October 25, Tropical Depression 18-E formed to the south of the Baja California peninsula. It moved westward throughout its duration, Paul soon attained peak winds of . and Paul weakened to a tropical depression early on October 28. and Paul dissipated early on October 29, as it was becoming indistinguishable in the ITCZ.

The remnants of Paul continued westward, and interacted with an upper-level low, leading to thunderstorms that affected several Hawaiian islands. The highest precipitation was at Kapapala Ranch near Pāhala. This included measured over 24 hours from November 1–2, which was the highest 24 hour rainfall total for the island. Damage on the island of Hawaiʻi totaled $88.2 million, mostly related to infrastructure damage. The floods produced landslides and damaged seven bridges, including the only direct connection between Hilo and Pāhala. This led to a state of emergency and a presidential disaster declaration.

Tropical Storm Rosa

A tropical wave moved off the coast of Africa on October 18. After crossing the Caribbean Sea, the wave entered the East Pacific Ocean on November 1. Amid favorable conditions, Tropical Depression Nineteen-E developed on November 3, while located south of the El Salvador–Guatemala border. The depression moved westward due to a ridge to the north. On November 5, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Rosa. A mid-level trough eroded the high-pressure system, allowing Rosa to turn more to the north. On November 6, the storm reached a peak of . Soon after, Rosa weakened as it accelerated to the northeast. On November 8, the storm hit southern Mexico near Huatulco, Oaxaca, with winds of . It quickly dissipated over land. Rosa dropped heavy rainfall in southeast Mexico, peaking at near Unión Juárez, Chiapas. Damage in Oaxaca totaled US$15,000 (MX$140,000). This is the same list used in the 1994 season, as no names were retired from the list following that season. No names were retired from the list at the end of this season, so it was used again for the 2006 season.

{| width="90%"

Aletta
Bud
Carlotta
Daniel*
Emilia
Fabio
Gilma
Hector

Ileana
John*
Kristy
Lane
Miriam
Norman
Olivia
Paul

Rosa
<div style="color: #888;">Sergio (unused)</div>
<div style="color: #888;">Tara (unused)</div>
<div style="color: #888;">Vicente (unused)</div>
<div style="color: #888;">Willa (unused)</div>
<div style="color: #888;">Xavier (unused)</div>
<div style="color: #888;">Yolanda (unused)</div>
<div style="color: #888;">Zeke (unused)</div>

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.

{| width="45%"

Upana

Wene

Season effects

This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 2000 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 2000 USD.