The 2022 Pacific hurricane season was the most active season since 2018, consisting of 20 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes. The season officially began on May 15 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and on June 1 in the Central Pacific, while both ended on November 30. Activity in the 2022 season stayed within these bounds; the first storm, Agatha, formed on May 19, while the last storm, Seymour, dissipated on November 9.
Storm formation began only a few days after the official start of the hurricane season, with Tropical Storm Agatha. The first (and strongest) major hurricane of the year, Blas, coalesced at the end of the month and continued into June. In that month, Tropical Storm Celia brushed by western Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula, though minimal impacts were recorded. In July, Hurricane Estelle took a similar track to Celia, but more significant flooding led to $2 million in damages and the death of one person. At the beginning of August, Tropical Storm Hone produced sporadic rain across Hawaii, and Hurricane Howard made landfall over Mexico as a Category 1 hurricane. The latter resulted in severe damage across the areas impacted, causing $118 million in damage. At the end of the month, Hurricanes Kay and Madeline brought further impacts to Baja California and western Mexico, with both costing an additional $128 million.
The hectic activity in August slowed down considerably come September, and no more storms made landfall. Three hurricanes, including two major hurricanes, formed afterwards, named Orlene, Iona, and Roslyn. Both Iona and Hone, the latter of which had formed in August, were the first storms to form in the Central Pacific since Tropical Storm Ema of 2019. The final storm of the season, Seymour, dissipated on November 9, marking the end of the season. Overall, the storms of the season were responsible for 20 lives and $248 million in damages.
Seasonal forecasts[]
| Record | Named storms | Hurricanes | Major hurricanes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average (1991-2020): | 15 | 8 | 4 | |
| Record high activity: | 1992: 27 | 2015: 16 | 2015: 11 | |
| Record low activity: | 2010: 8 | 2010: 3 | 2003: 0 | |
| Date | Source | Named storms | Hurricanes | Major hurricanes |
| May 12, 2022 | SMN | 16-18 | 8-10 | 3-4 |
| May 25, 2022 | NOAA | 14-19 | 6-10 | 2-5 |
| Area | Named storms | Hurricanes | Major hurricanes | |
| Actual activity: | EPAC | 18 | 10 | 5 |
| Actual activity: | CPAC | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Actual activity: | 20 | 11 | 5 | |
Forecasts for upcoming seasons take into account short-term and long-term trends that may affect tropical cyclone activity. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has defined the average season from 1991 to 2020 as having 15 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. While Accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) is often used to mark a season as above, below, or near average, the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes may also influence these classifications. For the 2022 season, a developing El Niño and somewhat above-average sea surface temperatures were expected to produce near-to-above average activity in the basin.
On May 12, the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional predicted that the season would feature 16-18 named storms, 8-10 hurricanes, and 3-4 major hurricanes, suggesting a slightly above-average season. On the 25th, NOAA released its forecast, anticipating the formation of 14-19 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 2-5 major hurricanes. In addition, they predicted that the seasonal ACE index would be within 70% to 110% of the median.
Seasonal summary[]
The 2022 Pacific hurricane season featured above-average activity, with 20 tropical cyclones (all of which were named), 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes. This has been attributed to the development of El Niño conditions, coupled with near-to-above average sea surface temperatures across the basin. The official boundaries of Pacific hurricane seasons are typically from May 15 in the East Pacific, or June 1 in the Central Pacific, to November 30. All of 2022's storms formed within this range, beginning with Agatha on May 19 and ending with Seymour on November 9.
The month of May saw the formation of two storms, Tropical Storm Agatha and Hurricane Blas. The latter reached a peak intensity of 150 mph (240 km/h) with a 933-mbar (27.55 inHg) pressure in early June, making it the strongest and most intense storm of the season. June featured another two storms, Celia and Darby; Celia brought minimal rainfall to Mexico, while Darby stayed out to sea and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane. In July, Hurricane Estelle formed, causing some flooding and torrential rainfall across Mexico. Additionally, the disorganized Tropical Storm Frank meandered across the open Pacific waters.
August was extremely active, with Tropical Storms Hone, Ivette, and Javier, along with Hurricanes Georgette, Howard, Kay, Lester, and Madeline. Hone became the first Central Pacific tropical cyclone in three years and brought some rain to Hawaii. Georgette and Lester were both powerful Category 4 hurricanes that stayed out to sea. Two concurrent systems, Ivette and Javier, were both lower-tier tropical storms did not impact land. Meanwhile, Howard, Kay, and Madeline caused severe damage across western Mexico, and their close proximity in location and time hampered preliminary recovery efforts. Flooding, high rainfall accumulation, landslides, and power outages were among the disruptions that took place there, adding up to $246 million in total damages.
After August, activity tapered off as conditions became less favorable for tropical cyclogenesis. In between Tropical Storms Newton and Paine was Hurricane Orlene, a Category 3 storm that became a gale-force extratropical cyclone and subsequently crossed into the Central Pacific. October featured two storms, Category 1 Iona and Category 4 Roslyn. The latter intensified at a rapid rate, only to unravel at a similar rate to which it had strengthened. The final system of the season, Tropical Seymour, formed on November 5 and degenerated into a remnant low on November 9, thus ending the 2022 season.
Systems[]
Tropical Storm Agatha[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | May 19 – May 21 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1006 mbar (hPa) |
An area of low pressure several hundred miles west of Central America was first noted by the NHC in its Tropical Weather Outlook on May 13. It produced some disorganized showers and thunderstorms, but it only had a short window to form before an increase in wind shear would occur. Because of this, the storm was initially not expected to form. However, its convective coverage began to increase as it traversed over warm waters. At 12:00 UTC on May 19, it was classified as a tropical depression based on a scatterometer pass that indicated a well-defined circulation. The storm steadily intensified while it could, shortly becoming Tropical Storm Agatha. Even though wind shear began to increase, the storm, maintained its gales for another 12 hours. However, as it finally began to succumb to wind shear, its wind speed decreased, with it weakening to a tropical depression later that day. Its circulation became increasingly elongated and lost definition as it trekked northwestward, and its convection continued to be sheared away. At 06:00 UTC on May 21, Agatha was downgraded to a remnant low because it had lost all its associated convection and no longer had a well-defined circulation. Agatha's remnants tracked in a rather steady direction for a little under a day until it had no longer possessed a trackable center.
Hurricane Blas[]
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | May 29 – June 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 150 mph (240 km/h) (1-min) 933 mbar (hPa) |
A disturbance was marked for possible tropical development by the NHC on May 23. As it drifted westward, organization steadily increased, and its chances for developing followed suit. It turned northward and was on the verge of tropical cyclone status by May 28, producing plenty of deep convection but slightly lacking in the definition of its center. However, as it improved, it was designated Tropical Depression Two-E at 18:00 UTC on the 29th. In a little under a day, it intensified into a tropical storm and was assigned the name Blas following a scatterometer pass that indicated gales in the storm. Over the next day, it quickly strengthened due to mostly favorable conditions. It intensified into a Category 1 hurricane at 18:00 UTC on the 31st, soon developing an eye feature. As Blas continued to churn over warm waters, it strengthened further; in a span of 24 hours, its wind speed rapidly increased from 85 mph (130 km/h) to 125 mph (205 km/h). The continuance of ripe conditions resulted in it becoming a Category 4 hurricane and ultimately peaking with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h). However, an eyewall replacement cycle soon took place and initiated a weakening trend, along with gradually cooler waters and more wind shear. Its eye rapidly filled in due to the combination of the three factors, and its convection warmed significantly. In just 12 hours, its winds had decreased from 130 mph (215 km/h) to 90 mph (150 km/h). Another 12 hours later, Blas fell to tropical storm status and continued to weaken at a rapid pace. At 06:00 UTC on June 5, it fell to a tropical depression and became nearly devoid of convection, hanging on with sporadic bursts that maintained its tropical cyclone status for a few more advisories. Finally, 24 hours after having weakened to a depression, Blas was downgraded to a remnant low; it spun down over the next few days and eventually dissipated.
Tropical Storm Celia[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | June 13 – June 15 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1002 mbar (hPa) |
The NHC marked the possible development of a low-pressure area on June 6, stating that conducive conditions could allow for the formation of a tropical cyclone. The anticipated low formed three days later and gradually organized. By June 13, the area had a well-defined circulation with deep, organized convection and was thus designated the third tropical depression of the season. In the next 18 hours, it strengthened into Tropical Storm Celia. While forecasts did not predict it intensifying above its prevailing intensity due to wind shear, it managed to attain a peak intensity of 50 mph (85 km/h) and minimum pressure of 1002 mbar (29.59 inHg) before finally succumbing to the environmental hostility. While it maintained its peak for about 9 hours, it had developed a sheared appearance. Its center soon became exposed, and a weakening trend took place beginning at 03:00 UTC on June 15. Afterwards, Celia quickly deteriorated and fell to tropical depression status at 15:00 UTC since an ASCAT pass no longer indicated gale-force winds. It lost all of its convection about 12 hours later, being downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone at that time.
Celia and its remnants brought some rain and thunderstorms to Mexico, though the strongest of such remained just offshore. Despite this, minimal damage, and no fatalities, were reported.
Hurricane Darby[]
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | June 28 – July 3 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 100 mph (155 km/h) (1-min) 964 mbar (hPa) |
A low formed on June 21 and tracked in a mostly westward direction. Its coverage of showers and thunderstorms began to increase because of low wind shear and relatively warm waters, allowing it to coalesce into a tropical depression on at 06:00 UTC on June 28. Four-E strengthened into Tropical Storm Darby half a day later and gradually improved on its presentation due to a continuously favorable environment. By the end of the following day, satellite data indicated it had become a high-end tropical storm, and forecasts predicted it intensifying to a Category 1 hurricane before shear increased. At 06:00 UTC on the 30th, it attained hurricane status and had winds in excess of 80 mph (130 km/h). At 00:00 the next day, Darby intensified further, against most forecasts, and became a Category 2 storm. Shear shortly increased, however, and it maintained its peak for about 6-12 more hours before starting to weaken. While an eye feature had initially begun to peek out, it quickly filled back in, and Darby's wind speed swiftly fell. Around 12:00 UTC, it weakened to Category 1 strength as its appearance became increasingly sheared. Another 12 hours afterwards, it became a tropical storm and lost some of its organization as it continued on a west-northwestward track. Its thunderstorm activity waned significantly, and Darby was considered "barely a tropical cyclone" by July 3. It weakened further into a tropical depression later that day, with almost all convection having been lost. Finally, at 00:00 UTC on the 4th, it degenerated into a remnant low.
Hurricane Estelle[]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | July 7 – July 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min) 988 mbar (hPa) |
- Main article: Hurricane Estelle (2022 - Zeta)
A tropical wave crossed Mexico on July 1 and was marked by the National Hurricane Center for possible tropical development. It organized into a tropical depression at 00:00 UTC on July 7 after a scatterometer pass found a well-defined circulation. In a special update at 10:15 UTC, it was upgraded to a tropical storm and named Estelle after more satellite data discovered tropical storm-force winds inside the system. Even though moderate wind shear was expected to keep Estelle weak, it managed to quickly strengthen and deepen. It took advantage of a gap in wind shear in order to reach hurricane status at 00:00 UTC on July 9; while the shear had begun to increase soon after, it held steady and remained a hurricane for an entire day before finally starting to succumb to it. The increasingly strong shear ultimately induced rapid weakening, with it falling to a minimal tropical storm in just 18 hours. Its circulation had rapidly lost definition as well, and it simultaneously lost its gales and transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone. The remnants of Estelle spun down and eventually dissipated shortly thereafter.
Even though Estelle did not make landfall anywhere, its track parallel to Mexico produced widespread rainfall accumulation. Some flooding was reported, and $2 million (2022 USD) in damages occurred. One death also resulted from said flooding.
Tropical Storm Frank[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | July 8 – July 10 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1012 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave several hundred miles west of Mexico became Tropical Depression Six-E at 00:00 UTC on July 8. Very strong wind shear had plagued the storm and exposed its center, so the NHC forecasted it to remain a depression for another 12 hours or so before dissipating. However, it persisted longer than expected, with sporadic convective bursts around the center maintaining its status as a tropical cyclone. At 06:00 UTC on the 9th, a scatterometer pass unexpectedly found gale-force winds near the center, prompting an upgrade to Tropical Storm Frank despite it having an exposed low-level circulation. Frank quickly weakened back to a depression due to continuous wind shear, still retaining its tropical cyclone designation by persistently producing convection close to the center. Regardless of these convective bursts, its center remained exposed the majority of the time because the convection was sheared away from it. As it traversed into cooler waters on the 10th, however, much of this convection warmed. At 12:00 UTC on July 10, Frank finally succumbed to the extremely strong wind shear and dissipated.
Tropical Storm Hone[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 2 – August 6 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 65 mph (100 km/h) (1-min) 994 mbar (hPa) |
- Main article: Tropical Storm Hone (Zeta)
A tropical wave crossed into the Central Pacific basin on July 30. It was monitored for tropical development because of warm ocean temperatures ahead and low-to-moderate wind shear. At 06:00 UTC on August 2, it was classified Tropical Depression One-C due to sufficiently deep convection and a well-defined circulation. Later that day, it became Tropical Storm Hone, making it the first named storm to form in the Central Pacific Ocean since Ema of 2019. As it traversed west-northwest, it strengthened into a robust tropical storm, peaking with winds of 65 mph (100 km/h) at 18:00 UTC on the 3rd. Afterwards, variations in environmental favorability led to some fluctuations in intensity. Over the next day or so, Hone's winds bottomed out at 50 mph (85 km/h), but following a recovery, peaked again with 65 mph (100 km/h) winds. Eventually, however, a more significant increase in wind shear caused it to deteriorate more quickly. At 18:00 UTC on August 5, Hone weakened to a tropical depression and became nearly devoid of convection. The following day, it became a remnant low and gradually turned north, then northeast, eventually being absorbed into the circulation of an extratropical low.
Hone was the first named storm to form in the Central Pacific since 2019's Tropical Storm Ema. It, along with its remnants, produced rain across Hawaii; however, overall damage was minimal.
Hurricane Georgette[]
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 4 – August 15 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min) 941 mbar (hPa) |
At 00:00 UTC on August 4, a tropical depression formed from a disturbance off of Mexico, consolidating into Tropical Storm Georgette shortly thereafter. Cool waters prevented intensification for some time, causing it to remain a minimal tropical storm for around a day. However, its environment soon became very favorable, and it initiated a rapid intensification phase. In a 24-hour period, Georgette strengthened from a minimal tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane. After another 24 hours, it strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h). It peaked at 00:00 UTC on August 8 with a top wind speed of 145 mph (230 km/h) and gusts to 165 mph (270 km/h); however, an eyewall replacement cycle took place around 12 hours afterwards that caused it to weaken. Georgette had also passed over a pool of cooler waters, with both aforementioned factors contributing to a weakening trend. The storm had ultimately fallen to Category 2 status before recovering and entering warmer waters again, allowing it to intensify a second time. It steadily strengthened, ultimately peaking at Category 4 strength again. This second peak was accompanied with a sustained wind speed of 130 mph (215 km/h) and minimum pressure of 948 mbar (27.99 inHg). Eventually, gradually cooler waters and increasingly strong wind shear caused it to weaken once more. On August 14, Georgette crossed into the Central Pacific area of responsibility as a Category 1 hurricane at around 06:00 UTC; it initiated an extratropical transition shortly thereafter and weakened to a tropical storm, lingering for another day and a half before becoming a fully extratropical cyclone.
Hurricane Howard[]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 8 – August 11 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 80 mph (130 km/h) (1-min) 983 mbar (hPa) |
- Main article: Hurricane Howard (2022 - Zeta)
An area of low pressure formed south of Oaxaca, Mexico and trudged west-northwestward. It was designated Invest 94E due to a conducive environment ahead, with it organizing into a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC on August 8. It continued to steadily organize, and the convection around the center increased. A day later, it intensified into Tropical Storm Howard and slowly turned eastward as it swiftly strengthened. Howard's convection was rather asymmetrical, causing a somewhat lopsided appearance on satellite imagery. At 18:00 UTC on the 10th, reconnaissance aircraft found that the storm had intensified into a Category 1 hurricane as it neared Mexico. Its forward speed accelerated towards the coast, and its peak intensity coincided with its landfall, having winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a pressure of 983 mbar (29.03 inHg). Due to land interaction and rough terrain, it weakened extremely quickly, falling to minimal tropical storm status in 6 hours and becoming a remnant low shortly thereafter.
Howard's thunderstorm activity was widespread and caused significant rainfall accumulation, with around 6-9" of rain in many places. Flash floods were reported, along with landslides. In total, there were 3 deaths and $118 million (2022 USD) in damage.
Tropical Storm Ivette[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 14 – August 18 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 45 mph (75 km/h) (1-min) 1007 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave from western Africa entered the Eastern Pacific basin on August 8. It moved in a steady northwestward direction, coalescing into a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC on August 14. Its broad structure caused it to organize slowly, but gale-force winds were found in the storm by midday on the 15th; this marked its designation as Tropical Storm Ivette. A little under a day afterwards, it attained its peak intensity of 45 mph (75 km/h) before somewhat cooler waters and stronger shear caused it to weaken. Ivette's wind speeds proceeded to drop to those of a minimal tropical storm, and it lingered for the next day at this intensity. Convection became increasingly sparse, in part due to some of it being sheared away; the intensity of these storms had also decreased because of said cooler sea surface temperatures. The significantly-shallowing cloud tops meant that its status as a tropical cyclone was called into question, but regardless, the NHC continued to regard it as one. The storm's status was downgraded to a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC on the 17th; however, it was operationally re-classified as a low. Following Ivette's post-season analysis, its tropical cyclone status was maintained for another 12 hours before finally degenerating into a remnant low.
Tropical Storm Javier[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 15 – August 18 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1005 mbar (hPa) |
Another disturbance, located northwest of the precursor to Ivette, was also monitored by the NHC for possible development. It initially struggled to improve its organization due to the effects of wind shear, but it became a tropical depression at 06:00 UTC on August 15. For the following 30 hours, it remained at the aforementioned intensity but gradually deepened. After this time frame, the system was then marked a tropical storm, being given the name Javier. It started to turn west-northwestward and strengthened due to a mostly conducive surrounding environment. Satellite data supported a peak intensity of 50 mph (85 km/h) at 06:00 UTC on the 17th. However, increasingly stronger wind shear, partially caused by the nearby Tropical Storm Ivette, prevented Javier from intensifying any more despite forecasts that it would do so. While it had remained over somewhat warm waters and produced deep convection around the center, its appearance continually deteriorated as a result of the shear. This prompted weakening, the pace of which further increased as it ventured into cooler waters. Javier developed a ragged appearance on satellite imagery and weakened to a minimal tropical storm by 00:00 UTC on the 18th. It finally fell to a tropical depression another 18 hours later, becoming a remnant low quickly afterwards due to it becoming entirely devoid of convection. Over the following day, the storm's remnants spun down and dissipated.
Hurricane Kay[]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 20 – August 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 75 mph (120 km/h) (1-min) 990 mbar (hPa) |
- Main article: Hurricane Kay (2022 - Zeta)
On August 13, a tropical wave crossed into the basin and produced sporadic clusters of convection over the next few days. It curved northeast for a short period of time and formed into a tropical depression west of Jalisco at 12:00 UTC on August 20. A little under twelve hours later, the absence of strong wind shear allowed for it to become Tropical Storm Kay. It turned back north-northwestward, towards the Baja California peninsula, and swiftly gained strength. Its bands reached well into the peninsula and Sinaloa, resulting in sustained tropical storm-force winds and higher gusts. Kay briefly became a minimal hurricane before abruptly weakening back to tropical storm status; this was attributed to land interaction and a gradual increase in wind shear. Tropical Storm Kay continued to approach landfall but became further disorganized; ultimately, it struck Baja California Sur with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a pressure of 998 mbar (29.47 inHg). It rapidly unraveled thereafter, falling to tropical depression status just prior to emerging back over the ocean. After its circulation was determined to no longer have been well-defined, it was marked a remnant low another 6 hours afterwards.
Kay's winds caused damage across numerous portions of western mainland Mexico and Baja California. Significant inundation was reported, with storm surge totals up to 6 ft. Areas in the general vicinity of the storm saw around 5-8 inches (127-203.2 mm) of rainfall, but it neared 12 inches (304.8 mm) in certain places that faced more torrential bands from the storm. Power outages and landslides resulted from strong winds and this flooding, causing further damage. Within Kay's immediate landfall location, many structures were damaged or destroyed, and a gust to 93 mph (150 km/h) was recorded. Overall, Kay caused $80 million in damages and was responsible for 7 fatalities.
Hurricane Lester[]
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 22 – September 1 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 145 mph (230 km/h) (1-min) 938 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave in the Atlantic Ocean fractured into two pieces. The southern portion crossed into the eastern Pacific and developed a low pressure area, developing into a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC on August 22. Long-term forecasts anticipated it gradually strengthening into a Category 2 hurricane, citing warm water temperatures and low wind shear. 18 hours after formation, Tropical Storm Lester was named, and over the following few days, it entered a robust intensification trend. On August 24, as a high-end tropical storm, an eyewall was noted to have been forming on satellite imagery. Later that day, Lester became a Category 1 hurricane, and the eye feature warmed and made itself more apparent. In addition, the eyewall had closed off entirely. Another 18 hours later, at 12:00 UTC on the 25th, it attained Category 2 status and quickly intensified further. Early on August 26, Lester became a major hurricane. The day afterwards, it attained its first peak intensity of 130 mph (215 km/h) just as an eyewall replacement cycle took place. This caused it to weaken back to a Category 3 storm, and its eye temporarily disappeared from imagery.
After completing its eyewall replacement cycle, a new and larger eye emerged; its wind field also expanded as a result. The storm began to intensify for a second time because of a respite in wind shear that would, however, prove short-lived. Nevertheless, it reached its second and ultimate peak as a Category 4 hurricane a second time, but this time with winds of 145 mph (230 km/h). At this point in time, Lester featured extremely intense convection around the circular eye, with prolific lightning and high-reaching cloud tops. In addition, mesovortices had temporarily been noted inside, along with impressive spiral banding features. 6 hours after peak, the storm began to rapidly weaken due to an abrupt increase in wind shear and a subsequent dry air intrusion. Its eye became clouded, and its wind speed fell below major hurricane status at 00:00 UTC on August 29. Half a day later, it became a Category 1 hurricane and slowly turned northwestward. While the eye had dissipated by this time, the storm still fruitlessly attempted to reorganize despite strong wind shear taking a toll on it. At 12:00 UTC on the 30th, Lester fell to tropical storm strength and began to transition into an extratropical cyclone. By around 15:30 UTC the following day, it crossed into the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of responsibility and was well on its way to losing tropical cyclone status. At 12:00 UTC on September 1, Lester finally became fully extratropical as it merged with a front.
Hurricane Madeline[]
| Category 2 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | August 25 – August 29 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 105 mph (165 km/h) (1-min) 966 mbar (hPa) |
- Main article: Hurricane Madeline (2022 - Zeta)
A disturbance southwest of Mexico produced disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity that slowly coalesced as it moved westward. At 09:00 UTC on August 25, it was designated the thirteenth tropical depression of the season. Shortly thereafter, the discovery of gales prompted the NHC to upgrade its status to a tropical storm, thus naming it Madeline. Continuing westward at a sluggish pace, it steadily organized further and intensified, attaining hurricane status 30 hours later. The vigorous convection around the center intensified in response to high sea surface temperatures, allowing for further strengthening. Shortly thereafter, Madeline began to recurve east and reached Category 2 intensity; its eye was apparent on satellite views and continually warmed as conditions permitted. The storm eventually peaked with winds of 105 mph (165 km/h) and maintained this strength for a full day before it simultaneously ventured into colder waters and began to face moderate wind shear. The combination of the two induced weakening, making it fall to a Category 1 hurricane as it accelerated towards Mexico. Just as it made landfall over extreme southern Sinaloa, it dipped below hurricane status; therefore, its landfall intensity was assessed with 70-mph (110 km/h) sustained winds. It also had a corresponding pressure of 992 mbar (29.29 inHg). The mountainous topography of the location meant that it unraveled extremely rapidly, dissipating entirely only 12 hours later. The remnants of the storm continued through much of Mexico, bringing stormy and windy conditions to much of the region.
While moderate damage was observed in Sinaloa and Nay, Madeline's intensity at landfall was overestimated in early forecasts because it was thought that its weakening pace would not have been as rapid. This, in turn, meant that damage was somewhat less significant than expected. The states Nay, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, and Jalisco all reported sustained tropical storm-force winds, and gusts were seen up to Category 2-hurricane force. Rainfall was significant, along with coastal storm surge; numerous buildings near beaches were severely damaged or destroyed, in part due to higher-than-normal sea levels. In addition, power outages were observed on a widespread scale. Rainfall totals lied generally within 4-7 inches (101.6-177.8 mm), while maximum accumulation was reported at 11.38 inches (289.1 mm). In all, Hurricane Madeline claimed 9 lives and cost $48 million in damage.
Tropical Storm Newton[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 7 – September 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min) 1010 mbar (hPa) |
West of Mexico, a disturbance was being tracked for possible development into a tropical cyclone. Its broad circulation led to some problems with organizing at first, so confidence remained on the low side for any formation of the system. However, as wind shear abated some and its circulation tightened up, it managed to improve its structure. At 00:00 UTC on September 7, it became a tropical depression because it contained sufficient convection and had a well-defined center. Twelve hours later, it intensified into Tropical Storm Newton because a scatterometer pass confirmed the existence of gales in the storm. Newton traversed northwestward with a steady decline in its satellite appearance because wind shear had increased, displacing some of its convection. As time went on, the system became decoupled and ragged-looking, and it weakened below tropical storm status at the beginning of the day on September 9. By 12:00 UTC the same day, Newton fell to a remnant low; however, it was still operationally maintained as a tropical cyclone in advisories until another 18 hours later.
Hurricane Orlene[]
| Category 3 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 15 – September 21 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 120 mph (195 km/h) (1-min) 956 mbar (hPa) |
A tropical wave slowly drifted across the East Pacific with little change in appearance. Its shower and thunderstorm activity were confined to a small area due to relatively unfavorable ocean temperatures and wind shear. After the hostile conditions let up somewhat, the convection expanded, and its circulation became better-defined. It underwent tropical cyclogenesis, being designated a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC on September 15. Twelve hours later, it was upgraded to tropical storm status and was assigned the name Orlene. Traveling in a northwest direction, the storm strengthened gradually due to the influence of slight shear and somewhat warm sea surface temperatures. Orlene then became a hurricane at 18:00 UTC on the 17th and executed an anticyclonic loop. As conditions improved further, its intensification pace soon crossed the rapid intensification threshold, with its winds increasing from 85 mph (140 km/h) to 120 mph (195 km/h) in 24 hours. This meant that it had attained major hurricane status, and it soon reached its ultimate peak intensity with the aforementioned sustained winds and a pressure of 956 mbar (28.23 inHg). Although Orlene's convection was somewhat lopsided, its circular eye feature was very apparent on satellite imagery. However, as it ventured into cooler waters and faced stronger shear, some of the convection around the eye waned, and it began to weaken. At 18:00 UTC on the 19th, it dipped below Category 3 status and turned northwest. The eye itself cooled significantly and became cloud-obscured, ultimately closing in. Eventually, Orlene fell to tropical storm status and initiated an extratropical transition, completing it early on the 21st. As it accelerated, it entered the Central Pacific basin and fluctuated in intensity over the next few days.
Tropical Storm Paine[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | September 20 – September 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min) 1004 mbar (hPa) |
Another tropical wave emerged from Central America on September 10. It developed an associated low-pressure area over the coming days, and its circulation became increasingly well-defined. This led to the formation of a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC on September 20, after a scatterometer pass found that it met all the necessary qualifications to be a tropical cyclone. Early the following day, it became Tropical Storm Paine and curved north-northeast. It eventually strengthened to reach winds of 50 mph (85 km/h), but its sluggish motion led to some upwelling; this later contributed to weakening. Paine's circulation broadened somewhat as it continued through relatively cooler waters, and the thunderstorm activity struggled to maintain itself. Due to this, satellite intensity estimates decreased, and the National Hurricane Center downgraded it to a minimal tropical storm. By 00:00 UTC on the 23rd, it fell to tropical depression status, and it was nearly devoid of convection. After further deterioration of environmental conditions, it became a post-tropical cyclone and pushed through the Baja California peninsula the day afterwards.
Hurricane Iona[]
| Category 1 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 5 – October 8 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 85 mph (140 km/h) (1-min) 979 mbar (hPa) |
A disturbance in the eastern Central Pacific basin was being watched by the CPHC for possible tropical development while it drifted west. Over the next few days, it decelerated and slowly acquired tropical characteristics due to sufficiently warm waters and a favorable shear environment. Then located southwest of Hawaii, it began to turn northward and transitioned into a tropical depression at 18:00 UTC on October 5. Initially broad and relatively disorganized, its circulation began to contract somewhat. At 06:00 UTC the following day, it intensified into a tropical storm and was assigned the name Iona. As it steadily started to recurve to the northeast, it strengthened more in its conducive environment, becoming a high-end tropical storm a little under a day later. At 18:00 UTC on the 7th, Iona became a Category 1 hurricane after satellite estimates indicated such an intensity. Its eye was evident on imagery, though an indication of an extratropical transition also occurred soon thereafter; this was likely initiated because it had begun to move into cooler waters. While it accelerated eastward, it briefly attained a peak intensity of 85 mph (140 km/h) before weakening due to said transition. In doing so, its pressure dropped further, eventually bottoming out at 979 mbar (28.91 inHg) before it completed its transition into a potent hurricane-force extratropical cyclone. It weakened as it sped eastward but lingered for several days, eventually dissipating entirely on October 13.
Hurricane Roslyn[]
| Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | October 18 – October 23 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 130 mph (215 km/h) (1-min) 947 mbar (hPa) |
On October 9, a tropical wave emerged into the East Pacific basin. It glided northwestward but initially struggled to develop due to strong wind shear. Confidence in any tropical cyclogenesis of the storm remained low in the short term due to this, but it was noted that a brief but much more favorable environment could present itself later down the line. After the wind shear abated, its convection blossomed, with it consolidating into a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC on October 18. It began to rapidly intensify due to very warm ocean temperatures and a lack of shear; six hours after formation, it had been named Tropical Storm Roslyn. Only 18 hours afterwards, it obtained Category 1 hurricane status. While turning west, it continued to quickly gain strength; in the following 30 hours, its sustained wind speeds skyrocketed from 75 mph (120 km/h) to 130 mph (215 km/h) at 18:00 UTC on the 20th, making it a Category 4 hurricane. In this time, it had developed a small but fragile pinhole eye, and the storm's maximum winds were confined to a small portion of the eyewall. Roslyn's Category-4 peak proved to be very short-lived, however, because a return in wind shear and a dry air intrusion caused it to dip back to Category 3 strength quickly. It struggled to recoup its eye and ultimately failed to do so because the environment become increasingly hostile. Roslyn turned southwest and continued to deteriorate, falling to a Category 1 hurricane at 00:00 UTC on October 22. Soon afterwards, it became a tropical storm once more, and its thunderstorm activity was noted as remarkably less intense than before. 18 hours later, it weakened back into a depression and eventually opened up into a trough.
Tropical Storm Seymour[]
| Tropical storm (SSHWS) | |
  | |
| Duration | November 5 – November 9 |
|---|---|
| Peak intensity | 60 mph (95 km/h) (1-min) 1001 mbar (hPa) |
Seymour's origins can be traced to a disturbance located in the central East Pacific. Moderate wind shear meant that its development was slow; it experienced difficulty with closing off its circulation and producing enough convective activity near the center. However, on November 5, a scatterometer pass found that its circulation was closed; in addition, satellite imagery indicated that its thunderstorm activity was sufficiently deep. Because of this, it was declared a tropical depression at 12:00 UTC on that day. The storm continued to organize gradually, becoming Tropical Storm Seymour 18 hours after formation. While conditions were not particularly favorable, Seymour managed to attain high-end tropical storm status, with winds of 60 mph (95 km/h), for just under a day. However, as it inched towards the Central Pacific basin, wind shear increased and displaced its convection; additionally, the sea surface temperatures gradually decreased along its path. While it crossed into the CPHC's area of responsibility, it began to weaken. Its thunderstorm activity waned, with portions of it dissipating completely. Satellite data failed to find gales within the storm early on November 9, prompting it to be downgraded to tropical depression status at that time. Half a day later, it became entirely devoid of convection, marking its degeneration into a remnant low.
Storm names[]
The following list of names was used for storms that formed in the Eastern Pacific basin in 2022. Because there are six alternating lists, this list was used again in 2028.
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For storms that exist under the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's area of supervision, between 140th meridian west and the International Dateline, names are taken from four lists that are rotated without regard to year. The next four names that were up for use in the 2022 season are listed below, though only two of them ended up being assigned to storms in this time period.
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Season effects[]
Below is a table of every storm that formed in the 2022 Pacific hurricane season, including their names, damage, duration, and death tolls. Deaths include both direct and indirect fatalities (one example of an indirect death would be a death caused from preparing for the storm). All damage and death totals include when the storm system was extratropical, a wave, or a low. Every damage figure is in 2022 USD.
| Storm name |
Dates active | Storm category
at peak intensity |
Max 1-min wind mph (km/h) |
Min. press. mbar |
Areas affected | Damage (USD) |
Deaths
| |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agatha | May 19–21 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1006 | None | None | None | |||
| Blas | May 29 - June 6 | Category 4 hurricane | 150 (240) | 933 | None | None | None | |||
| Celia | June 13–15 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1002 | Western Mexico, Baja California Peninsula | Minimal | None | |||
| Darby | June 28 - July 3 | Category 2 hurricane | 100 (155) | 964 | None | None | None | |||
| Estelle | July 7–10 | Category 1 hurricane | 75 (120) | 988 | Western Mexico, Baja California Peninsula | $2 million | 1 | |||
| Frank | July 8–10 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1013 | None | None | None | |||
| Hone | August 2–6 | Tropical storm | 65 (100) | 994 | Hawaii | Minimal | None | |||
| Georgette | August 4–15 | Category 4 hurricane | 145 (230) | 941 | None | None | None | |||
| Howard | August 8–11 | Category 1 hurricane | 80 (130) | 983 | Western Mexico, Baja California Peninsula, Northwestern Mexico | $118 million | 2 (1) | |||
| Ivette | August 14–18 | Tropical storm | 45 (75) | 1007 | None | None | None | |||
| Javier | August 15–18 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1005 | None | None | None | |||
| Kay | August 20–23 | Category 1 hurricane | 75 (120) | 990 | Baja California Sur, western Mexico | $80 million | 5 (2) | |||
| Lester | August 22 - September 1 | Category 4 hurricane | 140 (220) | 938 | None | None | None | |||
| Madeline | August 25–29 | Category 2 hurricane | 105 (165) | 966 | Western Mexico, Northwestern Mexico | $48 million | 4 (5) | |||
| Newton | September 7–9 | Tropical storm | 40 (65) | 1010 | None | None | None | |||
| Orlene | September 15–21 | Category 3 hurricane | 120 (195) | 956 | None | None | None | |||
| Paine | September 20–23 | Tropical storm | 50 (85) | 1004 | Baja California Peninsula | None | None | |||
| Iona | October 5–8 | Category 1 hurricane | 85 (140) | 979 | None | Minimal | None | |||
| Roslyn | October 18–23 | Category 4 hurricane | 130 (215) | 947 | None | None | None | |||
| Seymour | November 5–9 | Tropical storm | 60 (95) | 1001 | None | None | None | |||
| Season aggregates | ||||||||||
| 20 systems | May 19 - November 9 | 150 (240) | 933 | $248 million | 20 | |||||
See also[]
- Tropical cyclones in 2022 (Zeta)
- 2022 Atlantic hurricane season (Zeta)
- 2022 Pacific typhoon season (Zeta)
- 2022 North Indian Ocean cyclone season (Zeta)
- South-West Indian Ocean cyclone seasons: 2021-22, 2022-23
- Australian region cyclone seasons: 2021-22, 2022-23
- South Pacific cyclone seasons: 2021-22, 2022-23