| Category 6 Extreme Hurricane | |
|---|---|
 Forecast map | |
| Formed | September 27, 2024 |
| Dissipated | December 1, 2024 |
| (Extratropical after November 9, 2024) | |
| (Remnant low after November 9, 2024) | |
| Duration | 42 days |
| Highest winds | 225 MPH |
| Lowest pressure | 865 millibars |
| Fatalities | 190,876 |
| Damage | $3 trillion |
| Areas affected | California, Oregon, Washington, West Coast of the United States, Central America, and Carribean |
| Part of the 2024 Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season and 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season | |
Hurricane Kyle of 2024 also known as the Great Californian and West Coast Hurricane of 2024 was a Category 6 Extreme Hurricane that struck California and the West Coast in October of 2024. This storm caused $3 trillion in damages and 190,876 deaths making it the deadliest Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Hurricane and most destructive in History. This storm also produced a Historic tornado outbreak in California which included a 4 mile wide 400 MPH monster EF5 tornado. In preparation for this storm the NHC issued Watches and warnings for several Central American Countries. In addition, this system prompted the issuance of the 1st ever Hurricane Watches for California, Oregon, and Washington. It also prompted the 1st ever Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings for these areas as well.
Metrological history[]
Map plotting the Track and Strength of Hurricane Kyle according to the SSHWS.
On September 22, 2024 the National Hurricane Center began to monitor a Tropical wave located over West Africa for potential tropical cyclogenesis over the Next 7 days. The wave was given a 30% chance of formation. Thus far, 2024 had been slow. However after Kyle, 24 more storms would form continuing until January of 2025. Kyle also racketed up 143.75 units of ACE lasting an astonishing 42 days. This broke Cyclone Freddy's record of 37 days as a Tropical cyclone.
The National Hurricane Center began to monitor Kyle's precursor tropical wave on September 22, 2024. On September 24 the wave began to develop producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The NHC designated Invest 93L on September 25 2024 with a 70% Chance of development in 48 hours and 90% within 5 days. On September 29, 2024 the wave developed into Tropical Depression 12L with winds of 35 MPH. On September 30 the Depression was upgraded into a tropical storm and was given a name... Kyle. This name would letter be remembered and infamous. Kyle continued moving Westwards slowly gaining strength. On October 1st Kyle was upgraded into a Hurricane. This storm would last more than 42 days. On October 2nd Kyle began a period of rapid intensification reaching winds of 110 MPH by 11 PM that night. On October 3rd 2024 Kyle reached Category 5 status with 165 MPH winds exploding in intensity by 55 MPH in 12 hours. The storm reached an Initial peak of 185 MPH on October 4, 2025.
Map showing wind Alerts issued when Kyle impacted the West Coast as Hurricane warnings and Tropical Storm Warnings.
Tornado Alerts shown below. Note Tornado Warnings are issued.
On October 4th, 2024 Kyle reached an Initial Peak strength with 185 MPH winds and a pressure of 899 millibars. Then Kyle weakened due to a Eyewall replacement Cycle. This Eyewall replacement cycle was finished as Kyle made it's first landfall on Jamaica as a Category 5 with 160 MPH winds and a pressure of 917 mbar on October 6, 2024. Kyle then degenerated into a Remnant low on October 8, 2024 as it crossed into the Eastern Pacific Basin.
Regeneration in the Eastern Pacific[]
The NHC began to track the remnants of Kyle for redevelopment on October 9, 2024. The system redeveloped into a Tropical Depression on October 11, 2024 with sustained winds of 35 MPH. The system restrengthens into a Tropical Storm on October 12, 2024 with sustained winds of 45 MPH. On October 12, 2024 the system began a round of Rapid intensification becoming a Hurricane late on October 12, 2024. The system began moving due North and intensified slowly into a Category 2 Hurricane on October 15, 2024 with sustained winds of 100 MPH.
Kyle regains Major Hurricane Status[]
On October 16, 2024 Kyle rapidly intensified into a Major Hurricane with sustained winds of 130 MPH. The system began to rapidly intensify again on October 18, 2024 reaching Category 5 Status with sustained winds of 165 MPH. Kyle gradually weakened due to an eyewall replacement cycle. Then the system regained Category 5 Status on October 22, 2024 with sustained winds of 175 MPH.
Kyle Gains Category 6 Status[]
On October 25, 2024 sustained winds of 200 MPH were recorded in Kyle by a RECON plane and thus Kyle was upgraded to a Category 6 Extreme Hurricane becoming the 1st Ever Category 6 Hurricane. The sustained winds continued increasing and Kyle reached peak intensity on October 27, 2024 with sustained winds of 225 MPH and a minimum central pressure of 865 millibars while approaching the coast of California.
Kyle makes Landfall near Los Angeles[]
At 05:30 UTC on October 28, 2024 Kyle's eyewall crossed the coast near Los Angeles prompting an Extreme Wind Warning for all of Southern California. This warning included the wording... "THIS IS A EXTREME WIND EMERGENCY FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!!!!!!" The system made landfall as a weaker Category 6 Hurricane with sustained winds of 215 MPH. The system caused catastrophic damage in Southern California before moving out to sea on October 29, 2024.
Text of the Extreme Wind Warning for Southern California[]
Bulletin-EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
National Weather Service San Diego and Los Angeles California
11:45 PM PDT October 28, 2024
The National Weather Service in San Diego California and the National Weather Service in Los Angeles California has issued an Extreme Wind Warning for
San Diego County in Far Southern California
Los Angeles County in Southern California
Orange County in Far Southern California
Imperial County in Far Southern California
Riverside County in Far Southern California
Ventura County in Southern California
Kern County in Southern California
Santa Barbara County in Southern California
San Luis Obispo County in Southern California
*Until 11:15 AM PDT Tomorrow morning
As of 11:45 PM PDT radar confirmed catastrophic extreme winds associated with the eyewall of Extreme Hurricane Kyle near Los Angeles moving onshore at 35 MPH. THIS IS AN EXTREME WIND EMERGENCY FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA!!!!!!! THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUTATION!!!!!!!!!
Hazard... Extreme winds associated with a Tropical Cyclone
Source... Radar Confirmed Threat
Sustained winds... Sustained winds between 200 and 215 MPH are occuring within the warned areas
Precautionary/Preparedness actions...
Take Cover NOW!!!!!!! Treat these imminent extreme winds associated with a Tropical Cyclone as if a violent tornado were approaching the area. Seek an sturdy shelter on the interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and protect yourself from flying debris.
Northern California Landfall... San Francisco California[]
The system then reemerged off the Coast of California and paralleled the coast of California for the next 2 days. It weakened down to a 150 MPH Category 4 Hurricane due to an eyewall replacement cycle. However Kyle would regain Category 5 Status on October 30, 2024. The system reached a secondary peak strength with 180 MPH winds on October 31, 2024 before making a catastrophic landfall near San Francisco as a Category 5 Hurricane. The system then moved back off the coast and produced catastrophic Storm surge. The people of California were devastated by this point so Kyle moved North to Oregon maintaining 175 MPH winds.
Text of the Extreme Wind Warning for San Francisco California[]
Bulletin-EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
National Weather Service San Francisco California
12:45 PM PDT October 31, 2024
The National Weather Service in San Francisco California has issued an Extreme Wind Warning for
The City and County of San Francisco in Northern California
Almeda County in Northern California
San Jose County in Northern California
San Mateo County in Northern California
Monterey County in Central California
*Until 8:45 PM PDT this evening
As of 12:45 PM PDT Radar confirmed extreme winds associated with the eyewall of Catastrophic Hurricane Kyle near the coast of San Francisco California moving onshore at 50 MPH. THIS IS A EXTREME WIND EMERGENCY FOR SAN FRANCISCO!!!!! THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION!!!!!!!!!
*Hazard... Extreme winds associated with a Tropical Cyclone
*Source... Radar Confirmed Threat
*Winds... Sustained winds between 160 and 180 MPH are occuring within the warned areas with gusts to 200 MPH.
Precautionary/Preparedness actions...
Take Cover NOW!!!!!!! Treat these imminent extreme winds associated with a Tropical Cyclone as if a violent tornado were approaching the area. Seek an sturdy shelter on the interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and protect yourself from flying debris.
Kyle tracks North... Oregon and Washington Impacts[]
Kyle paralleled the Coast of Oregon for 2 days maintaining 175 MPH winds. The system then made landfall near Portland at its tertiary peak intensity of 175 MPH/900 mbar. The system then prompted Extreme Wind Warnings for Oregon including Portland and caused another 500 billion in damage before moving back out to impact its final state. On November 30, 2024 Kyle made its final landfall as a Category 5 Hurricane on Seattle causing another trillion dollars in damages. The system weakened while moving inland and became post tropical over Canada on December 1, 2024.
Impact[]
Southern California[]
The Hurricane first impacted Southern California. The NWS urged people in the state to evacuate in this tweet about Kyle. Before Kyle impacted Southern California Hurricane and Storm Surge Warnings were issued 48 hours prior to impact,
"Californians should prepare to evacuate ahead of the catastrophic impacts expected from Kyle. #Kyle"
In Southern California winds reached a recorded speed of 200 MPH in Los Angeles. The storm also caused historic tornadoes devastating the Californian people before it had even arrived. Sustained winds reached 189 MPH in San Diego. The storm pushed a monster storm surge towards the coast. The surge caused catastrophic damage along the coast and peaked at 22 feet above normally dry ground. The system also caused catastrophic flooding with total rainfall amounts between 17 and 30 inches falling throughout it's path in Southern California. Sustained winds reached 192 MPH in Downtown Los Angeles. At LAX sustained winds exceeded 210 MPH with gusts to 225 MPH. Damage in Southern California totaled $900 billion in damage and 39,000 people were killed by the furious nature of the Hurricane.
Northern California[]
In Northern California, Kyle made landfall near San Francisco. The NWS urged people in the state to prepare for catastrophic hurricane conditions and warned Californians to evacuate if required. The NWS issued Hurricane Watches and Warnings 56 and 48 hours out respectively. A Storm Surge Warning was also issued for the Coast of Northern California.
In San Francisco the winds caused catastrophic damage. Sustained winds topped out at 165 MPH in the city as recorded by a Californian with gusts to 200 MPH. Such winds caused major damage to homes and businesses in the city. In Sacramento sustained winds topped at 110 MPH with gusts to 130 MPH. The winds caused major roof and structure damage in Sacramento. In San Francisco winds drove a 30 ft storm surge into the city. This storm surge washed out roads and destroyed numerous homes along the coast. The center of the city was spared the storm surge. In addition, before Kyle arrived an EF5 Tornado struck San Francisco and Oakland adding to the damage. San Francisco's downtown areas reported sustained winds of 180 MPH with gusts to 205 MPH. Oakland and San Jose received a 15 foot storm surge and 150 MPH winds. At the San Francisco International Airport sustained winds were recorded at 175 MPH during the peak of the storm. Oakland's sustained winds reached 165 MPH with gusts to 190 MPH.
In total Kyle caused $1.4 trillion in damage across California and 100,000 deaths from the ferocity of the monster Hurricane.