With the 2023 hurricane season upon us, it is crucial to raise awareness about the potential damage these storms can inflict. Proper communication is key to ensuring the safety of both lives and property. Meteorologists estimate that during the Pacific hurricane season, there could be 13 storms, 6 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes of category 3 or higher. In the Atlantic, approximately 17 storms are expected, with 8 classified as hurricanes and 4 as major hurricanes. Here you will find all the news for the Pacific Hurricane Season 2023, including hurricanes that could impact the Puerto Vallarta area.
The names chosen for the 2023 Pacific hurricane season are Adrian, Beatriz, Calvin, Dora, Eugene, Fernanda, Greg, Hilary, Irwin, Jova, Kenneth, Lidia, Max, Norma, Otis, Pilar, Ramon, Selma, Todd, Veronica, Wiley, Xina, York, and Zelda. Meanwhile, the Atlantic hurricanes will be named Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harold, Idalia, José, Katia, Lee, Margot, Nigel, Ophelia, Philippe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince, and Whitney.
The Eastern Pacific Ocean is a breeding ground for tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, each year during the hurricane season (May 15 to November 30). The coast of Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta and other major coastal cities, are often in the path of these storms, although landfalls by severe hurricanes are not as frequent as in the Atlantic basin.
Here are some significant hurricanes and tropical storms that have impacted the Mexican Pacific coast, including Puerto Vallarta:
Hurricane Liza (1976): This storm is considered one of the deadliest in the history of the Pacific hurricane basin. Liza made landfall in Baja California Sur, and while it did not directly hit Puerto Vallarta, it caused severe damage in the regions it impacted, primarily due to flooding that led to a dam failure.
Hurricane Kenna (2002): Kenna is noted for its impact on Puerto Vallarta and other parts of the Pacific coast of Mexico. It reached Category 5 status and made landfall as a Category 4 storm near San Blas, causing significant property damage due to storm surge, heavy rains, and wind.
Hurricane Pauline (1997): Pauline was a devastating storm that made landfall near Acapulco, causing severe flooding and mudslides, leading to a large loss of life.
Hurricane Patricia (2015): Patricia stands out due to its record intensity, reaching peak winds of 215 mph over the ocean. However, it weakened significantly before making landfall near Cuixmala, south of Puerto Vallarta. The region was evacuated in advance, avoiding significant casualties.
Hurricane Odile (2014): Odile made landfall near Cabo San Lucas as a Category 3 hurricane. It was one of the most damaging hurricanes to affect Baja California Sur, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, including hotels, hospitals, and airports.
It’s important to note that hurricanes and tropical storms are complex events that can cause a wide range of impacts, including wind damage, flooding, landslides, and other secondary effects like disruption of services, food shortages, and disease outbreaks.
The frequency and severity of these events can also be influenced by broader climatic patterns such as El Niño and La Niña. For instance, El Niño conditions can enhance hurricane activity in the Eastern Pacific, leading to a higher-than-average number of storms.
For the most recent information on hurricanes in the Mexican Pacific coast, including impacts in Puerto Vallarta and other areas, it would be best to refer to the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service, or the local meteorological agencies in Mexico.
