Category 4, the second-highest classification on the Saffir–Simpson scale,[nb 1] is used for tropical cyclones that have winds of 130–156 mph (209–251 km/h; 113–136 kn). The division of the eastern and central Pacific basins occurs at 140° W; the eastern Pacific covers area east of 140° W, while the central Pacific extends between 140° W to 180° W. Both basins' division points are at 66° N as a northern point and the equator as the southern point. As of 2024[update], 143 hurricanes have attained Category 4 status in the northeastern Pacific basins. This list does not include storms that also attained Category 5 status on the scale.
Numerous climatological factors influence the formation of hurricanes in the Pacific basins. The North Pacific High and Aleutian Low, usually present between January and April, cause strong wind shear and unfavorable conditions for the development of hurricanes. During its presence, El Niño results in increased numbers of powerful hurricanes through weaker wind shear, while La Niña reduces the number of such hurricanes through the opposite. Global warming may also influence the formation of tropical cyclones in the Pacific basin. During a thirty-year period with two sub-periods, the first between 1975 and 1989 and the second between 1990 and 2004, an increase of thirteen Category 4 or 5 storms was observed from the first sub-period.
Statistics and background
Tracks of all known Category 4 Pacific hurricanes from 1949 to 2011 in the central and eastern Pacific basins
On the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale, "Category 4" is the second-most powerful classification, with winds ranging between 130 and 156 mph (209 and 251 km/h; 113 and 136 kn). When these hurricanes make landfall, impacts are usually severe but are not as destructive as Category 5 hurricanes that come ashore.[1] The term "maximum sustained wind" refers to the average wind speed measured during the period of one minute at the height of 10 feet (3.0 m) above the ground. The windspeed is measured at that height to prevent disruption from obstructions. Wind gusts in tropical cyclones are usually approximately 30% stronger than the one-minute maximum sustained winds.[2]
The northeastern Pacific hurricane basins are divided into two parts – eastern and central. The eastern Pacific basin extends from all areas of the Pacific north of the equator east of 140° W, while the central Pacific basin includes areas north of the equator between 140° W and 180° W.[3] Both basins extend to the Arctic Circle at 66° N.[4]
When tropical cyclones cross from the Atlantic into the Pacific, the name of the previous storm is retained if the system continues to exhibit tropical characteristics; however, when hurricanes degenerate into a remnant low-pressure area, the system is designated with the next name on the rotating eastern Pacific hurricane naming list.[5]
Since 1900, 143 Category 4 hurricanes have been recorded in the eastern and central Pacific basins. Of these, fourteen have attained Category 4 status on more than one occasion, by weakening to a status on the Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale lower than Category 4 and later restrengthening into a Category 4. Such storms are demarcated by the dates they first attained and the final time they lost the intensity. Only four storms, Hurricane Fico in 1978, Hurricane Norbert in 1984, Hurricane Hector in 2018, and Hurricane Dora in 2023, reached Category 4 status three times or more.[6]
The track of Hurricane Sandra in 2015, which is the latest-forming Category 4 hurricane on record in the northeastern Pacific basin.
A total of 143 Category 4 hurricanes have been recorded in the eastern and central Pacific basins since 1900. Only two Category 4 hurricanes have been recorded in May, in addition to 14 in June, 25 in July, 31 in August, 32 in September, 20 in October, and two in November.[6] No Category 4 storms have developed during the off-season.[6] It is theorized that global warming was responsible for an increase of 13 Category 4 and 5 storms that developed in the eastern Pacific, from 36 in the period of 1975–1989 to 49 in the period of 1990–2004. It was estimated that if sea-surface temperatures ascended by 2 to 2.5 degrees, the intensity of tropical cyclones would increase by 6–10% internationally. During years with the existence of an El Niño, sea-surface temperatures increase in the eastern Pacific, resulting in an increase in activity as vertical wind shear decreases in the Pacific; the opposite happens in the Atlantic basin during El Niño, when wind shear increases creating an unfavourable environment for tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic.[8] Contrary to El Niño, La Niña increases wind shear over the eastern Pacific and reduces it over the Atlantic.[9]
The presence of a semi-permanent high-pressure area known as the North Pacific High in the eastern Pacific is a dominant factor against formation of tropical cyclones in the winter, as the Pacific High results in wind shear that causes environmental conditions for tropical cyclone formation to be unconducive. Its effects in the central Pacific basin are usually related to keeping cyclones away from the Hawaiian Islands. Due to westward trade winds, hurricanes in the Pacific nearly never head eastward, although several storms have defied the odds and headed eastward. A second factor preventing tropical cyclones from forming during the winter is the occupation of a semi-permanent low-pressure area designated the Aleutian Low between January and April. Its presence over western Canada and the northwestern United States contributes to the area's occurrences of precipitation in that duration. In addition, its effects in the central Pacific near 160° W causes tropical waves that form in the area to drift northward into the Gulf of Alaska and dissipate. Its retreat in late-April allows the warmth of the Pacific High to meander in, bringing its powerful clockwise wind circulation with it. The Intertropical Convergence Zone departs southward in mid-May permitting the formation of the earliest tropical waves,[4] coinciding with the start of the eastern Pacific hurricane season on May 15.[10]
Cooler waters near the Baja California peninsula are thought to prevent storms in the eastern Pacific from transitioning into an extratropical cyclone; as of 2009, only three storms listed in the database are known to have successfully completed an extratropical transition.[7]
Category 4 Pacific hurricanes
1950s
During the 1950s, there were three Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean. A dagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time.
† The storm noted formed or attained Category 4 status in the central Pacific basin but may have formed in the eastern Pacific basin
‡ The storm noted attained Category 4 status more than once
* The storm noted was both a Category 4 in the eastern and central Pacific basins
** The storm noted originated in the Atlantic basin, but later intensified into a Category 4 hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin
# Storms that attained Category 4 status at one point but intensified into Category 5 at a later time are not included.
As the Pacific hurricane database only goes back to 1949, the 1943 Mazatlán hurricane is not included, although it attained Category 4-equivalent winds at 136 mph (219 km/h). It is unknown if the winds observed were sustained.[6][13]
Storms that formed in the eastern or central Pacific but strengthened to reach Category 4 status in the western Pacific basin (west of 180° W) are not included.[14][15]
1970s
During the 1970s, there were 18 Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean. A dagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time.
† The storm noted formed or attained Category 4 status in the central Pacific basin but may have formed in the eastern Pacific basin
‡ The storm noted attained Category 4 status more than once
* The storm noted was both a Category 4 in the eastern and central Pacific basins
** The storm noted originated in the Atlantic basin, but later intensified into a Category 4 hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin
# Storms that attained Category 4 status at one point but intensified into Category 5 at a later time are not included.
1980s
During the 1980s, there were 23 Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean. A dagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time.
† The storm noted formed or attained Category 4 status in the central Pacific basin but may have formed in the eastern Pacific basin
‡ The storm noted attained Category 4 status more than once
* The storm noted was both a Category 4 in the eastern and central Pacific basins
** The storm noted originated in the Atlantic basin, but later intensified into a Category 4 hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin
# Storms that attained Category 4 status at one point but intensified into Category 5 at a later time are not included.
1990s
Hurricane Olivia, the most intense hurricane of the decade in terms of barometric pressureHurricane Pauline was one of the deadliest Pacific hurricanes to make landfall in Mexico.Memorial in Acapulco to honor the victims from Pauline
During the 1990s, there were 34 Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean. A dagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time. The most intense storms of the decade in terms of sustained winds were 1990's Hernan and Trudy with 155 mph (250 km/h). While the strongest hurricane in terms of barometric pressure was 1990's Trudy with 924 hPa (27.29 inHg).
† The storm noted formed or attained Category 4 status in the central Pacific basin but may have formed in the eastern Pacific basin
‡ The storm noted attained Category 4 status more than once
* The storm noted was both a Category 4 in the eastern and central Pacific basins
** The storm noted originated in the Atlantic basin, but later intensified into a Category 4 hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin
# Storms that attained Category 4 status at one point but intensified into Category 5 at a later time are not included.
2000s
Hurricane Juliette, the most intense Category 4 hurricane of the decade in terms of barometric pressure
During the 2000s, there were 14 Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean. A dagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time. The most intense storms of the decade in terms of sustained winds were 2000's Carlotta and 2009's Jimena with 155 mph (250 km/h). While the strongest hurricane in terms of barometric pressure was 2001's Juliette with 923 hPa (27.26 inHg).
† The storm noted formed or attained Category 4 status in the central Pacific basin but may have formed in the eastern Pacific basin
‡ The storm noted attained Category 4 status more than once
* The storm noted was both a Category 4 in the eastern and central Pacific basins
** The storm noted originated in the Atlantic basin, but later intensified into a Category 4 hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin
# Storms that attained Category 4 status at one point but intensified into Category 5 at a later time are not included.
2010s
Hurricane Odile, the most intense Category 4 hurricane of the decade in terms of barometric pressureBv. Paseo de La Marina in Cabo San Lucas the morning following Hurricane Odile
During the 2010s, there were 37 Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean. A dagger (†) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time. The most intense storms of the decade in terms of sustained winds were 2011's Dora, 2014's Amanda, 2015's Jimena, 2018's Hector, and 2019's Barbara at 155 mph (250 km/h), while the strongest hurricane in terms of barometric pressure was Odile with 918 hPa (27.11 inHg).
† The storm noted formed or attained Category 4 status in the central Pacific basin but may have formed in the eastern Pacific basin
‡ The storm noted attained Category 4 status more than once
* The storm noted was both a Category 4 in the eastern and central Pacific basins
** The storm noted originated in the Atlantic basin, but later intensified into a Category 4 hurricane in the eastern Pacific basin
# Storms that attained Category 4 status at one point but intensified into Category 5 at a later time are not included.
2020s
Hurricane Dora of 2023 is the strongest Category 4 Pacific hurricane of the decade so far by maximum sustained winds and tied with Hurricane Norma of 2023 as the most intense by minimum barometric pressure.
During the 2020s, there have been 14 Category 4 hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean. A double dagger (‡) denotes that the storm temporarily weakened below Category 4 intensity during the specified period of time. In terms of barometric pressure, the most intense Category 4 Pacific hurricanes of the decade so far have been Hurricane Dora and Hurricane Norma of 2023, each with a minimum pressure of 939 hPa (27.73 inHg); by the metric of maximum sustained winds, the strongest Category 4 Pacific hurricane of the decade to date is Hurricane Dora of 2023, peaking with sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h).
Of the 143 Category 4 hurricanes that have formed in the eastern and central Pacific basins, 33 have made landfall. Of them, five made landfall at Category 4 intensity, four at Category 3, thirteen at Categories 2 and 1, ten as tropical storms, and eight as tropical depressions. Several of these storms weakened slightly after attaining Category 4 status as they approached land;[6][13] this is usually a result of dry air, shallower water due to shelving, cooler waters, or interaction with land.[99]
^Though Hurricane Juliette of 2001 made a second landfall in October, it did so after it re-generated. The landfall is included in the "September" total but not the "October" total.
^Richard J. Pasch (May 31, 2015). Hurricane Andres Public Advisory Number 16. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^Dave Roberts (June 1, 2015). Hurricane Andres Discussion Number 18. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^Dave Roberts (June 1, 2015). Hurricane Andres Public Advisory Number 19. National Hurricane Center (Report). Miami, Florida: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^Richard J. Pasch and David P. Roberts (November 30, 2015). Hurricane Blanca(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
^Richard J. Pasch and David P. Roberts (October 27, 2015). Hurricane Dolores(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
^Richard J. Pasch and David P. Roberts (October 29, 2015). Hurricane Hilda(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
^Richard J. Pasch and David P. Roberts (January 20, 2016). Hurricane Ignacio(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
^Richard J. Pasch and David P. Roberts (January 29, 2016). Hurricane Sandra(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on February 16, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
^John P. Cangialosi (December 3, 2018). Hurricane Olivia(PDF) (Report). Tropical Cyclone Report. Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
^Latto, Andy; Powell, Jeff (May 25, 2021). Hurricane Douglas(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on April 16, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Pasch, Richard J.; Roberts, David P. (April 13, 2021). Hurricane Genevieve(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Papin, Philippe P. (February 18, 2021). Hurricane Marie(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Cangialosi, John P. (September 9, 2021). Hurricane Felicia(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Reinhart, Brad J.; Wroe, Derek; Houston, Sam (May 6, 2022). Hurricane Linda(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Bucci, Lisa (February 27, 2023). Hurricane Darby(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Papin, Philippe P. (March 9, 2023). Hurricane Orlene(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on July 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Berg, Robbie (February 15, 2023). Hurricane Roslyn(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Bucci, Lisa (March 5, 2024). Hurricane Dora(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
^Berg, Robbie (November 15, 2023). Hurricane Fernanda(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Reinhart, Brad J. (February 12, 2024). Hurricane Hilary(PDF) (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived(PDF) from the original on February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
^Wore, Derek (September 12, 2018). Tropical Storm Olivia Discussion Number 49. Central Pacific Hurricane Center (Report). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
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