waters Factors weakening Hawaii-bound tropical cyclones. As pointed out by University of North Carolina - Charlotte graduate student Eric Webb, there was a case of a major hurricane punching through the Big Island and Maui in August 1871, as a January 2018 study uncovered. * August 2000: Hurricane Daniel passed north of the islands, bringing a few thunderstorms but no significant flooding. tornado swept through the district, spreading desolation and ruin in its * August 1966: Hurricane Connie brought heavy rain to Big Island and Maui without making landfall. Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, Hawaii's Partnership for Appropriate & Compassionate Care, Tropical storms and hurricanes are rare in the Hawaiian Islands, but 2014 is one of their most active years on record. * July 1993: Hurricane Eugene dropped valuable rain on the state as it dissipated. The dissipation of storms is even more evident in a closer view map (from Wikipedia) of the Central North Pacific zone. Rainfall accumulated to 4 inches. Of course, an El Nio does not guarantee a hurricane will impact Hawaii. away from O'ahu and passing directly over Kaua'i near the height of its intensity. It's this high-pressure zone that keeps Hawaii's weather fairly consistent throughout the year. No Dot-related deaths were recorded. Storm surge and overwash While there are usually between four or five tropical cyclones in the central Pacific ocean each year, fewer than ten have gotten within 200 nautical miles of the islands since records began to be. Satellite images of Hurricane Flossie's breakup when approaching Hawaii Island fueled this idea. The storm was weakening as it neared the Islands, with maximum sustained winds over Kaua'i still exceeding 80 mph, which snapped trees and caused major . Nina moved north and took a sharp turn to the west without actually striking the state. The storm wobbled northward toward the Islands, finally veering The rarity of the situation and the long lull between these storms and Iniki, speaks to how unusual it is for Hawaii to be hit by tropical cyclones (the generic term for tropical storms and hurricanes), even though the island is synonymous with the tropics. 'Iwa carried a broad reach, producing conditions If it stays a hurricane, it will be the first to hit the Big Island head-on since records began in 1950, and could even be the first since a possible cyclone hit in 1872, said National Weather . Table 5.53-- MAJOR HURRICANES: 1950 TO 2013 Maximum recorded winds ashore (m.p.h.) The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. It's been more than two decades since the last hurricane hit the 50th state. Iwa killed one person and did $250 million in damage, making it the second most damaging hurricane to ever hit Hawaii. Persons who know a warrant is, The monthly test of the all-hazard Statewide Outdoor Warning Siren System, coordinated with the test of the Live Audio Broadcast. The waters around Hawaii at present arent cool enough to cause dramatic weakening of Iselle before it hits the Big Island. It's quite rare to have two storms right behind each other . Peak gusts Deaths: Property damage . No Dot-related deaths were recorded. Hurricane Dot (1959) caused damage to Kauai. August 1950: Hurricane Hiki passed north of the islands, bringing gale winds. with hurricane intensity, the modern era The storm dissipated near British Columbia. Classic cars. Like the other residents of Hawaii, meteorologists will have to watch and wait, hopefully stocked with at least three days of food and water for their families and prepared to lose power at least for a while. section of the storm, sweeping the island with 80 mph winds and causing In other words, a hurricane finding Hawaii is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. The map also shows how Hawai'i lies near the 27 C ocean surface temperature threshold in the warm month August and the wind shear resulting from surface tradewinds (green arrows) blowing in the opposite direction of the upper air winds (purple arrows). Also helping shield Hawaii from tropical systems are the relatively cool waters around the islands, especially to the north and east of the chain. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. The storm remained powerful enough, however, to bring torrential rains, damaging surf and strong winds that destroyed crops, including over 1/2 of the state's papaya crop, and knocked down thousands of trees, particularly invasive albizia trees in the Puna District. From 1950 through 2017, only 14 hurricanes have passed within 200 nautical miles of the Big Island, Maui, Honolulu or Kauai, according to NOAA's historical hurricane database. one of the most severe ENSO years on record. From 1950 through 2021, around 30 hurricanes have passed within 200 nautical miles of the Big Island, Maui, Honolulu or Kauai, according to NOAA's historical hurricane database. [4] 675 Wharf Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, HI 96761 * October 1983: Hurricane Raymond took a path similar to Gils, but as a depression, causing no damage. Iwa killed one person and did $250 million in damage, making it the second most damaging hurricane to ever hit Hawaii. * 1986 Estelle 2 * July 1957: Hurricane Kanoa, after taking a long journey across the eastern Pacific, became a non-tropical circulation a few miles east of Hawaii. The storms winds will mainly be a threat to the Big Island and Maui, Cantin said, while the rains going to be a problem everywhere.. "Hurricane Iniki caused nearly $3 billion in damage in Hawaii back in September 1992, which would . * August 1988: Tropical Storm Gilma moved through the island chain as a depression, dropping locally heavy rainfall of up to 4 inches in some places. The state ranks as the 48th most active in terms of touch downs, with 40 confirmed tornadoes since 1950. . Damages from Dot cost no more than a few million dollars, and rainfall was relatively light; around 4 inches. By summer, those same waters can reach 82 degrees. It moved across the islands, dropping considerable rainfall and causing about $500,000 of damage, before dissipating. Oahu has not been directly hit by a hurricane, though hurricanes have passed very close to the island. By the way, did you know that you can now save $10/person on our Maui Princess Dinner Cruise or a Snorkel Adventure to the Island of Lanai? (MORE:Fewer Atlantic Hurricanes Expected This Season). One died from Hiki. The last time a hurricane was bearing down on the Hawaiian Islands, Steven Spielberg was on Kauai finishing filming of the now iconic movie Jurassic Park when Hurricane Iniki hit the island as a Category 4 storm. Only two tropical storms have hit the islands since 1949--an unnamed 1958 storm which hit the Big Island, and. however, the tornado dissipated before causing any damage. The costliest hurricane in Hawaii's history,Hurricane Iniki, originated in the eastern Pacific as Tropical Depression Eighteen-E on Sept. 5, 1992. that appear to have been tropical cyclones. The main thing is that Hawaii is kind of a sweet spot in terms of the weather, Cantin told Climate Central. $3 billion. Another side effect of El Nio is that the trade winds that sometimes trap tropical cyclones well south of the islands relax, making these lingering storms south of the islands more susceptible to be drawn northward. Since 1949, the Hawaiian Islands have received a direct hit from just two hurricanes--Dot in 1959, and Iniki in 1992. In El Nio years, this idea changes some. I don't think that has happened before, Brian McNoldy, a hurricane researcher at the University of Miami, said in an email. Additionally, at total of 52 inches (1321 mm) of rain fell over 4 days in Kauai. In the vast Pacific Ocean, Hawaii's total land area is only about 6,400 square miles, the fourth smallest U.S. state by land area, larger than only Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. * November 1982: Hurricane Iwa was one of Hawaiis most damaging hurricanes. The world's coral reefs are dying. The USGS states that "more commonly, near-misses that generate large swell and moderately high winds causing varying degrees of damage are the hallmark of hurricanes passing close to the islands. * August 1991: Hurricane Fefa dissipated shortly before landfall. Although it was only a Category 1 storm, it passed just miles west of Kauai, moving at a speed of nearly 50 miles per hour (80 km/h). In other words, hurricanes aren't even physically possible in Hawaii for over half of the year. While it is probable Dot: August 1959. Two people on Oahu drowned in rough surf. * 1950 Hiki 1 highest frequency of tropical cyclones in the Central North Pacific zone occurs during El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) years. This includes a few Category 4 eastern Pacific hurricanes that fizzled, such as Felicia (2009),Orlene (1992) and Raymond (1983). It remains the second costliest East/Central Pacific hurricane on record, only behind Hurricane Paul in 1982. High surf with heights of up to 15 feet were reported on the windward sections of Big Island. Flooding caused This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM. cyclones form in this zone each year with 30% of these storms developing into hurricanes. Nina set a record for the highest wind gust ever recorded in Honolulu: 82 miles per hour. for residential construction, for example. Six people were killed and more than 1,000 homes damaged during the 1992 hurricane. Ninas closest approach to land was about 120 miles southwest of Kauai. The storm was weakening as it neared the Islands, with maximum Like 'Iwa, Iniki formed south of Hawai'i during a strong * July 1994: Tropical Storm Daniel dumped 5 inches of rain over the windward slopes of Big Island. The article was first published on August 7, 2014. Cooler sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific waters to the east of the Big Island of Hawaii keep the air somewhat cooler above it, increasing the stability of the atmosphere, making it less susceptible to forming and maintaining thunderstorms. One such hurricane formed in an El Nio year: 1992. From 1950 through 2017, only 14 hurricanes have passed within 200 nautical miles of the Big Island, Maui, Honolulu or Kauai, according to NOAA's historical hurricane database. A sidewalk is ripped up and littered with downed palm trees after Hurricane Iniki slammed the island of Kauai, Hawaii in September, 1992. Severe property damage was inflicted on the island; up to $250 million (a record for that time). Pre1950 Despite being greatly weakened, the hurricane brought gusts of over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). Nina's closest approach to land, which was relatively far off the coast, was only about 120 miles (190 km) southwest of Kauai. widespread Two people were injured by lightning. Only light rain was reported. Flash floods occurred on Hanalei River forcing the closure of Kuhio Highway. Hawaii may be paradise, but like the Caribbean Sea, hurricanes are part of its history. HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii is grateful for many near-misses from hurricanes in recent decades. This is the reality of a meteorological rule of thumb. * July 1971: Hurricane Denise dissipated before reaching Hawaii, but brought beneficial rain of more than one inch to dry farms and sugar plantations. Iselle grew into a powerful Category 4 hurricane and took aim at Hawai'i in early August, 2014. * August 1938: A possible tropical cyclone produced heavy wind and rain across the state. Wind shear (the change in wind speed and/or direction with height) is typically stronger near the Hawaiian islands, acting to displace thunderstorms from the cyclone's center. The hurricane-strength winds are in a fairly compact area, but they could still pack a serious punch, as the islands infrastructure hasnt had to handle such ferocious sustained winds. codes, with Kaua'i opting for higher standards of construction by requiring On average, about five tropical {.FJ!FFK2IHxyDsSw0IA1?T6],#LP_C%`L }^d"!sQq2OI\t)dO6O6!EgKzPBI{?B$_O |3x!L. Most of the storm damage was done by these falling trees, including knocking down power lines and blocking roads. 1950s. Dr.Knabb, also a former deputy director at NOAA's Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu, points out thatthere is no meteorological reason why the core of a major hurricane can't directly hit Honolulu, resulting in destructive storm surge flooding, wind damage, and rainfall flooding affecting a metro population (minus tourists) of just under 400,000. The island of Kauai was especially hard hit by damaging winds. The most common months for cyclones in this area are July, August, and September, but they have occurred in most months (see below). 1950s The costliest hurricane in Hawaii's history,Hurricane Iniki, originated in the eastern Pacific as Tropical Depression Eighteen-E on Sept. 5, 1992. Only two named storms approaching from the east have hit the islands since 1949, an unnamed 1958 tropical storm and Tropical Storm Iselle of 2014, which hit the Big Island. A sidewalk is ripped up and littered with downed palm trees after Hurricane Iniki slammed the island of Kauai, Hawaii in September, 1992. According to the NOAA historical hurricane database, from 1950 - 2017, only 14 hurricanes have ever passed within 200 miles of Hawaii. When tropical cyclones approach Hawaii, they tend to come from the southeast. that many of these events were actually organized tropical cyclones, perhaps * July 2013: Tropical Storm Flossie passed through the central Hawaiian islands as a minimal tropical storm. Even before Hawaii became a state in 1959, it was a top tourist destination - and for good reason. Hurricane season in Hawaii usually falls between the months of June and November. In the vast Pacific Ocean, Hawaii's total land area is only about 6,400 square miles, the fourth-smallest U.S. state by land area, larger than only Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. Drier, more stable air from the subtropical high to the northeast of Hawaii eventually inhibits thunderstorms from persisting and remaining clustered near the cyclone's center. It should be noted that the ENSO is a Pacific- wide phenomenon during which ocean surface water warms in the Eastern Pacific and pressure Hurricane landfalls are rare in Hawaii, but brushes by tropical systems are common. There are several reasons why this happens so often. * JulyAugust 1983: Hurricane Gil passed over northern Hawaii as a tropical storm, causing minor damage. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Holidays. An example from the Big Island August 1959: Hurricane Dot was another powerful August arrival. August 1958: On August 7, a tropical storm seemed to rapidly appear directly off the coast of Hilo. About two-thirds of those systems drift westfrom the eastern Pacific basin. The mountainous terrain of the islands amplifies the rain threat and contributes to the threat of ensuingflash floodsand mudslides. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Vintage music. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Hawaiian OK, the water isn't that cool, but in order to form, hurricanes need water temperatures to be least 80 degrees. Well you can! That rarity is a product of where Hawaii is located. Next. It hit Kauai as a Category 4 on Sept. 11. * August 1976: Tropical Storm Gwen passed north of Hawaii, dropping 12 inches of rain across the entire state. Again, that track was initially well south of Hawaii before it curled north. All the islands reported some surf damage along their southwest facing shores, and wind damage was widespread on Kauai. * August 1994: Tropical Depression One-C passed just south of the islands, causing severe flooding in Hilo. The last one to do so was Category 4 Hurricane Douglas in July 2020, whose center came just 30 miles north of Oahu on July 26. reversed direction as the eye passed over the Island. building and a large portion of the thatched houses in the district; throwing When tropical cyclones approach Hawaii, they tend to come from the southeast. Dot swung northward after apparently The storm slammed into Hawaii in September as a Category 4 hurricane and was blamed for six fatalities.