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User:Yellow Evan/Max

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Hurricane Max
Category 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)
Hurricane Max at peak intensity
FormedSeptember 9, 1987
DissipatedSeptember 18, 1987
Highest winds1-minute sustained: 155 mph (250 km/h)
FatalitiesNone
DamageNone
Areas affectedNone
Part of the 1987 Pacific hurricane season

Hurricane Max was one of the strongest Pacific hurricanes ever. On September 10, a tropical depression which had formed the previous day intensified into a tropical storm. Heading west-northwest, Max steadily intensified. On September 12, Hurricane Max reached Category 4 intensity. Max's maximum intensity as a strong Category 4 hurricane was the highest for the season, and the cyclone attained that strength on September 13. The hurricane's track then shifted north for a time, before turning to the west on September 15. That same day, the weakened to a tropical storm. The tropical cyclone dissipated on September 16. Hurricane Max stayed out to sea during its lifespan, and any impact it might have had is unknown.

Meteorological history[edit]

Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
triangle Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

A tropical disturbance left the Central American coast on September 8. On 1200 UTC September 9, a tropical depression formed over the warm waters south of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.[1] Located 937 mi (1,508 km) from Cabo San Lucas, the depression intensified into a tropical storm and was named Max.[2] Moving west-northwest, Max rapidly intensified. It became a hurricane on September 11, roughly 30 hours after begin named.[1]

Turning northeast,[2] Max continued to intensify. By September 20, the intensifying cyclone reached Category 2 intensity, and became a major hurricane (Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale) several hours later. Even though satellite estimates supported a much stronger hurricane, the storm's intensity remained a Category 3 hurricane. After undergoing a stage of unarrested development, Max resumed intensification. However, modern intensity estimates hinted that the storm could have been stronger during this phase than the intensity's listed in the hurricane database.[3] On September 12, Hurricane Max reached Category 4 intensity. The cyclone reached its maximum windspeed of 155 mph (250 km/h) on September 13, making Max the strongest storm of the season.[2] At that time, Dvorak classifications, a tool to measure a tropical cyclones intensity, were at 7.0, which was the highest ever recorded at that time.[1] However, its intensity was later matched by Hurricane Hernan of the 1990 Pacific hurricane season which itself was outstripped by Trudy in October of 1990.[4][5]

Max maintained its then unprecedented intensity for 24 hours. However, the storm crossed the 26 °C (79 °F) isotherm and began to rapidly weaken, although the storm's actual intensity remained stronger than what the modern satellite intensity estimates indicated.[3] For example, early on September 14, the EPHC reported winds of 135 mph (215 km/h)*,[2] though intensity estimates suggested the storm had winds of 105 mph (170 km/h)*. [3] Several hours later, Max was downgraded into a Category 3 hurricane. By September 15, the storm was no longer a major hurricane. The hurricane's track then shifted north for a time, only to turn west the same day. Later that day, the cyclone weakened to a tropical storm.[2] Atmospheric conditions were not favorable for development, and was thus expected to dissipate within a few days.[6] The tropical cyclone dissipated at 1200 UTC September 16. At the time of dissipation, the distrubance was located 865 mi (1,390 km)* north-northeast of Cabo San Lucas.[2]

Preparations and impact[edit]

The hurricane was forecast to send 8 feet (2.4 m)* waves to Southern California, though Max was well past its peak at that time.[7] Despite its intensity, Hurricane Max stayed out to sea during its lifespan, and no impact was reported.[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d R.L. Cross (1987). "Eastern North Pacific Tropical Cyclones of 1987". Monthly Weather Review. 116 (10). American Meteorological Society: 2106. doi:10.1175/1520-0493.116.10.2106.1. Retrieved 7-31-2011. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); More than one of |work= and |journal= specified (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f National Hurricane Center; Hurricane Research Division; Central Pacific Hurricane Center (April 26, 2024). "The Northeast and North Central Pacific hurricane database 1949–2023". United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. A guide on how to read the database is available here. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b c Todd Kimberlain (April 16, 2012). Re-analysis of the Eastern North Pacific HURDAT. American Meteorological Society. {{cite conference}}: Unknown parameter |acessdate= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Avila, Lixion (1990). "Eastern North Pacific Season of 1990" (PDF). Monthly Weather Review. 119 (8). National Hurricane Center: 2034. doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1991)119<2034:ENPHSO>2.0.CO;2. Retrieved 2006-12-20. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |DUPLICATE_publisher= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Reuter (2-4-1994 to 2-7-1994). ""CYCLONE OF THE CENTURY" LEAVES 500,000 HOMELESS IN MADAGASCAR". GREENPEACE Climate Impacts Database. archive.greenpeace.org. Retrieved 8-1-2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Cool Summer Likely to end that way". 9-8-1987. Retrieved 10-23-2010. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |newspaer= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Jack Wiliams (7-15-2011). "Rain to soak central USA; East's in the clear". USA Today. Retrieved 8-1-2011. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
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